When looking at any social issue, there are many ways one could express their opinions. Certain societal problems are joked about, while others are portrayed as very serious. In “Barbie Doll”, by Marge Piercy, and “I am Sorry that I Didn’t Write a Comedy Piece”, by Wendy Molynuex, the issue of sexism is brought to the reader’s attention in two different ways. Similar to each other, gender roles and stereotypes are the topics discussed in these poems. The poems share a similar thematic message in the context of sexism, but are depicted in opposite styles. The opposition of styles between both poems can help the reader intensify the problematic legitimacy of one another. In one perspective, “Barbie Dolls” serious tone and tragic ending could initially be confusing to understand. However, after seeing the sarcastic, “fed-up”, tone of “I am Sorry that I Didn’t Write a Comedy Piece”, the ending of “Barbie Doll” could make more sense for a reader to grasp. In another perspective, Molynuex’s sarcastic tone towards sexism could be understood when reading “Barbie Doll”. The differences in styles and tones between these two poems is what makes the reader understand why each depicts the thematic message in an extreme way. The reader is able to learn through both the similarities and differences between each text how serious and extensive the issue of gender roles and gender stereotypes are in our society. 

As stated before, Molyneux and Piercy’s poems focus on sexism, specifically gender roles and stereotypes with females. The point behind “I am Sorry that I Didn’t Write a Comedy Piece” is that society assumes females have an inability to be funny. In “Barbie Doll”, it is shown that girls will not be recognized for intelligence or strength, but rather for looks. In comparison, both poems emphasize that woman are stated to lack any intellectual thinking. The young girl in “Barbie Doll” is presented with “miniature GE stoves and irons” (Piercy, 3). The young girl is seen with an iron in a kitchen setting. In relation, the young woman in Molyneux’s comedy piece says “My fondest hope is that the wafting smells of a home-cooked meal will lure men who are passing by to come inside and eat dinner” (Molyneux, 522). Similarly, the reader sees an image of a young woman who feels at home in a kitchen, waiting for a husband to take care of. Both texts stress the gender role society brings on females of being a typical housewife who irons, cooks, and who longs for a husband. Piercy and Molynuex target the shallow mindset of our society. The gender stereotype that is brought to attention in both texts is that females are expected to be “girly-girls”, with overly dainty and feminine qualities. This is shown in “Barbie Doll” when even after the girl kills herself, she is shown in a casket with makeup, dressed in pink, and considered pretty. “I am Sorry that I Didn’t Write a Comedy Piece” depicts this expectation when the young girl jokes about walking into her enormous closet because “women love to wear lots of expensive clothes and shoes all the time” (Molyneux, 522). It is certain that both authors wrote these poems with intention to expose society’s unrealistic and sexist expectations for females. The similarities within both poems emphasize the issue brought to the reader’s attention. Seeing relation to the stereotypes each poem sheds light on gives the reader realism to the truthfulness behind exaggerated female expectations. If one could understand the truth behind this societal problem, it will be easier to see the seriousness behind the authors message. 

The contrast between the poems could also assist in the understanding of each authors tone and thematic message. Although both authors focus on a similar thematic concept, getting the point across is accomplished in two different ways. “Barbie Doll” has a very serious tone and message. The poem centers around the harsh judgment of physical appearance that girls encounter their entire lives. Using sharp word choices like “fat nose on thick legs”, Piercy wants the tone to be dark. The poem escalates from a young girl’s insecurities to an eventual suicide, showing the reader how serious and thought out this message should be taken. In contrast, “I am Sorry that I Didn’t Write a Comedy Piece” shares the issue of sexism in a more light-hearted way. The writing is a satire and uses the mocking tone to treat the gender roles as more of a joke. Molynuex makes fun of the stereotypes that people associate with females that are not primarily based off of looks like “Barbie Doll”. Instead, she focused on stereotyped characteristics, such as a female waiting for a husband, cooking, knitting, and constantly crying. Another difference between these texts is the age range brought to attention. In “Barbie Doll”, the poem starts with a young girl and ends with a young woman. With this text the reader sees a young girl struggle with upholding unrealistic expectations in her transition through puberty. Molynuex’s comedy piece, however, is more focused on an older, more mature woman. Although the authors tone in each poem is shown in different styles, each individual technique guides in the interpretation of each authors message about sexism. 

The contrast in “Barbie Doll” helps the readers make sense of the tone in Molynuex’s comedy piece. Because “Barbie Doll” focuses on a young girl’s struggles, differentiated from the comedy piece where it is an older woman, it signifies that Molynuex has been dealing with the same sexist stereotypes she points out for her whole life. Molynuex’s sarcasm in her comedy piece is mocking of society and almost has a “fed-up” tone. Justifiably, Molynuex is sick and tired of hearing the same sexist ideas come from men her whole life. “Barbie Doll” shows that the expectations in a young child are eventually matured and still exist for a grown woman. Seeing this transition and gap between ages highlights Molynuex’s message into a less humorous, but more realistic and wide spread problem. Furthermore, through the comparison and differences between both poems, the reader can also see that “I am Sorry that I Didn’t Write a Comedy Piece” gives an explanation of the serious tone and dark ending we see in “Barbie Doll”. “Barbie Doll” focuses mainly on physical expectations put on females. However, the comedy piece factors in all the other characteristic stereotypes society expects in young woman. With all the gender roles, stereotypes, and sexist views shown between both poems, the issue at hand is taken seriously, and interpreted to be sadder. This signifies why “Barbie Doll” ended so tragically. Piercy’s purpose in ending her poem with a young girl’s suicide, was to emphasize the truth behind serious effects of these issues. 

The importance of each authors approach to address the issue is understood when looking at both poems in comparison and contraction. The reader can interpret the seriousness behind “Barbie Doll” by looking into the context of Molynuex’s comedy piece. Also, Molyneux’s sarcastic tone in “I am Sorry that I Didn’t Write a Comedy Piece” has more understanding when seeing the perspective of a young girl in “Barbie Doll”. Although both authors used different styles and tones to support their views on sexism, the overall goal was the same. Both Marge Piercy and Wendy Molynuex had an objective to end ignorance with society and bring attention to the separation in genders, sexist stereotypes, and absurd expectations brought on females. 