Marge Piercy expresses her thoughts about a major issue that was evolving throughout the country during this time period in her poem “Barbie Doll”. This poem was written during the year of 1971, the moment that the second-wave feminism was happening and making changes throughout the United States. Second-wave feminism focused more on social and cultural issues for equal opportunities. Piercy wrote “Barbie Doll” to illustrate how women were looked at during that age in time. Knowing that this notorious historical movement would be a great writing opportunity, Piercy used it to her advantage to show society how women were being portrayed and that it should change. “Barbie Doll” reflects on the degraded role of women during the late 1900s, and through the use of diction Piercy illustrates how society views women. 

“Barbie Doll” was written during the time period where all women were fighting for their equal rights. Feminism is defined as the advocacy of women’s rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes (Hannam). Piercy used this historical moment to connect her poem with the world. She knew that writing about such a degrading topic for most women would grab their attention and make them realize they need to speak up for what they feel is right. During the year of 1971, which is when the book was written, is was when the second-wave feminism occurred. This focused more on the social and cultural barriers to equal opportunities (Tag Archives- Second Wave Feminism). Piercy based her poem on a strong, well-known historical topic that she knew would grab reader’s attention and get the people talking.

Throughout the poem Piercy uses diction to support her argument that people are degrading to women along with emphasizing the stereotypes that people had of women during this time period. Piercy wrote, “...presented dolls that did pee-pee and miniature GE stoves and irons and wee lipsticks the color of cherry red” (Piercy 348).  This statement is a perfect example of how people viewed women and their role in society. Talking about how they are there to cook, and play with dolls. Piercy does an excellent job of demonstrating what everyone expected of women during the 1900’s.  Piercy wrote, “She was healthy, tested intelligent, possessed strong arms and back, abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity” (Piercy 348). Here, it portrays a girl being stronger than what people think of her as and not the typical woman that people expect her to be. This is exactly what people who were involved in the feminist movement did, they tried to show society that women can do more than they expect and do not need to be this perfect figure that is all dolled up everyday. Piercy expressed her opinion on the subject very well by using specific word choice that portraed what all society thinks about what they would expect of women to do but turned it into a fight against that and trying to help women be who they are. 

The historical aspect of this poem helps shape the reading of the text because she uses real life examples of what people expected of women and turned it around into something people should be fighting against instead. “Women’s dresses became more and more elaborate, expanding outward to the grand hoop skirts of the middle of the century. Women were made into icons of sexual beauty in this period, put on a high pedestal of feminine beauty and motherly attributes” (The Past and Future of Women’s Role in America). In this article, there is discussion of how women were being put on a pedestal based on beauty and role as being a mother. This relates to “Barbie Doll” because Piercy does the same thing by showing women being looked at in only one-way and not another. Piercy wrote this poem to show that women can do more than just keep the house organized and playing a role of a perfect wife. She showed that women can work and are just as strong. Piercy wrote this during an era of when women needed to be heard right away and they needed to speak fast before it got out of hand. It was an era where women’s lives were being looked at like a trophy case. This should not be the case in any means. Women were being looked at as if they were not real humans and they should be a figure that people knew was not going to be realistic. People were trying to show this by making bold statements and arguments to be seen as equals. Piercy’s poem illustrates what people had expected of all women, to be a picture perfect human. The title of her poem perfectly portrays the message that Piercy is trying to get across that everyone should be looking like a perfect Barbie doll according to society. History of what people expected of women is perfectly illustrated in Marge Piercy’s poem “Barbie Doll”. 

 “Barbie Doll” is a poem is a perfect example to show society that everyone is equal and to be who they are. The title of this poem introduces exactly what people want to be and are expected to be. A Barbie doll has always been an idol and a figure that women across the world have idolized and wished to look like. This is most certainly not possible for all women to be “perfect.” Piercy shows this girl to be coming from a good-natured, and a warm heart background. No one seems to care about the important aspects of her but they criticize her for her looks. When society starts to look at people this way, people start to feel insecure and start to change themselves not for them but for society.  A world with this society is not something to be proud of or should be happening. Everyone needs to treat others based on their genuinity, not on their looks. Piercy does a great job with expressing how society is treating women based on their looks and not what they have to offer to society. “Barbie Doll” represents many flaws that were occurring in society during this era and over time has been turning around to not be based on gender roles and/or looks. 

Feminism has been a major issue in the world. Marge Piercy does an excellent job with showing what the world has been doing wrong and how it needs to change. People are being treated unfairly for gender sexism and for looks. This should not be the case under any circumstances for individuals in the world. Piercy used this historical era to put her voice out there and help women who need to be heard. She created the perfect title to really emphasize what people thought women should be. This historical information is shaped throughout the reading of her text and is used to express her concerns of the topic of feminism. 
