"To every woman a happy ending."
("Barbie Doll" - Marge Piercy)
The central theme of this poem is: society's view of "perfection" can not be realized.
Evidence of imperfection exists throughout the poem. First of all, the girl is said to be a "fat nose on thick legs." In the poem, the girl is said to be intelligent, healthy, and strong. However, not one person looks past her looks. Also, the girl is said to be like a "fan belt" that wears out over time. This simile is appropriate because women in today's culture are seen as objects over and over again. Over time, this harsh view can wear away self confidence. This can eventually lead to the suicide of many young women. In the poem, the girl "cuts off her nose and legs." This overstatement serves to show that the young girl killed herself by ridding herself of her "imperfections." Unfortunately, many women see death as a happy ending away from all the pressures of life.
Today, society focuses way too much on looks. From magazine to tv shows, the perfect body is always flashed in young girl's faces. The author is criticizing society's view on women. This "perfect" image can never be accomplished realistically. This poem reminded me of an ad we watched in AP Spanish. When told to reflect on the commercial, I pretty much had the same reaction to the commercial as this poem. Anorexia, bulimia, self-confidence issues, and depression usually all boil down to one cause: societal pressure.
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