"Barbie Doll"
Address how the imagery in the poem could be updated for a more modern take on the female experience:
In the first stanza, the speaker is describing what kinds of toys girls used to get such as "dolls that did pee-pee." Today, girls get dolls like Bratz Dolls or the big Polly Pockets Dolls that are similar to small barbies. Also in this stanza the speaker mentions "stoves and irons" which don't really have a replacement in today's world of little girls' toys. Some girls still get this kinds of toys only they do more - such as make noises of running water from the play facet or boiling water on the stove.
In the second stanza, the speaker discusses girls having "strong arms and back." Today there is more emphasis on exercise and physical activity instead of playing video games or watching television indoors. Years before, kids did not have those kinds of toys so they were more active and were forced to entertain themselves. One of the things in this stanza that has not changed a whole lot is appearance. In line eleven, the speaker states, "Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs." Girls are constantly judging other girls based on appearance. Although there is more emphasis on being happy with what you have today, there is still some judging going on. Girls and women of all sorts are expected to be skinny before they can be beautiful.
in the third and final stanza, the speaker tells how a girl is advised to behave - coyly. The speaker goes on to say, "Her good nature wore out like a fan belt." This meaning that people can only take so much criticism before they have finally had enough and can not take it any longer. The speaker goes on to talk about the "casket" and the "undertaker's cosmedics" implying that a girl died. In lines twenty-four and twenty-five the speaker says, "Consummation at last. To every woman a happy ending." These last two lines are meaning that the ultimate end or finish is here.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
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