"Barbie"

Some months back, I did a project on Barbie culture, exploring the consumptions of norms and ideals of beauty.

Do you live a life like Barbie's?
Growing up, do you idolise or wish you can be Barbie and why?

Barbie Doll – Marge Piercy

This girlchild was born as usual

And presented dolls that did pee-pee

and miniature GE stoves and irons

and wee lipsticks the colour of cherry candy.

Then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said:

You have a great big nose and fat legs.

She was healthy, tested intelligent,

Possessed strong arms and back,

Abundant sexual drive and manual dexterity.

She went to and fro apologizing,

Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs.

She was advised to play coy,

Exhorted to come on hearty,

Exercise, diet, smile and wheedle.

Her good nature wore out

Like a fan belt,

So she cut off her nose and legs

And offered them up.

In the casket displayed on satin she lay

With the undertaker’s cosmetics painted on, a turned-up putty nose,

Dressed in a pink and white nightie.

Doesn’t she look pretty? Everyone said.

Consummation at last.

To every woman a happy ending.