The poem “Barbie Doll (1969)” by Marge Piercy describes the life of a young girl who is a victim of the idea of the beauty of society. Marge Piercy was a known social activist and uses this poem to bring attention to serious issues facing young women in society. In the first stanza, the author begins the poem by introducing a little girl. In the first line of the poem, Piercy presents the idea that this little girl was just like any other average little girl. “This little girl was born as usual” (line 1). She goes on to say that, like other young girls, this child received a Barbie doll with accessories. “…featured peeing dolls, miniature GE frying pans and irons, and little cherry candy-colored lipsticks” (lines 2-4). As the child grew older and reached puberty, her classmates picked on her because of her appearance. She was told she was fat with a big nose. The second stanza continues the child's story. The author explains in the first three lines that the little girl was healthy, intelligent and full of passion. Regardless of all her excellent attributes, the girl went back and forth apologizing and begging for forgiveness because “Everyone saw a big nose on thick legs” (line 11). In the third stanza, the girl is told to play modestly, to be whole. heart, exercise, diet and charm. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore and gave up. “His good character has worn away like a fan's belt. So she cut off his nose and his legs and offered them” (line 16). Fed up with constant bullying, the young girl gives up trying to be perfect and adapt to society's ideals. The last stanza talks about his funeral. The young girl is displayed in her coffin on satin fabric with the undertaker's makeup. A false snub nose is applied to the girl in the middle of a paper...... she lay with funeral home cosmetics painted on it, a putty snub nose, wearing a pink and white nightie. (lines 19-22). In the examples, it is easy for the audience to imagine small accessories for the child's Barbie doll and a young girl, dressed in a pink nightgown and makeup, lying in a coffin. The symbolism used in this poem is also important. For example “Then she cut off his nose and his legs and offered them” (line 17). This example symbolizes the young girl freeing herself from pieces of herself that society did not like. Overall, “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy is a poem that tells the story of a young girl who is a victim of society’s idea of ​​beauty. The author uses few poetic devices and instead focuses on writing a free and natural story like a poem. Works Cited Piercy, Margie. "Barbie doll." Poem hunter. Np, June 06, 2011Web. February 11 2014.