Barbie Doll Analysis

Women are characterized to be a particular way since they are constantly being prejudiced on the basis of their gender. They are expected to dress a certain way, act in one way as opposed to another, take care of a family, and be able to cook. This prejudice is prevalent across the globe, whether in America, as depicted by the poem “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy, or in Antigua as described by the prose “Girl” by Jamaica Kincaid. Even though there is a great similarity between the social pressures faced by women in both America and Antigua, American women are greatly judged on a physical level, while in Antigua, women are predominantly judged on their capability to completing household chores. In “Barbie Doll”, the narrator depicts an American

Starting from the structure of the poem, which is simply a list of stern commands from a mother to daughter, it can be inferred that young women don’t have much of a say in terms of their occupation. Throughout the entire passage, the daughter only gets to speak twice; she asks questions. Young women may detest some of these practices, but they only to receive derogatory comments and insults accusing them of being promiscuous, or unlady like. In this case, the mother lists off practical advice such as sewing ironing cooking, sweeping, and washing. Some of the advice the mother gives, like using herbal medicine and catching fish, brings the idea Antiguan women live in poor, rural locations. Growing up from an impoverished area serves to be another disability because these young women who want to urbanize traditional values couldn’t receive the resources to do so. Antiguan women made attempts to bring change to many of their expectations. However, they were clearly oppressed by the society they live in, and at the same time were forced to conform to social expectations or face severe ridicule, which could have great

While both the poem “Barbie Doll” and prose “Girl” show this sexual discrimination, they clearly distinguish themselves in the way American women are raised in comparison to Antiguan women. American women are more commonly victimized based on aesthetics, whereas Antiguans are criticized on capabilities to run a household. It is most disturbing to see how such a large percentage of the global population can be completely marginalized. Considering so many years have passed, and that people have progressed to become more accepting of women for who they are, one would expect everyone to be treated fairly. There is no just reason to explain why women are considered to be second class to men. The global community should empower women because as human beings, they have the capability to achieve any and all of their