The short story Barbie-Q by Sandra Cisneros examines how children in lower-class families think about social class through Barbie dolls. Barbie dolls are the focus of Cisneros’ story because, for many girls, the Barbies they were able to afford determined their social class. Owning more elaborate Barbie dolls indicated belonging to a higher social class, while owning only the basics or damaged dolls indicated belonging to a lower social class. The first paragraph begins with the narrator describing the dolls she and her friend have. They both came dressed elaborately, but the girls’ parents cannot afford to buy the Barbies more than one other extra outfit. The narrator mentions her doll's "titties being covered with black glitter" and how the