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Fear In Nadine Gordimer's Barbie Doll

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Society thrives on structure and control, without these two traits, society would not have followers. In order for humanity to keep order, people go to great length to implement seeds of fear into the mind of people. The seedlings of fear will grow and perpetuate an image or way of thinking that inhibits the person’s mental state and give control to society. A person’s mind is a powerful instrument molded by factors. Nadine Gordimer’s short story “Once Upon a Time”, shows how the culture of fear can lead to dire preventable consequences. In addition, “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy exemplifies how seedlings of fear such as vanity and beauty can destroy a person’s self worth. These forms of fear are society’s poison to constantly weaken the human spirit in order for society to blossom and prosper.

In the short story “Once Upon a Time”, citizens of an …show more content…

The families that live in this community pay for the best security systems and barriers they can get, yet intruders still frequently break in and take their valuables. The people in this community believed it was fair to fear the people of color on the outside of their gated community, “It was not possible to insure the house, the swimming pool, or the car against riot damage. There were riots but these were outside the city, where people of another color were quartered. These people were not allowed into the suburb except as reliable housemaids and gardeners, so there was nothing to fear…”(Gordimer 9). Since the people of color lived outside the gated community, the people on the inside thought they had nothing to fear. But later, robberies began on the inside and they did not know where the intruders were coming from. The people inside the gated community live with this constant fear of the

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