Irony is a word people typically associate with the exact
opposite of what is expected.
Irony can be presented in several different forms, weather it be verbal
or comical or sarcastic, it impacts our outlook on the story. Authors are able
to use this tool to display their main idea without directly telling the
reader.
People like Marge Piercy, the author of “Barbie Doll,” are
able to use irony to manipulate our expectations and ultimately deepen the
plot. For example, what is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the
word Barbie Doll? Is it beauty? Do you think of perfection? Do you see it as
happiness? I know, I do. This is exactly what Piercy wants and expects. She is
able to manipulate this image of a perfect Barbie Doll and also provide the
reader with false expectations of a perfect story where everything goes
according to plan.
Piercy introduces this verbal irony early in the poem saying
“a classmate said: you have a great big nose and fat legs.” Someone that is
physically unattractive is not usually called and seen as a Barbie Doll. This image that every girl sees, this
beautiful picture of a Barbie Doll, has now been distorted by Piercy’s words.
Later in the poem, we are again shown irony when we find
that this woman tried so hard to be one with society and to be beautiful that
she “cut off her nose and her legs.” Which ultimately resulted in her death. At her funeral many
people said “ Doesn’t she look pretty?” This is absolutely crazy! This woman is lying there, dead
because she tried to be the exactly like Barbie Doll that society expected.
In the last line of the poem it says, “to every women a
happy ending,” but this story certainly did not end happily. Piercy again uses
her verbal irony, now nearly sarcastic, to show what people are willing to do
to conform to what society defines as beautiful.
Link to Barbie Doll
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