n the poem "Barbie Doll", the author Marge Piercy, is characterizing a young girl named Nora, who comes in contact with some very difficult challenges growing up through her teenage years. The author uses many variable descriptions in her poem describing a lifestyle that young girls, such as Nora goes through. Going through the years of adolescence and puberty can be a tremendous roller coaster for almost all young females.
             The title Barbie Doll is a good description of how most people stereotype young, healthy and smart females. The female role is placed upon them at an early age in life, which also begins self-esteem. In this poem, the author is characterizing young female roles as playing with dolls, stoves, irons, playhouses, "and wee lipstick...miniature GE stoves and irons"(821). The most naive statements that can be suggested toward a person especially that of an emotional and confused young girl can be the longest lasting and most devastating remark made to a female approaching puberty. Such harsh remarks made to a young individual, pressures them into making changes in such ways that will make them feel accepted into today's society where thin and beauty is thought to be the figure of a young women. It is ironic that this particular word "puberty" is actually a stage of emotional crisis. A hurtful remark was made toward Nora in this poem, and she was described as having a "big nose and fat legs"(821). The author also describe her as being playful, "healthy...intelligent...strong"(821). As the hurtful comments were suggested toward her by classmates and other people, this girl "went to and fro apologizing, while everyone still saw a fat nose on thick legs"(822). At this point in her life when apologizing becomes a point of explaining her unhappiness with herself and others; this is where low self-esteem and sorrow may become a part of the emotions. ...