Feminism and Dehumanization in Marge Piercy's The Secretary Chant and Barbie Doll
Overview
This comparative essay analyzes Marge Piercy's poems The Secretary Chant and Barbie Doll, examining how both works explore feminist themes through personification, metaphor, and symbolism. The paper argues that Piercy uses literary devices to expose how women are dehumanized, objectified, and conditioned by society into restrictive gender roles, ultimately demonstrating the psychological and social cruelty of patriarchal expectations.
What this essay covers
- Introduction establishing the feminist theme common to both poems
- Analysis of The Secretary Chant focusing on dehumanization through personification and metaphor
- Analysis of Barbie Doll examining societal conditioning and the tragic consequences of female self-image
- Comparative discussion of cruelty and symbolism across both poems
Preview
Michael Tabasso
Professor Weiner
EN199
3/23/2021
Compare and contrast Marge Piercy's "The Secretary Chant" and "Barbie Doll."
The Secretary Chant and Barbie Doll by Marge Piercy are poems that play explain a common theme of feminism. Piercy personifies the desk as her hips in the first line of The Secretary Chant. The line is written to develop the theme of feminism and shape the author's perspective towards the issue. It also sets the poem's mood and tone towards feminism as one that brings unhappiness and loneliness. The metaphors used in the story, such as 'the desk as hips' provokes empathy in the audience and shows how secretaries are dehumanized and objectified. Piercy chooses her words carefully to put a strong punch on how women are judged based on their sexuality and not for their work or qualification.
Barbie Doll also represents the theme of feminism by explaining the role society provides towards women. The poem narrates the story of a young girl who was given all the toys she needs to become a good mother and wife. The girl is trained to fit in her future subservient role. The poem shows that there are specific roles in society that were specifically reserved for women. Some of the roles include painting, cooking, knitting, and looking after children. The author tries to explain that women are conditioned by society to live or act in a certain way and have no control over it.