Outline and revised intro

In the poem "Barbie Doll" by Marge Piercy, Piercy uses symbols such as miniature ovens,
crying babies, red lipstick, and the image of a big nose and fat legs to demonstrate how the belittling of an average girl can lead to serious unfortunate events. The fact that the girl grows up playing with miniature GE stoves and whining babies symbolizes how from the beginning, the girl is categorized into a strict, motherly class. The red lipstick also plays with the idea of how the girl is trying to fit into the cookie cutter "Barbie Doll" image that she is expected to portray. The image of a big nose and fat legs is also important in helping Piercy demonstrate the environment that the girl grew up in, always striving to be something other than herself. It is evident that symbols are used in the poem "Barbie Doll" to help illustrate the image that young girls feel they need to fulfill in order to be socially accepted.

I. In the beginning of the poem "Barbie Doll", Marge Piercy uses toys like mini stoves and crying babies as symbols of the roles girls are expected to take on as they grow up.
    a. "This girlchild was born as usual and presented dolls that did pee-pee"
    b. "...and miniature GE stoves and irons"

II. The red cherry lipstick is a symbol of the sophisticated personality and sensual attitude that the girl  is trying to obtain.
     a. "The girlchild was born as usual and presented... wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy"

III. The visual imagery of a big nose and fat legs symbolizes the ideal body and corrupt image that the Barbie doll has created for young girls.
     a. "Then in the magic of puberty, a classmate said: You have a great big nose and fat legs"
     b. "She went to and fro apologizing. Everyone saw a fat nose on thick legs"

IV. Through all of the symbols used in this poem, it is made clear how the girl finally gets to a point of helplessness and weakness, resulting in her actions to cut off her legs and nose.
      a. "Her good nature wore out like a fan belt. So she cut off her nose and legs"
      b. "In the casket displayed on satin she lay with the undertaker's cosmetics painted on, a turned-up       putty nose"