In this poem we see the unyielding, over demanding expectations of society on women. The way we look is constantly at battle with how society deems acceptable. Whether we are too fat or two thin, at any time it is subject to change and we are expected to keep up with such a demand in order to be considered beautiful. Piercy states from the very beginning that
"This girl child was born as usualand presented dolls that did pee-pee
and miniature GE stoves and irons
and wee lipsticks the color of cherry candy"
So simply stating that from birth society is to blame. These are the norms we teach our children. Girls are given a pink nursery and dolls with other such things and boys are given a blue room with sports decorations. These are the accepted norms. No one questions them we just go along. Then as we grow older we are criticized and told how to look which at such a young age we naturally take to heart and with no will power or self love we then form opinions of our self on how wrong we look and begin to hate ourselves. Why? Simply because we arent a size two model with perfect features. Piercy speaks of the girls health and how well her other features were such a ' strong arms and back, a normal sex drive, etc..." but all anyone saw were her flaws. Why is that I wonder? Why do so many people care exactly what our flaws are? Something considered unattractive today would be considered beautiful tomorrow. In ancient times being a woman of weight made you desirable. It not only signified your financial status because it showed that you have enough money to provide for food and such necessities but it was ideal for childbearing. Now you have to be skinny and sometimes you get criticized just for that because it doesn't look right on you. It might even make you look too skinny. No matter what people will judge but what I ask is why? Why should anyone care how I look or dress if it doesn't concern them? Who makes these ridiculously high standards for beauty and why do we conform to follow them? Perhaps it is us as women ourselves. We wish to look a certain way because we aren't happy and instead of changing ourselves we bring others down and judge? As they say "Misery loves company" .So does that leave us to blame? We as women force ourselves to go through this? No matter what anyone says it is still our choice. We can choose to be happy with our appearance and ignore all else. Do we create these demands that are impossible to live up to so we don't feel alone? Other women will struggle and try to look as we want to but at least for those who fail we wont suffer alone? Piercy even states
"In the casket displayed on satin she lay
with the undertaker's cosmetics painted on,
a turned-up putty nose,
dressed in a pink and white nightie.
Doesn't she look pretty? everyone said.
Consummation at last.
To every woman a happy ending."
A happy ending? For whom? She suffered and changed who she was facing death either figuratively speaking because she kills the person she once was to be different or literally as most women do when going through surgeries to please those around us and receive praise. What part of this ending says happy? All to hear the words " Doesn't she look pretty"? Ans though I know Piercy means this in a sarcastic way many feel this is the truth. Its all life means many women would do anything to be considered pretty by societies standards rather then finding the people out there who will think she looks just as pretty just by being her. Not by being a 'Barbie Doll".
