Chelsea Commodore

Dr. Newcomb 

ENG 170: Writing and Rhetoric

7 October 2019

 

The Timeless Doll

The Barbie doll in its classic form is the symbol of an idealistic white America during the 50s, but as time has gone on her image encompasses more than just the typical beautiful blonde. Her persistence in popular culture makes her a role model for both children and adults alike. Children see her as a pretty girl who can do anything, and adults see her as a collectible a cultural icon or even a sex symbol. Barbie’s many forms and evolutions make her appear multidimensional but the fact of the matter is, when you say, Barbie one image comes to mind; a tall skinny blonde with blue eyes. She is a rendition of an ideal woman for generations to look up. Despite having an extraordinary number of accolades and occupations, she is still known as the pretty, fake, carefree girl. Aqua created a well-known song “Barbie Girl” that embodies the impression Barbie gives, “Life in plastic, it’s fantastic!” and “Imagination, life is your creation.”

She represents an effortless yet polished beauty, who can do anything because at the end of the day it was all just a game to her. Ultimately, she is an unattainable suburban beauty that lives the life you wish you could but makes it look easy. Barbie is a plastic pink spectacle of femininity, an accomplished working woman, a sexual icon, and an unforgettable symbol of America. This is the role model that America has chosen to motivate the women of the future to be.

Barbie’s sexual appeal was present from the beginning of her story. She was based on a comic character, “a saucy high-end call girl named Lilli”. Her popularity was so widespread in Germany that a doll was made in her likeness. Ruth Handler saw the doll, and the rest is history. But this is not what immortalized her as a provocative figure, she is referenced by musicians like Nikki Minaj and Aqua for her suggestive nature (Albums). In the song Barbie Girl by Aqua numerous lines were said that cooperate with image like, “Make me walk, make me talk, do whatever you please” which makes the doll seem to have no agency outside of the individual possessing it; after all, she is just a toy to be played with, but there are still undertones of more scandalous concepts.

Adults who grew up with Barbie likely feel a special connection with her and what she represents to them. A better time and a carefree childhood that they can never return to or an aspiration never quite met. Either way, the value of the doll can retain itself well, especially on older and more exclusive and elaborate editions that can be great. After all, “The first Barbie doll sold for $3.00, but a mint condition #1 doll can fetch more than $25,000 today” (Holland) an exuberant leap in cost.  The classic aesthetic of the dolls can bring in the audiences that simply love art and fashion into the mix. Even Andy Warhol created an image of the doll to his likeness as seen in history.com. Not only that but the continuous stream of celebrities being turned into Barbie Brand Dolls like Supermodel Twiggy and Zendaya keeps the demand going. 

Most importantly, the doll inspires children to achieve what would be unthinkable for many women, especially for its time. The creator herself sites Barbie as a positive representation of women saying, “Barbie always represented the fact that a woman has choices” (The History of Barbie). She was always one step ahead of the curve when it came to jobs for women from 1965s female astronaut to 2016s Lady President, her aspirations will pave the way for reality to a girl who never knew she could (The History of Barbie). An option of a Barbie in just about every field constantly reminds others that there is always a doll out there for you. Every girl should be reminded daily that she can be who she wants to be without limitations of self-doubt and negativity from others. 

Barbie is not boring or simple or even just one girl. She is a cultural symbol of beauty, success, and a cultural icon. Her reach spans all age groups and even nations. 

 

Works Cited

AquaHoldet. “Aqua – Barbie Girl (Official Video)” Youtube,

20 August 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyhrYis509A

“Barbie.” Barbie | National Toy Hall of Fame, The Strong, 2019, https://www.toyhalloffame.org/toys/barbie. Web. 10 September 2019.

“Barbie in Albums.” Lyrics Containing the Term: Barbie, STANDS4 NETWORK, 2019, https://www.lyrics.com/serp.php?st=barbie&qtype=3.

BarbieCollectors. “1959 First EVER Barbie Commercial High Quality HQ!” Youtube, 

 

29 October 2008, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hhjjhYGQtY.

 

Bellis, Mary. “Biography of Ruth Handler, Inventor of Barbie Dolls.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 6 May 2019, https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-barbie-dolls-1991344.Web. 10 September 2019.

Holland, Brynn. “Barbie Through the Ages.” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 29 Jan. 2016, https://www.history.com/news/barbie-through-the-ages. Web. 10 September 2019.

Latson, Jennifer. “First Barbie Dolls History: Inspired by Not-for-Kids Toy.” Time, Time, 9 Mar. 2015, https://time.com/3731483/barbie-history/.

“The History Of Barbie.” Barbie, Mattel, 2019, https://barbie.mattel.com/en-us/about/our-history.html. Web. 10 September 2019.