Our Barbies, Ourselves

In the essay “Our Barbies, Ourselves,” Emily Prager explores the history of the Barbie doll and talks about the Barbie doll itself. Prager seems convinced that the Barbie doll was an object created by a man and that Barbie reeks of sexuality, sexual innuendo and serves as the anti-feminist embodiment of every man’s fantasy. In her own expressive and persuasive modes to fashion an essay designed to persuade the reader that the Barbie doll is a twisted and corrupt tool designed by men to combat the feminist revolution. Though her attempts at persuasion are commendable, I was not swayed in my opinions on Barbie. If anything, I just found fault with this writer’s point of view, and I found her accusations to be outrageous and her “facts” to be completely wrong.

Prager uses both expressive and persuasive modes in her essay. Her own flavors to this essay express her own frustrations with the “men” that created Barbie dolls. In truth, Barbie was not created by Jack Ryan. Barbie was created by Ruth Handler. Handler sensed that it was just as important for girls to imagine what they themselves might grow up to become as adult women. In paragraph 2, Prager suggest in her essay that Barbie was fashioned after a man’s dream date with her tiny waist, large bust and feet made for stiletto heels.

In paragraph 6, Prager changes tones and suggests that perhaps Barbie was also an icon that could be embraced by feminists. Barbie is her own person, liberated woman and girl on the move. Prom queen, Business woman, Presidential candidate or Airline pilot, Barbie has always remained dedicated to her own career and her fashionable clothes. It is entirely possible that Barbie is the best of both worlds. Sexy yet smart. Balancing the

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extreme worlds of male fantasy and feminine idealism.

Paragraph 7 talks about Prager’s feelings towards Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken. Prager