The Symbolism Of Irony In Clifton's 'Barbie Doll'

The middle of the poem Clifton say that her hips like to move around and it cannot be held back “ they don’t like to be held back” (ln. 6). She also say that her hips are not slave to emphasize that her hips have a freedom to do with it want to and to do whatever she want them to do “these hips have never been enslaved,/they go where they want to go/ they do what they want to do. (ln. 7-9). Her hips become the symbol of gender inequality in present time and in the past. It also say that women have as much opportunity as men have rather being throw into the corner. These lines symbolize an unrestrained freedom from guidance and censorship that enable women to lead their own lives.

Finally at the end of the poem, Clifton give her hip an enchanted power and supernatural character to her hips “these hips are mighty hips./ these hips are magic hips.” (ln 10-11). She mentions the influence of her hip that can use over men “I have known them to put a spell on a man and spin him like a top” (13-15). Clifton realizes that the male may always be the head, but women can always manipulate him into getting or doing whatever they want. However, Clifton’s strong use of imagery of words in

Both poems help me understand myself a little bit more. I use to care so much on how people look and think of me. I was different from everybody, my skin are darker, I didn't speak English very well, and I am from different country. In all that factor make me have very low self-esteem. I will do anything to please other and my mother think the same. She would tell me that I need to exercise and would dress me up like a doll everyday. For so many years I feel like a bird trap within a cage. I have come to learn that no matter how you look on the outside but what is inside that matter. Both of the poem help me realize that even