A short story is a very interesting genre because authors are supposed to convey their messages using the limited number of words – therefore, it can be supposed that good short stories have to be revised many times in order to exclude odd details that do not help the reader to understand the most important idea. Nevertheless, it usually happens that everyone sees the latter in his of her own way. An important example of a short story that needs to be analyzed is Barbie-Q devoted to girls’ obsession with toys (Cisneros, 1991).
In reference to my impression of the girls who act as the primary characters of the story, it is rather controversial. On the one hand, their dialogue about dolls, outfits, shopping, and appearances can be regarded as quite typical for two girls inventing new games. On the other hand, the girls’ willingness to use plots they invent and incarnate numerous stereotypes related to beauty standards, fragile friendship between women who can fight in order to prove that they are worthy of the attention of a man definitely makes me upset because these role models do not appear in children’s mind by themselves – they are nothing more than the procreation of assumptions supported by adult people. Therefore, I understand that these girls are just common children but the particular assumptions they support trying to reflect social norms are quite disappointing.
The descriptions of dolls that the author uses are very detailed as they are necessary to demonstrate the world that both girls are living in – the world where the character of an individual can be expressed with the help of appearance. There is one more important thing concerning the descriptions – it is clear that girls believe that their toys represent themselves in this game whereas their Barbie dolls look basically the same. It is clear that, playing with their dolls, girls from the story have an opportunity to fulfil their dreams about happier and wealthier life.
Throughout the story, there are a large number of repetitions that are used in order to demonstrate the girls’ obsession with dolls and the sincere ravishment they feel when being provided with an opportunity to buy more toys.
As for the theme of the discussed story, to me it seems that this work by Cisneros is devoted to self-esteem and the way that girls see themselves under pressure of the popular culture. Throughout the story, readers understand that the children who act as primary characters are poor and they are happy to be able to buy new toys; at the same time, girls understand that they belong to the class that is supposed to content itself with owning damaged things of lower quality.
In the end, it is necessary to define the way that these girls can change within the following five or ten years. Personally, I believe that it is extremely difficult to predict future changes related to people’s assumptions, lifestyle, and values. To me, it seems that there are two variants that are equally possible. To begin with, these girls can experience even greater influence of mass culture due to the fact that its impact and the ability to attract young people are increasing. Nevertheless, it is also possible that these girls will grow up and understand that there is nothing shameful in having a low income and they are already happy just because they have friendship and families.
Reference
Cisneros, S. (1991). Barbie‑Q.