Never can you climb over this wall, you're not strong enough; girls aren't strong enough; girls aren't big enough; your body is fragile and breakable, like a doll; your body is a doll; your body is for others to admire and to pet; your body is to be used by others, not used by you; your body is a luscious fruit for others to bite into and to savor; your body is for others, not for you.
In the quoted passage from Joyce Carol Oates' "Blonde," the speaker conveys a message about the constraints placed on women regarding their physicality. It suggests that society believes women lack the strength and robustness needed to overcome significant challenges, reinforcing stereotypes of fragility and helplessness. This perspective diminishes women's agency, implying that their bodies are more objects for others' admiration than instruments for their own empowerment.
The metaphor of the body as a doll further emphasizes the idea that women's physical forms are designed for others’ enjoyment rather than their own utility. This objectification paints a picture of women as being ornamental rather than active participants in their lives, reducing their identity to mere appearance and desirability. Overall, the text critiques societal views that limit women's potential and reinforce unhealthy perceptions of femininity.
