Let’s Call Her Barbie

Questions for Discussion

Questions for Discussion

Despite Ruth’s intention to create a doll that would empower young girls, from the very beginning Barbie has been both celebrated and vilified. Do you think of Barbie as a feminist icon or a dangerous role model for women?

Throughout this novel, you get a behind-the-scenes look at the development and creation of Barbie. For example, you learned the real reasons why her waist is so tiny, her feet are so small, her neck is so long, etc. Barbie’s creators never lost sight of the fact that she was just a plastic figurine with anatomically impossible body measurements. And yet some people thought they were supposed to look like her. What is it about Barbie that you think separates her from other dolls and toys and has this effect on people, both positive and negative?

Ruth was certainly a nontraditional woman for her time. She tried to have it all—a husband, children and a career. What are your thoughts about her as a mother and her relationship with Barbara? How do you think her own childhood impacted her views on motherhood?

Jack Ryan was the unlikely Romeo of Mattel. What do you think it was about Jack that the women found so appealing and irresistible? What did you think about his relationship with Stevie? What did you think about Ruth and Seymour Rosenberg’s attempts to shortchange him on his royalties and phase him out of Mattel?

Growing Up Skipper came under fire—rightfully so—from the National Organization for Women as soon as she was released. Can you cite other Barbie controversies through the years? What do you think about the Barbie line today, which is based on diversity and inclusion, with a multitude of skin tones, hairstyles, body images and other more representative features?

Barbie has had more than 200 careers, from fashion model to astronaut. What do you think were the most important milestones for Barbie, and how was she ahead of her time?

How did you feel when you learned that Barbie was inspired by Bild Lilli, a German prostitute gag doll? Did that surprise you?

Ruth and Jack were both instrumental in the creation of Barbie. Ironically, they each had a Barbara in their lives and took credit for the name and the doll itself. After Jack’s tragic death, Ruth did a little revisionist history and downplayed if not erased his contributions to the doll’s success. Did you think Jack had a right to claim he created Barbie?

Ruth developed breast cancer in 1970, which led to the creation of her next enterprise, Nearly Me. She saw her prosthetic breasts as a way to help millions of breast cancer survivors. What did you think about her coming full circle in terms of her relationship with creating breasts for a doll for little girls and then creating breasts for grown women?

Ironically, many Barbie collectors say it’s because they weren’t allowed to have a Barbie when they were growing up that they became involved in collecting. Did you play with Barbies as a child, or did you shave off all her hair in a fit of protest? Were you allowed to have Barbies, or did your parents forbid you to play with “that” doll?

Barbie in her iconic black-and-white swimsuit (#850). Barbie was introduced to the world at New York’s Toy Fair on March 9, 1959.

Barbie wearing her first wedding gown (Wedding Day Set #972, issued in 1959): a long-sleeved dress with a double-tiered skirt, designed in white satin and tulle that shimmered with silver glitter. Original accessories included open-toed white pumps, short white gloves, a blue garter, a “pearl” necklace, a tulle veil and a bouquet.

Barbie and Midge in the first Barbie Dream House, wearing Sweater Girl outfits (#976, issued in 1959): sleeveless shells beneath matching wool cardigans with gold buttons, and flannel pencil skirts to complete the look. The Midge doll (#860) was introduced in 1963. Sweater Girl was issued in two colors: blue, as pictured here on Barbie, and orange, as worn by Midge. Barbie’s Dream House, issued in 1962, was originally priced at $4.44.

Also known as the bubble dress, this Gay Parisienne outfit (#964, issued in 1959) was designed in dark blue polka-dot taffeta and embellished front and back with bows. The matching headband and veil, along with the white rabbit fur stole lined in satin, made this the height of fashion. The Barbie Fashion Shop, issued in 1963, was constructed of sturdy cardboard and originally priced at $4.47.

This pink satin full-length gown with its glamourous train and white rabbit fur stole (Enchanted Evening #983, issued in 1960) remains a favorite among Barbie collectors. Original accessories included elbow-length gloves, a “pearl” choker, “pearl”-drop earrings and clear open-toed pumps flecked with gold glitter.

Solo in the Spotlight (#982, issued in 1960) was a formfitting full-length gown in a glittery black knit, featuring a red silk rose sewn onto the ruffled tulle hem. The pink chiffon scarf, long black gloves and microphone stand completed this nightclub ensemble.

Barbie’s Movie Date blue and white striped sundress (#933, issued in 1962) had a sheer organdy overskirt and included decorative matching trim along the hem and bodice. Midge’s Garden Party pink floral and pindot cotton dress (#931, issued 1962) had a full skirt with an eyelet inset panel. Skipper’s School Days ensemble (#1907, issued in 1964) included a short-sleeved white blouse, a pink wool cardigan sweater with gold buttons and a pink flannel pleated skirt. Skipper, Barbie’s little sister (#950), was introduced in 1964.

Ken’s swim trunks were made of red poplin, featured a white stripe down the side and came with a matching red and white striped top. The Ken doll (#750) was issued in 1961. Allan’s dark blue cotton swimsuit came with a gold, blue, green and red striped jacket. The Allan doll (#1000) was issued in 1964. Both Ken’s and Allan’s swim outfits came with color-coordinated cork sandals.

The white sleeveless blouse for the Crisp ’n Cool ensemble (#1604, issued in 1964) was enhanced with three decorative red buttons down the front and a red and white polka-dot ascot. The outfit also came with a red pencil skirt and a matching red and white bag with vinyl handles. This was Carol Spencer’s first Barbie design, inspired by First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy.

Black Magic (#1609, issued in 1964) was a black silk sheath dress with a matching tulle cape that fastened at the neck with a satin ribbon. It was inspired by one of Ruth Handler’s favorite real-life outfits.