The best of the best is what we all think we need and will not satisfy ourselves until we feel we have it. In reality there will always be something better out there, but being satisfied with what you have is what is the hardest part to learn. In the short story, “Barbie-Q”, by Sandra Cisneros two young girls learned this lesson. They not only learned this lesson but they received a blessing after. The girls love to play with Mattel Barbie Dolls. They were very poor and could not afford to get many interchangeable outfits like other children got for their dolls’; they also only had one doll each. At a young age they realized they did not have all the privileges that most children had, yet still were thankful for what they were given. While walking through the local flea market the girls’ spotted Barbie boxes in a pile full of rubbish. The girls flew to the register, then additionally spotting more boxes. There was a warehouse fire the day before so the company was trying to liquidate all damaged goods. The girls were able to get the dolls at a rate they could afford and made the best of the dolls being slightly damaged.
The author, Sandra Cisneros, was raised in the ghetto of Chicago. Her father was Mexican and her mother was Chicana. This allowed for her to grow up knowing what a struggle was, not only through herself but watching others around her. She had a love for writing poetry and for writing stories that had not been written before. Cisneros also wanted to make sure anyone could pick up any of her works and be able to read them without having to read a previous work. She wanted to give everyone a fair advantage so no one felt like they were not capable to read and comprehend her stories.
Barbie-Q is a unique name for this writing, considering the events that happened to form the short story. The moral of this story is something everyone can learn from no matter what age and can be applied to most any situation. When things seem to be bad, you have to remember someone will always have it worse and someone will always have it better. Life is not fair. These girls were satisfied with what they had and understood the situation they were in. As stated in the story, “We have to make do with your mean-eyed Barbie and my bubble-head Barbie and our one outfit apiece not including the sock dress” (Cisneros, 184). The girls were able to be creative and make a dress for the dolls out of a sock. If they were to go buy numerous outfits they would not have sparked imagination, creativity and teamwork to build the outfit out of a sock. We as a society need to learn to play with the cards we have been given to spark ideas before trying to trade. As a whole, people are not satisfied with their lives as much as they were two generations ago. And I truly believe it is because peoples expectations of what they “deserve” are too high, and parents want to give children what they didn’t have creating spoiled, lazy, dependent children.
The girls were so pleased to stumble upon the damaged dolls. They did not care that they were melted, smelled of smoke, sooty, or discolored. Being raised to not have much, finding anything that they could use their creativity to turn into something more was all the girls wanted. Now, instead of being handed things on a silver platter, they can work with the bare minimum and be creative. “If you dress her in her ‘Prom Pinks’ outfit, satin splendor with matching coat, gold belt, clutch, and hair bow included, so long as you don’t lift her dress – who’s to know?” (184). The girls make this reference to say that they can make due and cover up imperfections such as a melted leg. If we lived our lives with this mentality our perspectives of numerous things would change. We would look at the glass as half full than empty.
Overall, a major theme of this story is making do with what you have will teach you numerous greater lessons in life. Material things that everyone else has, does not define who you are as a person, and not having them will elaborate your capabilities in life.
melaniemoore blog 
Payton, your analysis presents a thoughtful examination of the theme of making do with what you have in Sandra Cisneros’ “Barbie-Q.” Offering more textual evidence for your claims, omitting material that doesn’t contribute to your controlling idea (see paragraphs two and three), and editing with more attention to MLA guidelines would strengthen the paper. Consider adding to your blog post a link to Cisneros’ official website: http://www.sandracisneros.com/.