The Girlchild
The subject of "Barbie Doll," the girl is presented with social models of female beauty which don't match her own body. With puberty comes the horrifying declaration that her nose and legs are too large. She walks through the rest of her life self-conscious and self-hating, until she finally gives up and cuts off the offending parts. Although in death she is given putty and paint which resemble the ideal beauty, the girl is not alive to enjoy them.
Cecile
"What Are Big Girls Made Of?" is directed at the advertisements which uphold artificial beauty standards for women. Cecile is the narrator's college friend. In the day, she knew exactly how to dress and make herself up to attract all the men in the bars. Now she returns to the college scene a few years later, dressed the same, but she's out of style. Her domain is lost because she couldn't keep up with the changing of beauty standards.
The Gardener
The gardener in "A Work of Artifice" is responsible for clipping back the little bonsai tree to fit in its domestic environment. He represents society, which confines women and lies to them about their capabilities from a young age.
