Nathaniel Breier
ERH-303WX-01
Prompt 3
Word Count: Approx. 245

By beginning with a format based off of the Bible, specifically modeling passages that could be found in the Old Testament, tracing lineages and such, Steinberg draws a correspondence between how lineages begin small and then become oh so much larger with how Barbie began small and then branched out. Moreover, by modeling her introduction off of Biblical text, she sets up the argument she is making. That is, she discusses the pervasiveness of Barbie in culture, is used by culture and so on. This is no so dissimilar to how the Bible often presents in culture – shaping it by virtue of being, but also being used to shape it, just as Barbie is utilized by corporations to promote themselves.
Moreover, by beginning with a Biblical style, Steinberg connects the religious significance of the Bible with the similar obsession that many have with Barbie. It is also of interest, though likely not of deliberate intent on the author’s part, that she discusses the Western bias of Barbie while connecting it with the Bible, the central text of Christianity, which has too been criticized of having Western bias, particularly regarding its connection to imperialization. Lastly, by beginning with a farce of the Bible, her likely audience is probably psychologically shocked, making them take a mental step back, seeing something generally considered sacred flipped in such a way. This could serve the purpose of having them reconsider something, in this case Barbie, that is generally taken for granted.