Icon Analysis, Assignment 2-2

The Barbie doll was invented in 1959 by Ruth Handler (co-founder of Mattel), whose own daughter was called Barbara. Barbie was introduced to the world at the American Toy Fair in New York City. The doll was intended to be a teenage fashion doll. There has been some controversy over Barbie's figure when it realized that if Barbie was a real person her measurements would be an impossible 36-18-38. In her 50 years, Barbie has juggled so many jobs that the term "portfolio career" might have been invented for her. She was an astronaut and fashion editor in the 60s, a surgeon and gymnast in the 70s, and has since been a rapper, a UNICEF diplomat, a paleontologist, an African-American presidential candidate (non-partisan) and, perhaps most brilliantly, an art teacher. I chose Barbie as icon because I used to collect Barbie when I was a little girl, and I use to be inspired by Barbie’s fashion. As a girl myself, Barbie has been a big sister. The concept of this doll has changed dramatically through the generations of girls. As our lifestyle and technology changes so does the Barbie doll. Accessories, style and appearance have greatly improved. The Barby doll has been a big sister to us girls for a very long time.

Shrek is the animated story of a green ogre that lives in an enchanted world (called Far Far Away, as in any fairy tale story) but despises it and therefore shuts himself away from it. He doesn’t care about anything and has quite a bad temper, just like any other ogre, with the only difference that deep inside of him Shrek is tender and sweet being. This funny and really humorous story develops in a fantasy world where all clichés of the fairy tales appear highly satirized. One of those clichés is clearly seen in the character of the princess, who instead of being a delicate and feminine woman is a brave and fiery person who stands against many dangers and that hides a secret that has makes her have little to do with any other regular princess. I really like this animate story and Shrek’s character. Shrek has made an unforgettable impression on American pop culture and has become a popular movie, and that’s why I chose it as a popular culture icon. The movie is definitely a good choice for families since it’s innocent yet very intelligent and creative.

Oprah Winfrey came from a humble background to become one of America's most influential women. Winfrey has amassed a great fortune through her media and publishing interests and uses her fame and wealth to positively influence the lives of people in need. Oprah Winfrey's career in the media industry began as a news anchor and reporter for a television station in Nashville (although she also worked in radio during high school as a newscaster). She was the first black African American woman television news anchor to work in Nashville on the WTVF-TV station at the young age of 19. Winfrey's career really began to take off after moving to Chicago in 1984 to host "AM Chicago", an early morning talk show at WLS-TV's. It went on to become the number one ranked talk show shortly after she started and it was renamed "The Oprah Show" after one year. The Oprah Winfrey Show went on to become one of the most successful and highest ranked television talk show programs in history. The program is viewed by more than 20 million Americans every week and broadcast internationally to more than one hundred countries worldwide. I chose Oprah as popular culture icon because she is the most influential women in mediums and her influence can have impact on social, cultural and economic status on individuals.