ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the nature of speech within Barbie, and argues in particular that Gloria’s final monologue plays a necessary role in the political resolution of the film. While some find the monologue superfluous because it doesn’t offer much of its audience new information, the author argues that the speech’s power represents an important moment of solidarity not only between Gloria and the Barbies, the film and audience, but also between generations both within the narrative and the audience. McKeown notes that Gloria’s speech has value for the emotional message it communicates, and claims that this speech is an example of what Stanley Cavell called a “passionate utterance” – an utterance that demands someone’s experience be acknowledged. Thus, the speech both signals to young women that they are not alone, as well as suggesting that their job isn’t to find a simple way out of patriarchy. Instead, the speech calls for care, and thus community and solidarity, signaling the importance of recognizing our experiences, and that of those we fight alongside.
