Platinum blonde curls, perfectly applied makeup, and an outfit that consists of a single bed sheet. Her name can still be heard ringing through the air nearly half a century after her death. This inaugural playboy paved the way for herself through controversial photographs and risqué poses throughout various forms of media. All aspects of the picture above suggest everything from inviting to sensual, with her body sultrily strewn across the bed- her point is made crystal clear. Marilyn Monroe is the epitome of sexy; however, when taking a closer look at the gray-scaled image something catches the audience's eye. The tray of food carefully placed alongside her scarcely covered body, hints at another side to Marilyn Monroe's come-hither facade. In today's society, a woman of Miss Monroe's mature stature would not be caught dead next to a serving dish filled to the brim, this suggests a first question: when did the definition of "sexy" shift from a healthy weight, to that of a size negative two? Also one might wonder; how is it that one of America's most memorable icons can be considered "timelessly sexy" with a body shape that sends an entirely different message?
By taking a closer look at the photograph the viewer is able to see a different side of the always provocative Marilyn Monroe, a side that is much "thicker" than expected. Here "thick" denotes Ms. Monroe's heavier weight. Notice how the photographer has strategically covered her body with a rather thin bed sheet, laid across a bed, and poised in a manner that provokes the upmost of provocative thoughts. This infamous idol of sexual intentions is laid alongside a tray plump with food, creating a rather contradictory scene. In today's world, it would be expected that an ima...
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...abel herself as "sexy" without being considered a whore. Although Ms. Monroe may not have personally been a pure soul, she still portrayed this facade creatively with great playfulness as well as innocence. She enforced the idea that appearance is not what a person is ultimately attracted to, it is subjective, instead it is the inner-workings of a person that makes the difference.
In conclusion, the image above resembles a passageway to another world. One where a top-of-the-line model ate all of the foods that appealed to her, regardless of the opinions that the public voiced. Being seen in a grayscale image, Marilyn Monroe’s true beauty dominates the scene rather than her heavier weight. She was successful because of her attitude not because she could fit into a size double-zero dress; she had great confidence in herself, and this was the key to her great success.
They did not challenge gender norms or ideals. Nor did they aim to usurp the position of the man. Rather, they supported the overarching mentality that women were to be submissive, strive to fulfill the needs and wants of men, and aim to please their male counterparts. (Kallen) Importantly, none of these women or representations of women exhibited any physical attributes that the dominant culture would view as masculine. Instead, they all displayed quintessential feminine characteristics and traits. Moreover, they were not valued for their brains or accomplishments; they were judged solely based on the degree to which they conformed to the male-dictated status quo. Marilyn Monroe and other sex icons of the 1950s were portrayed as dim-witted, naïve, childlike, and vulnerable, which was the polar opposite of society’s picture of the strong, smart, witty, and brave male. There was nothing about these women that challenged male superiority or threatened the overarching worldview that it was a ‘man’s world’ and women’s purpose was to make this world more enjoyable for the men who ruled it. (Meyerowitz
If these models are exemplars of ideal beauty, then the measure for women is that to be beautiful, starvation level is required. It appears that the media and the fashion industry would have the public believe that ultra thinness symbolizes beauty when in reality, the standard represents infertility, and premature death. The public has to realize that Twiggy was different. Her slenderness was natural, and everyone should not set their physical goals to that of hers, because it is physically impossible.Twiggy is revolutionary. She is the pivotal woman who changed the image of the ideal woman, and the face and body of fashion models. Her popularity allowed her to drastically increase a models income.
Humanity has been allured by extraordinary beauty for centuries. Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty, is a perfect example. This enchanting mythical figure wore a girdle with magical powers: forcing anyone to be in her presence to immediately fall in love with her. Though married to the blacksmith god Hephaestus, Aphrodite was known to have many affairs with both other gods and humans. Like Aphrodite, Marilyn Monroe seemed to enchant people wherever she went. The stunning blonde never settled down, and had affairs with multiple men. Sam Shaw, iconic Hollywood photographer, described her as, “’...always joyful, witty, fun loving and serious about acting—with a terrific desire to learn, to know about the arts, the theater, her craft, to read good books, to read poetry and to try to reach the ecstasy of poetic thoughts’” (French). Amazingly, both Aphrodite and Marilyn Monroe are major sex symbols, were quite unsure of their biological fathers, and had love relations with a pair of brothers.
When comparing Helen of (Sparta) Troy and Marilyn Monroe they have many parallels and differences. Mutually both of these women had a coarse childhood with many hardships. Both women had a turning point when they did something that caused people to change their opinion of them. Helen and Monroe’s Beauty has luminously inspired artist for decades. When comparing Helen of troy and Marilyn Monroe, one can see many similarities between both historic individuals.
To conclude, Marilyn Monroe’s character and experiences shows the great effect of one’s self-development in the advancement of an individual’s life, towards their set-goal or success. The legacy also shows how one can fall from their spotlight upon reaching it. This goes to show that self-development does not end once you reach the peak, your goal or “success” and that it is always on-going.
Marilyn wants society to see her not as a blonde hair, blue eyed sex symbol.
When someone speaks of Marilyn Monroe most people think she was nothing other than a woman who slept her way to the top. Of course she had her faults, but there are a variety of traits to describe her rather than just her sexual appeal. Marilyn was an iconic model, singer and actress who passed away too soon from unknown causes. She became a popular, enthusiastic actress and her films produced over 200 million dollars. Although, many people seen her as scandalous, she was more than that, she faced many troubling situations before her rise to the top only to be defeated by a sudden death.
...ose to only see the surface of her but never took the time to see what was on the inside. Marilyn Monroe was a very prominent feminist of her time and even to this day, whether they choose to recognize her as one or not.
Arthur Miller’s experiences with women are depicted through their roles in his plays. He is quoted as saying “I like the company of women. Life is boring without them”. This is fitting because he married one of the most interesting women in American history. Marilyn Monroe is a notorious sex symbol because she was objectified during her time as an actress. Her blond hair and pretty face easil...
Marilyn Monroe (Monroe) was an image of fashion and beauty in the 20th century. Overcoming a traumatic childhood to become one of the most confident women. Making bold provocative, but, fashionable statements about how women should be confident about their own body image. Without the help of others, she would not have become the person she is known as today. Marilyn Monroe, a famous actress, who has influenced the rest of the world.
Kashner, S. (2005, November 15). Marilyn and Her Monsters. Vanity Fair. Retrieved April 28, 2014, from http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/features/2010/11/marilyn-monroe-201011
“Marilyn Monroe’s Eternal Beauty.” Los Angeles Times: n. pag. Marilyn Monroe’s Beauty. Web. 29 Oct. 2013.
Models of Rubens, Rembrandt, Gaugin and Matisse were all rounded, plump women.A plump and healthy women was admired as it reflected wealth and success.(14). Where as images of women have become slimmer since the 1950’s according to Jennifer A. (Australian journal of nutrition and dietetics).
The image has a huge effect in society. A celebrity’s image can characterize, shape and circulate societal myths in Hollywood. Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, singer, and model. People think her figure and beauty make her become a popular icon and sex symbol in the 1950s. When people talk about the name of Marilyn Monroe, a blonde beautiful sexy female's image will appear in people's minds. What has the beauty standard shown us through Marilyn Monroe in the mid-20th century? Besides the beauty what other things did she need in order for her to be famous at that time? Marilyn Monroe's status as a sex symbol has influenced many artists since her time, even though the beauty standard has been different since then. If we look at the celebrities today, we can find many imitators of Marilyn Monroe: Madonna, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and even Lady Gaga. They do this not only because of marketing and media needs, but also because people today still “worship” the image Monroe created. A half-century has passed since Marilyn Monroe's death, so why is she still relevant today? As time has passed, Marilyn Monroe's image is becoming even more meaningful and valuable. Think about the image she has created, the main point I want to study is: how does a woman who passed away at thirty-six years old, after starring in only a handful of movies, has such on the impact on women, especially young women, in the 21st century? To find the answer of how she has an impact on young women today will also show how some of the young celebrities today became successful.
In the beginning, Madonna ultimately sacrificed sexual purity. Her daring exploitation of sex from a feminine point of view was definitely a breakthrough in 1980’s American society. Often, she dressed like a man and grabbed herself in “sacred” and “unseen” places. Actions like these, as Fiske points out, presented a threat but “not the traditional and easily contained one of woman as a whore but the more radical one of woman as independent of masculinity (Fiske 284).” Young girls regarded her actions not as “tarty” or “seductive” but as completely “acceptable.” Eventually, they embraced her image and strived to follow her example of the independent and sexually licentious woman (Fiske 283).