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Marilyn Monroe
The 1900’s were filled with many great people but the women of that era were often forgotten. Marilyn Monroe changed every person's expectation of what a woman was supposed to be like in the 1900’s. She was a model, singer, and an American actress, best known for her “blonde bombshell” roles in films. Years later she's still remembered as one of the biggest sex symbols during the 1950’s. Marilyn Monroe was a strong woman who impacted the world through her passion for women’s rights, her successful career, and her everyday fashion sense.
Back in the 1900’s era, feminism wasn’t even a word, but Marilyn Monroe turned it into one that would be remembered. Everyone during this time period believed if someone was above a size zero
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they were fat and that feeling confident nude was known as a shameful act. Monroe was far from being a size zero; her body was filled with curves and hips, but all men still grew an obsession towards her and her appearance. She showed other women that it was still attractive to be curvier and thick, and not over-obsessively skinny. During the 1900’s, when photographs were taken in the nude people should've felt immodest and embarrassed, until a scandal arose that involved Marilyn and a nude calendar. Studios and the public across the country were stunned from what they were seeing hung up at gas stations, locker rooms, and walls across the country. Instead of being ashamed, Marilyn kept her head held high and embraced her beauty while even making jokes about it. Her confidence and pose towards the photograph relaxed the public and slowly changed the nations outlook on women sexuality (Gray). Marilyn Monroe did not like how things were run against women in the film industry, so she fought for what she wanted to see change: “Everytime a women can direct or produce a film, she has Marilyn Monroe to thank. Anytime an actor or actress can reject a script, they have Marilyn to thank. Every Time a woman can stand up for herself and tell the powers that be to shove it, she has Marilyn to thank” (Gray). < Film directors tried to dictate Marilyn as a “dumb blonde” because of her look. When studios tried to push the “dumb blonde” roll on her, she denied the offer and moved to New York City to pursue her own production company. She was one of the first women in history to do so. In the 1900’s, production studios picked and choose what parts an actor or actress would play in, but Marilyn fought for that to be changed. She put up such a notable battle that she won the rights of co-star, the right of script, and the right of directorial approval, which was never heard of or allowed during that time era. These achievements strongly helped to promote the view of women throughout the country. Without the fight from Marilyn Monroe these things would not have been an option for women for a long time. Marilyn Monroe showed women across the world that it was okay to stick up for oneself and reveal one's body without being innapropriate and feeling put down about oneself. Marilyn Monroe strongly believed sex was not bad and without her the sexual revolution that followed in the 1900’s might have never occurred (Gray). Marilyn Monroe showed the world that one can start from rock bottom and still manage to make it out on the top. Marilyn came from a broken home where she had no dad and her mom was mentally ill going in and out of mental hospitals for drug abuse. This eventually led to Marilyn being shipped between several different foster homes. She was sent to foster homes where she was very ill treated, and even some where she was sexually abused (Banner 44). She was once even sent to an orphanage where her mother came and visited her every once and awhile (“Marilyn Monroe Biography”). Marilyn had a rocky start to her career in the beginning, but she worked hard and put herself out there. During this time she cut her long brown hair to a bleach blonde bob and secured her first job at “The Blue Book Modeling Agency”. She was well known on magazine covers until one day, a 20th Century Fox executive, Ben Lyon discovered her and offered a six month contract. Ben Lyon suggested that she should have a stage name instead of going by Norma Jeane Mortenson, that’s how her name “Marilyn Monroe” came about (“Marilyn Monroe Biography”). Marilyn Monroe set an example to the whole world by starting from as little as nothing, to becoming a prominent female symbol across the world. Marilyn Monroe strongly impacted the fashion world by making clothing acceptable in a non-accepting society.
She made everything from brightly colored lipsticks to swimwear paired with heels work as an outfit. During the 1900’s it was all about blaine, boring, non-noticeable colors and Marilyn believed that red lips showed confidence,was classy, and sophisticated. Her lipstick became a go to makeup look to add class to any type of outfit. She rocked bikinis with heels in movies that she starred in but also, on day trips to the beach. As the trendsetter she is, women began to start following her style and pairing heels with their bikinis. Marilyn also showed off her curvy, hourglass figure with a tiny waist and large breasts. No one would ever catch her wearing anything loose that would not show off her curvy figure. She was a classy women filled with confidence to wear anything that she pleased. She always had her haircut above her shoulder and had it dyed bleach blonde with curls. Her hairstyle lasted all through her upcoming in fame. All her life she hated her beauty mark ,but soon learned to embrace it. People started to recognize her by it and soon she became known for it. Eventually, women even started drawing their own beauty marks wanting to look more like her (“Secret of Diva”). Overall, Marilyn Monroe had a big influence on women's fashion and style during the 1900’s
era. Marilyn Monroe was a strong women who impacted the world through her passion for women’s rights, her successful career, and her everyday fashion sense. Marilyn had a rough life as a child, but she still managed to come out on top with her successful career. She was a big time star in hit movies and made various things socially acceptable. During the 1900’s, she practically invented the meaning of a feminist and was and still is to this day, one of the biggest sex symbols of the world. She was an extraordinary women, impacting different parts of everyone's lives. Without her devotion to women’s rights, the sexual revolution during the 1960’s might have never occurred.
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
The death of Marilyn Monroe is one of the most famous, unsolved murders of all time. Her death certificate claims that on the night of August 4th, 1962 Marilyn Monroe killed herself from a drug overdose in her home in Los Angeles, California. Although some might say that the drug overdose is the only possible reason of her passing, other might say that theories such as the CIA killed Marilyn Monroe makes more sense. For example, Marilyn Monroe was allegedly having an affair with both John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert Kennedy. The most common theory supports the idea that “the Kennedys killed her (or had her killed) because they feared she would make public their love affairs and other government secrets she was gathering” (History.com
Marilyn wants society to see her not as a blonde hair, blue eyed sex symbol.
...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, Norma Jeane Mortenson. A devious soul but a pure heart, a black past, but a bright future; she became one of the most idolized figures in society. Norma was definitely not born with a silver spoon in her mouth, and she never sugar coated her life to the media. She was straight forward which made her heavily known for her quotes such as “I learned to walk as a baby and I haven’t had a lesson since.” (Marilyn Monroe). This was the beginning to her life story as a hero. This may not seem inspiring or heroic to many by the lack of knowledge a person may have on Norma. In the depths of her quotes lay a deep, heartfelt life though. For this quote may seem sensational and comical to the ear, but Marilyn was transferred to many foster homes not really having a parent that would show her the way. What a good role model would do though, and what Norma courageously has shown society, is that when life knocks you down, get up and hit life back twice as hard. Norma Jeane Mortenson, married Jim Dougherty, and started working. Soon she created the character Marilyn Monroe, she dyed her hair blonde, wore short dresses, and she became the momentous and inspirational character that everyone saw through television, newspapers, and photos. She was one of the greatest actors, singers, and models of the nineteen forties and fifties. But like every hero they suffer and create their own demise. Jeane, Marilyn Monroe, is a shakespearean tragic hero, because like every hero she must fall.
Time flew by and as the war ended in 1918, the 1920’s decade of change soon approached. The year was famously known as “The Jazz Age” and “The Roaring 20’s” because of the newly found freedom, social and political changes, and the time of prohibition. Among these powerful new changes was the freedom that women were finally able to vote and enjoy what was about to come. Instead of being confined at home, the women joined labor forces, worked with wages, and experimented with different types of behavior that would have been unreasonable a few years back. Along with these dramatic changes were their fashion styles. This style changed their rights and relationships with others completely. With that change, a new woman was born. There were not many ways for women to stand up for themselves and what they believed in. They had no voice but in the 1920’s, women found a way of freely expressing themselves and changing their relationships with others all with the start of fashion.
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.
Madonna has been a powerful woman that changed cultural, fashion, and social trends. She just may be the most iconic and influential woman the world has seen. She manipulated her position as a leading celebrity and proved women can be beautiful, sexual, and in complete control of their lives. Her opinions and attitudes on sexuality and feminism changed the way the traditional standards of beauty worked. There are no standards of beauty but what an individual finds beautiful. Madonna helped classify a modern woman as an independent and sexual being. She fought to give women more choices and freedom and become more confident about themselves. Madonna made it possible for a woman to be in complete charge of her sexuality and womanhood. Today, a woman is not defined by her beauty but by her attitude and style.
Norma Jean, most famously known as Marilyn Monroe was a famous actress in Hollywood that was one of the biggest sex symbols to come by in the 1900’s. Marilyn Monroe did not start out as an actress or one of the world’s biggest sex symbols, she began her career as a model. Monroe began work in a weapons factory in Burbank, California, where she was later discovered by a photographer. She was married to her first husband Jimmy Dougherty who was a marine. Jimmy had been deployed for some time and when he returned in 1946, Monroe had a fruitful career as a model, and she also changed her name from Norma Jean Baker to Marilyn Monroe in preparation for an acting career (Cinnamon,
“If you can make a woman laugh, you can make her do anything.” once announced Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn Monroe was a very successful model and actress. She had a very hard and difficult childhood, which she soon changed into a very wealthy adulthood. She starred in several movies and was very famous. Her life ended too suddenly due to complications. Marilyn Monroe is an influential person because of her rough childhood life, her modeling and acting career, and her passion to making her dreams come true.
Marilyn Monroe achieved her goal by starting as a model for blue books, this is where she was discovered and was asked to become an actress. She played a part in “Dangerous years” and through her career she believed everyone was beautiful.
issues and had threatened suicide before (Bell, 2014). However, while she did suffer from many issues, it was said that around this time she was in good spirits. She had been planning for the future and seemed to be looking forward to it.
What do you call a brunette standing between two blondes? An Interpreter. Blonde females are portrayed as being always attractive, desirable and sexually available, whilst at the same time making little use of their intelligence. Marilyn Monroe is american model, actress and singer, who was distinguished as a divine photogenic sex idol all her life, she is an excellent example of the ‘dumb blonde’ stereotype. Although Marilyn was not educated she aspired to enhance her intelligence not to prove anything to anyone but for her own self-fulfillment. Despite her dyslexia and bipolar disorder, she had an ambition to learn and enjoyed reading and writing poetry. Marilyn Monroe created the ‘dumb blonde’ stereotype herself, but not as a reflection of her personality, as she was played the role well she was continuously cast for the role, which lead people to believe she is a true dumb blonde. Modern day examples of Marilyn Monroe are alive and well an coming to the television screen or movie theatre near you.
Feminism made itself prominent In the early 1960 's, after the war according to studies women had become smaller, their dress sizes would have dropped dramatically; 3 or 4 sizes for example, and thirty percent of women had dyed their hair blond to look more feminine. The Iconic, Marilyn Monroe, died in 1962, but her legacy did not die with her. Still to this day Many people