Marilyn Monroe was considered a popular sex symbol during the 50s. First having success as a model, and then actress, and singer, she was able to do it all in a talented way. She was able to overcome a difficult childhood without her parents, and eventually become the star she is known as today. In a short time Marilyn was able to live her life to the fullest, having the fame, and enough love affairs to last a century. However, she couldn’t completely get away from her past, getting involved with drugs, and having a mental breakdown.
An American Icon is someone whose works, life, and message withstand the test of time. In order to understand Marilyn Monroe’s impact as America’s sex symbol one must have an explanation of her background, an overview of her career as an actress, and an analysis of her critic’s reviews. Marilyn Monroe was born as Norma Jeane Mortensen on june 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, California (“Marilyn Monroe Biography” 1). Norma Jeane was born into unfortunate circumstances, because her mother struggled with mental illness and she never knew her father (Haas 2). Monroe's early childhood was full of "traumatic" experiences which could justify her dependence on psychoanalysis as an adult.
“She was an epitome of sensuality, beauty and effervescence and was naturally photogenic.”(Leaming, 1998) explains how her beauty got her started on her career. She had intelligence, beauty, vulnerability, and sexiness. This continues to inspire fans to this very day, nearly 50 years after her death. With her butting success, Norma Jean decided to change her name to Marilyn Monroe. Her most motivating quality was her childhood pain and focus to become somethin... ... middle of paper ... ...t agree with Hollywood’s ways, as in her quote, “Hollywood is a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.” (Marilyn Monroe).
This time ended up being fatal and she was died at the age of 36 years old. Marilyn Monroe was a beautiful and talented person, it’s a shame that her life came to end when she was so young and at such a high point in her career. “The curves, blonde hair, and enigmatic pout were part of Marilyn Monroe’s glamorous yet wistful appeal. Together with her films this has made her an American legend.” (Unknown 36) She is now the most written about film star in history and it’s obvious why.
Also, Marilyn Monroe often struggled with depression. {marilyn monroe and her struggle with depression} Many people think she struggled with depression because of her three failed marriages and 2 miscarriages. Joe Dimaggio was one of Marilyn’s husbands. When they divorced in 1954, Marilyn accused him of “mental cruelty”. She also married Arthur Miller, a famous playwright, but sadly their marriage ended in 1961.
She has one of the most recognized faces in the world. Over forty years after her death, Marilyn Monroe‘s life and death is still in question. Her trademark platinum hair and beauty mark, her famous skirt-blowing scene, which eventually she became ashamed of because no one could see the woman who was intellectual had feelings and worked hard behind the glitter, the gold and the smiles. Everyone knew this Marilyn Monroe, but did anybody know Norma Jeane Baker? Marilyn Monroe was a Hollywood icon, maybe even a legend, but who was this luminous woman, and was the happy woman that everyone knew capable of killing herself?
To conclude, Marilyn Monroe had a life filled with popularity, success, and fame. Unfortunately her life was taken too soon and many unanswered questions still remain as to the cause of her death. The mystery that has caused many to question and suspect that a conspiracy was involved. Did she take her own life, due to depression even though she had more fame than a single human being can imagine, or was it the cause of something more sinister, such as a murder to cover up a secret that was on the verge of being told? We may never know but we do know that she left behind a legacy as an actress that will continue to intrigue her fans for many years to come.
She was a skilled actress and a kind woman, even if she was marketed as a purely sexual star. Furthermore, Marilyn Monroe said, “A sex symbol becomes a thing—I just hate to be a thing. But if I'm going to be a symbol of something, I'd rather have it sex” (Encyclopedia of World Biography). This was referring to her becoming a sex idol. Marilyn Monroe’s prowess as an actress and her image has kept her alive for over half a century in people’s hearts and minds, and she will continue to be an American
Marilyn’s mother was working long hours at the film lab just to make ends meet. She became very tired and nervous; life became difficult for her. She had been sent to the Norwalk State hospital for Mental Diseases for a rest when Marilyn was only five years old. That was what caused her to have a nervous breakdown and that is what caused Marilyn to spend her childhood in and out of foster homes. When Gladys first went to the hospital, Marilyn moved in with her mother’s best friend.
She had awful memories from her childhood, which she could recall all too well. Marilyn’s mother was a film cutter at RKO studies, who was mentally ill, widowed, and had abandoned Marilyn to a series of foster homes (Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962)). The identity of her father has remained a mystery, but some have claimed that it was Martin Edward Mortenson, and others have sad Charles Gifford. Her mother was mentally ill, and so not ready to take of Marilyn when she came home from the hospital, therefore her mother sent her off to foster care for the next few years. Later on, she reclaimed Marilyn, but a subsequent mental breakdown, forced her to be institutionalized at the state hospital (Marilyn Monroe).