Marilyn Monroe Essay

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? On June 1, 1926 a woman named Gladys Monroe Baker had a little girl named Norma Jeane. Gladys’ mental instability led to Norma Jeane being in and out of several foster homes where she was mentally, sexually and physically abused. Finally she moved in with her mothers friend Grace Goddard who was the one person who truly cared for and inspired Norma in her young life. Grace told Norma how beautiful she was and that someday she would be an actress.

She was able to face hardship in her life, not knowing her mother so well, and not knowing her father at all. She was able to come for rags to riches, and receive the fame, and fortune she dreamed of. However, her battle with depression, and addiction was a lost she will forever be known as an esteemed actress, a talented model, and a beautiful singer. Inspiring to women to be comfortable with themselves, and achieve goals that most women of her time couldn’t have without condemnation. She symbolizes the ambition that female should express.

Is the name Norma Jean Baker familiar? Maybe, but due to a suggestion Ben Lyon provided, the name Marilyn Monroe is sure to gain recognition as the 1940’s thespian (Encyclopedia of World Biography). Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Baker and grew up to become the sex icon Marilyn Monroe, a singer, actress, and comedienne. She is remembered mainly for her talents and her nude photos from the 1940’s, which helped her to become an icon. One article states, “Legendary film actress Marilyn Monroe will be remembered for her sensuous beauty, her acting talent, and her psychological torment” (DISCovering Biography).

The media created Monroe’s sexy image at first, but she used it to become famous. Later on she tried to use her action to get rid her sexy image. Even though many feminists think Monroe is a victim through Monroe’s sexualized image, Monroe’s image has influenced f... ... middle of paper ... ...ized as a feminist already. Her actions reveal a person who was far more than the sexy dumb blonde she supposed to be in the movies. Monroe passed away just before feminism made clear that women have every human possibility.

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?

Marilyn Monroe even after being dead for forty-eight years has been and will be one of the biggest public figures known. Her name is recognized everywhere, all know Marilyn Monroe, her images gives us thoughts of scandal, sadness, beauty, movies, and loss. She captivated the world with her sex appeal and innocence; she had that special chemistry that a camera always seemed to find and love. Her personality characteristics enabled her to become one of the most famous stars of Hollywood but the same traits also brought about her downfall. Norma Jean Mortenson/Baker or Marilyn Monroe as we know her, was born June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California.

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.

Marilyn left a legacy though, through many movies, and very public relationships, the nation got to see every side of her. Her beauty made her a goddess, but her faults made her human. Norma Jean Baker was born to Gladys Baker and an unknown father, in 1926 in Los Angeles, California (“Biography” 1). Not even two weeks after she was born she was put in a foster home when her mother was institutionalized because she was mentally ill, and consequently she couldn't take care of her daughter (Henriksen). Soon after going through numerous orphanages and foster homes she was adopted by Grace McKee, which was her mother’s best friend (Biography par.

She is known for her movies and for her promiscuous love life. She was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California (Marilyn Monroe Biography, 2010). She was born to a mother who had severe psychiatric problems and an unknown father. Her mother was institutionalized for her psychiatric problems and Marilyn was put in foster care (Marilyn Monroe Biography, 2010). She bounced around in foster homes until age 16 when she married her first husband Jimmy Doughtery (Marilyn Monroe Biography, 2010).

A blonde beautiful sexy girl whose white dress was flying is one of the most famous images that the American actress, singer, and model Marilyn Monroe made in the 20th century. As a popular icon and sex symbol in the 1950s, Monroe has influenced many artists since then. Her imitators include Madonna, Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, and even Lady Gaga. This can be a way to explain how the marketing of media works. Marilyn Monroe’s image uses her sexy appeal to show a powerful and independent woman in the 21st century.