Supreet, S. (2009). [Picture]. Retrieved from http://www.topnews.in/people/marilyn-monroe
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was born June 1, 1926th in Los Angeles, California (A&E Networks, n.d). Marilyn spent most of her time in foster homes growing up due to her only care taker, her mother, having severe mental illness (A&E Networks, n.d). In order to get out of the foster care system she married young to, Jimmy Doughtery (A&E Networks, n.d). Over time she became a model, an actress, a singer, and a sex symbol. Marilyn died on August 6th, 1962 due to an overdose of sleeping pills (A&E Networks, n.d). Her death at such a young age shocked many, but her short time in the world had a large impact on society.
The thing that made Marilyn Monroe so special was that she was an original celebrity for her time. She was one of the first women to publicize herself in a sexual way, while still being accepted to a large portion of society. In the early 1900’s, showing a woman’s curves off was seen as taboo, but Marilyn Monroe was capable of making woman accept their bodies and made being curvy a sexy quality. This enabled woman around the world to feel a connection with Marilyn since she was a true example of the average American woman. This connection that people felt is known as a para-social relationship. A para-social relationship is when a person feels emotional attachment with figures they only know through their representations in the media. (Turner, 2004). Marilyn soon became the new ‘sex symbol’ of North America. Becoming the new sex symbol meant that Marilyn had created an identity for herself. She played a primary role in the process through which individual subjects, communities, and nations construct their social identity (Turner, 2004). Marilyn Monroe affected individuals by allowing them to feel as though they were beautiful by making it to the covers of magazine and becoming a spokes model. This allowed woman to construct their own social identity by allowing Marilyn to make it okay to be curvaceous. She also affected the nation as a whole by becoming a representation of what Western society thought as beautiful. This defined American culture for years to come.
n.a. (2008). [Picture]. Retrieved from http://www.weblo.com/asset_image/491885/144106/Marilyn_Monroe/
Since Marilyn Monroe was the one who opened the door to woman accepting themselves, and creating a new version of beauty, it is understandable as to why her death had such an impact on the public. As Turner explains, “Global mourning had a lot to do with our expectations as consumers, depending on the reliable provision of our favorite commodity; we fully expected that such a figure would continue to be available to play the part we allocated them in our lives” (Turner, 2004). This relates to Marilyn since she played the part of the person who allowed woman to express themselves in an innovative way, and defined a new form of beauty. She was ultimately was a leader to the younger generation of woman. When Marilyn Monroe died, she was no longer available to play the part that so many people looked up to her for. She would no longer be able to push the boundaries of sexuality that was slowly bringing freedom to woman in America. For this reason, many mourned at the idea that their idol was no longer present to make an impact in the world by speaking on behalf of woman.
Although her death was tragic, Marilyn Monroe acted as a voice for the average American woman to be able to feel good with curves and be allowed to show her body off. Her death emphasized the connection she had between herself and the average woman through the emotional upset that was shown in society. By creating the identity of a sex symbol, American woman looked to her as the person who would set the new standards of beauty for years to come. Her death was seen as the end of the progression woman had made to having the freedom to embrace and show off their body since she was no longer around to push boundaries. Fortunately, since her death she is still considered a motivation to society as a woman of beauty, and acts as an inspiration to embrace oneself.
n.a. (2009). [Picture] Retrieved from http://gossip.whyfame.com/michelle-williams-to-play-marilyn-monroe-in-my-week-with-marilyn-drama-1913
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Wikipedia Entry
Marilyn Monroe is a beautiful and interesting celebrity from the past that I was interested on learning more about. When I originally looked at her Wikipedia cite, I noticed that there was no information about her funeral. It talked about the way she died and then her autopsy. I think it is important to also include the way someone’s life is celebrated, not just the heartbreaking aspect of the death. The new information I added to the website was:
DiMaggio took control of the funeral arrangements which consisted of only 31 close family and friends. Police were also present to keep the press away. Lee Strasberg would deliver Marilyn Monroe's eulogy. Her casket was solid bronze and was lined with champagne colored silk. Allan “Whitey” Snyder did her make-up which was supposedly a promise made in earlier years if she were to die before him. She was wearing her favorite green Emilio Pucci dress. In her hands was a small bouquet of pink teacup roses. For the next 20 years, red roses were placed in a vase attached to the crypt, courtesy of Joe DiMaggio.
Using the Wikipedia site was fairly simple; the only challenge was making sure I did proper citing of my source. Making sure I did proper citations is important since Wikipedia checks the sources that the information is coming from to have accurate information posted on their website. The implications this edit may have to Wikipedia will be minor, but it may allow the editors at Wikipedia to see that they missed including an important section in Marilyn Monroe’s page. Making sure the funeral information is there is a respectful way to allow for other’s to gain information on the way a historical woman was honored. In terms of the general construction of knowledge to the public, this information was important to add because these details add to who Marilyn Monroe is. Things such as the silk in her casket and the dress she was wearing help to paint the picture of the classy and fashionable woman that she was.
Turner, G. (2004). Understanding Celebrity. London: Sage.
A & E Televsion Networks. (n.d). Marilyn Monroe Biography. Retrieved February 23rd from URL: http://www.biography.com/articles/Marilyn-Monroe-9412123?part=1
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