Hollywood Stars

May 2, 2020

Monroe and Feminism

Posted by ddonovan in Uncategorized    

Marilyn Monroe is one of the most famous stars of all time. When it comes to female (or male) stars from decades ago, she is one of the most well-known names, and for many reasons. She influenced our culture in a lot of ways, but none quite like how she influenced the feminist movement. When breaking down Monroe’s professional career, there is irony in the difference in effects between males and females that her sexuality created.

 

Marilyn Monroe was the first playboy model. Playboy pushed for a new way of thinking about sexuality, and Monroe was perfect for their image. She posed in new and bizarre ways, always looking natural and sexy in the nude. Playboy celebrated sex and believed that when sex is emphasized in culture instead of being repressed, people will be much happier. The feminist population at the time did not approve of Monroe exposing her body, while men did. Men would discuss Monroe and fantasy about a night with her. Women at the time believed in suppressing sexual desire and concealing their bodies.
Marilyn Monroe, Playboy Magazine, First issue Greeting Card for ...
https://images.app.goo.gl/qMM7LgSHr2ChSzWh8

 

Monroe’s performance in Gentlemen Prefer Blonde’s is a great example of how men respond to her image. Monroe’s character, Lorelei Lee, interacts with her lover’s father in a scene that displays how men interacted with the dumb blonde stereotype. Here is the scene:

The father thinks that Lorelei Lee just wants to marry his son for his money. Lorelei compares wealth in men to a woman being pretty, stating that both “certainly help” in finding love and a happy life. The father is taken aback by her wits, and it shows how Monroe’s dumb blonde image, both cemented by her performances in cinema and photoshoots, puts women in a box socially. Her Playboy shoots and acting performances had men stereotyping women and thinking of them in a sexual way, disregarding their social intelligence just like the father in that scene. The producers of the film were both exposing the social climate of the time, but also appealing to men who had that perception of women.

 

The irony in the connections between Monroe, sexuality, and feminism is found in the flip in ideology between genders decades later. Today, the feminist community celebrates women who own their body, a concept that Monroe can be credited for starting. Movements like “free the nipple” are common with more radical feminist groups, and it is ironic that a lot of men are not fond of this. When Monroe was making progressive movements, men loved being able to look at her exposed skin and create stereotypes to fit women in to. However, the progression has continued so far that it is now the women that are in favor of it, while men may find themselves upset by it. Perhaps men feel threatened by this movement and how it represents women making movements for equality and breaking out of social boxes in our culture.

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To conclude, Marilyn Monroe contributed to society in many ways. It is interesting to observe the difference in the way the two sexes perceived her sexuality then compared to now. Feminist movements today threaten male power and it is ironic to compare the comfort men held in the Monroe’s time to the lack of comfort now, also credited to Monroe in some ways.



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