Subject: English B

Extended Essay

Marilyn Monroe as a representation of objectification

Research Question: How does Marilyn Monroe's public image

reflect Hollywood's objectification of women in the 1950s and
1960s?

Word Count: 3966

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Table Of Contents:

Introduction ……………………………………………………………………3
Marilyn Monroe’s Life Briefly Explained …………………………………….4
Marilyn Monroe’s Career & Appearance………………………………………5
Gender Roles and Objectification of women ……..…………………………...6
How Monroe reflects gender roles and stereotypes……………………………9
Monroe’s attitude towards objectification..........................................................13
Conclusion………………………………………………………………….....14
Bibliography…………………………………………………………………..16

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1. Introduction

Marilyn Monroe was a stunning actress in the 1950s/60s who fascinated society with her

looks. Against an era marked by traditional gender roles and societal expectations, 1Monroe

emerged as an iconic figure in American culture and the Hollywood cinema business.

Through an analysis of her image in the media, her association with Hollywood, her personal

life, and the struggles she went through, this study aims to explore to what extent Marilyn

Monroe reflects the stereotypes about women through the film industry and media. Drawing

upon a wide range of primary and secondary sources, including films, photographs,

biographies, and scholarly literature, this research investigates how Monroe's persona

embodied both empowerment and vulnerability. It examines how her public image intersected

with prevailing gender norms, shaping public perceptions of women. Monroe was a beautiful

and attractive woman who also owned a business of her own but yet, unfortunately, she was

also portrayed as a typical ‘dumb blonde’ figure in the media by society. She was often

offered dumb blonde character roles by the agencies she worked with, especially the famous

Hollywood. These roles were offered on purpose by the producers in the industry because she

was considered a perfect fit with her gorgeous face and perfectly feminine body.

This indicates that women were mostly valued for their looks and seen as just objects most of

the time in the industry. In the 1950s/60s, women were expected to be subservient to men and

to only focus on their looks for the sake of pleasing men. She can be considered a public

victim of the detrimental portrayal of women during that era by society because she was out

there and she reflected the ‘stereotypical perfect woman expectation’ of women during that

era. The film industry's history serves as a mirror reflecting the delayed advancement of

1 Mo. Ozkantar (2023): Unchanging Gender Roles in Changing Digital Media Age

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feminism and women's equal civil rights in society. Commercial films traditionally relied on

the actresses' charm and sexual appeal to ensure great success. Marilyn Monroe achieved

fame and success in à male-dominated industry. Her career also highlighted the expectations

and challenges that women faced back in the day Early films were heavily influenced by

Victorian norms2, shaping the treatment of women on screen. From the 1920s onwards,

cinema capitalized on the public's desire to challenge these values by emphasizing women's

sexuality. In the 1920s, flappers and vamps dominated screens, followed by the emergence of

brash, wisecracking blondes like Jean Harlow in the 1930s. After wartime, in the 1950s and

1960s, the industry saw the rise of idealized, exaggerated sexuality in stars like Marilyn

Monroe and Brigitte Bardot. Throughout different periods, women's depiction in film has

often been varied, superficial, and at times, demeaning.

Marilyn Monroe’s Life Briefly Explained

Marilyn Monroe, naturally Norma Jeane Mortenson was born on June 1, 1926, in Los
Angeles, California, and faced a challenging childhood marked by instability and adversity.
Her mother, Gladys Pearl Baker, struggled with various mental illnesses, and her father's
identity remains uncertain, leaving Norma Jeane in the care of numerous foster homes and
orphanages throughout her childhood years. These experiences profoundly shaped her
upbringing, exposing her to neglect, abuse, and a constant search for stability and belonging
psychologically.

Despite the disruptions to her education, Monroe demonstrated a keen intellect and an innate
curiosity about the world around her. She found peace in books and literature, cultivating a
love for reading and writing that would continue throughout her life. However, she never
completed her formal education, as the demands of her challenging personal life and career in
the entertainment industry took priority.

2 Rosen, Marjorie (1973) : Popcorn Venus ‘Women, Movies and the American Dream’

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Monroe's entry into the world of entertainment began with modeling, where her fascinating
beauty and undeniable charisma caught the eye of talent scouts. She signed her first film
contract with Twentieth Century-Fox in 1946, adopting the stage name "Marilyn Monroe" as
she embarked on her journey to stardom. Over the ensuing years, Monroe would establish
herself as one of Hollywood's most iconic figures, fascinating audiences with her luminous
screen presence and unforgettable performances.

While Monroe achieved great success in her professional life, her personal life was marked by
a series of toxic relationships and struggles with mental health. She was married three times,
to James Dougherty, Joe DiMaggio, and playwright Arthur Miller, but none of these unions
provided the happiness ever after she dreamed of. Monroe's battles with depression, anxiety,
and self-doubt were also affected by the relentless pressures of fame and the harsh opinions of
the media.

Tragically, Monroe's life was cut short on August 5, 1962, when she was found dead in her
Brentwood home at the young age of 36. Her death, officially ruled a probable suicide due to
an overdose of barbiturates, shocked the world and left a profound void in the entertainment
industry. However, speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding the circumstances of her
demise have persisted, fueling endless speculation and debate among scholars and fans alike.

Despite her tragic death, Marilyn Monroe's legacy is a symbol of beauty, vulnerability, and
the complexities of fame. Her life and career continue to fascinate and inspire generations of
admirers, reinforcing her status as an enduring icon of popular culture and a subject of
fascination for scholars, artists, and fans.

5
Career

She began her career as a model, working for numerous agencies and photographers. The young

model then transitioned to acting and made her film debut in à minor role in the film “Scudda Hoo!

Scudda Hay!”.She had no idea that the prime times of her career were just about to start when she

signed à contract with 20th Century Fox in 1946.3 This contract is marked to be the beginning of her

journey to stardom. After taking part in “Niagara” and “Gentleman Prefer Blondes” in 1953 she had à

breakthrough at only 27 years old. People adored watching her in the movies because of her youth and

beauty. Most of her well-known and iconic films such as “The Seven Year Itch” and” Some Like It

Hot” portrayed her as a sex symbol so during the 1950s when she became a bona fide star she was

rather known for her beauty, charisma, and comedic talent. Her performances in these films solidified

her status as a world-famous Hollywood star.4 After she succeeded in her career, she became one of

the earliest celebrities to establish her own production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, giving

her more control over her career. This way she was able to negotiate higher salaries and had a say in

her film choices.

Marilyn’s Appearance

With her iconic blonde hair and super curvy and feminine perfect body, Monroe was expected to

conform to really strict beauty standards of the day of physical attractiveness, proper grooming, and

feminine clothing. She began her career as à model, working for numerous agencies and

photographers. During the beginning period of her career, Norma Jeane underwent a significant

transformation, not only altering her name but also her physical appearance. Originally a brunette by

nature, she opted to bleach her hair blonde, a decision aimed at furthering her career as a model with

the Blue Book Modelling Agency as a blonde and attractive woman.5 Monroe's signature hairstyle,

characterized by its platinum blonde color and luscious curls, has since attained legendary status,

widely regarded as one of the most iconic hairstyles of all time. Moreover, her approach to makeup
3 Carl Rollyson: (2014) Marilyn Monroe: A Life of the Actress, Revised and Updated

4Donald Spoto (2001)Marilyn Monroe: The Biography

5 Zoom in on America-June( 2015) ,Volume XI. Issue 128

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played a pivotal role in shaping her public persona. Viewing makeup as an indispensable

aspect of modeling, Monroe invested considerable attention, considering her makeup on par

with the significance of her attire. Following her ascent to stardom, she enlisted the services

of a dedicated makeup artist, entrusted with the task of preserving and also enhancing her

natural beauty.

2. Traditional gender roles reflected in Marilyn’s film roles

Marilyn Monroe was known for her beauty and sex appeal. In Hollywood films, women were

expected to be beautiful and sexy,6 but they were not taken seriously for their intelligence or

talents. These norms claim that women are dependent on men and that they are so weak that

they are not able to survive by themselves. Her image often aligned with and perpetuated

these roles.7 Women were expected to prioritize their roles as caretakers of the household.

These societal norms restrict women's career choices and limit them to only ‘feminine’ jobs.

For instance, the film “The Seven Year İtch” is strong proof of this argument.

Movie 1: The Seven Year İtch

The Seven Year İtch is a 1955 production American film directed by the famous Billy

Wilder. The film belongs to the romantic comedy genre8. It stars Marilyn Monroe and Tom

Ewell. This movie portrayed Monroe as à seductive housewife, reinforcing the idea that

women should aspire to be attractive and nurturing for the sake of their husbands. This also

dictates the idea that women should be submissive and dependent on men for both financial

and emotional support. This notion of women's dependence is quite evident throughout the

movie. With her iconic blonde hair and super curvy and feminine perfect body, Monroe was

6 Robert Kolker (2016) Film, Form, and Culture: Fourth Edition

7 Freya Rogers (2023)So much more than a star: Marilyn Monroe’s enduring impact on society and culture

8 "The Seven Year Itch". Variety. Reviews. January 1, 1955.

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expected to conform to really strict beauty standards of the day of physical attractiveness,

proper grooming, and feminine clothing. Women were expected to be passive and naive,

which can also be considered an attractive standard that Monroe was also conforming to while

acting her roles. Her image, especially in her portrayals of vulnerable and troubled characters

reinforced male viewers to sexualize and objectify her.

The Seven-Year Itch Photo

The iconic photo, "Marilyn in White” by Bernard, captures Marilyn Monroe in her wind-

blown dress from the movie ‘The Seven-Year Itch’. Later on, the photo was selected as the

“Symbol of the Century” by the Museum of Modern Art located in New York. The image

itself is an obvious demonstration and symbol of how the Hollywood industry perceives

women. The dress she was wearing in that photo was so extremely exaggerated in terms of

value that it was later sold at an auction for 5.6 million dollars.9 This exaggerated price has

made it the world’s most expensive movie costume of all time. The iconic status of the scene

where Marilyn’s white dress is lifted by the wind was further enhanced when a 26-foot-tall

sculpture entitled “Forever Marilyn” made by Seward Johnson was placed on Michigan

Avenue in Chicago in July 2011. After staying there for a year, the sculpture was moved to

Palm Springs, California.

Movie 2: Some Like It Hot

Another example of a film that has been criticized for objectifying and sexualizing women
through the role that Marilyn Monroe plays is; "Some Like It Hot," which can be seen as a
patriarchal composition directed by Billy Wilder and released in 1959. Marilyn starred in this
film with a variety of male actors such as Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, and George Raft - so it
is possible to say that the cast is also male-dominant. The name of the movie is quite self-

9 Zoom in on America-June( 2015) ,Volume XI. Issue 128

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explanatory regarding the exploration of how this movie contributes to sexist stereotypes. The
movie explores how men take marriages and the stereotypical obedient woman for granted
and norms of behavior concerning love10 In this film, Monroe plays the character of Sugar
Kane, a ukulele player, and singer in an all-female band. While Monroe's performance is
widely celebrated and her charisma shines through the film, the character of Sugar Kane is
often seen as a stereotypical portrayal of a naive, vulnerable, and sexually objectified woman.

Throughout the film, Sugar Kane is depicted as a gorgeous blonde bombshell whose primary
role seems to be that of a romantic interest for the male protagonists. She is objectified by the
male characters and the camera lens, with numerous shots focusing on her physical attributes
and emphasizing her sexuality. The character's struggles with romantic relationships and her
desire for a wealthy male partner further reinforce negative traditional gender roles and
stereotypes.

Critics have pointed out that "Some Like It Hot" reflects the prevailing attitudes of its time

regarding women in Hollywood, where actresses like Monroe were often valued more for

their looks and sex appeal rather than their talent or intelligence11. While Monroe's

performance undoubtedly adds depth and complexity to the character of Sugar Kane, the

film's portrayal of her as a vulnerable dumb blonde has been the subject of exploration and

debate among audiences... The movie explores how men take marriages and the stereotypical

obedient woman for granted and the norms of behavior concerning love12. Some Like İt Hot

displays such a female character that female sexuality seems subordinated to male pleasure.

Marilyn has an image that conforms perfectly to the ‘white goddess’ symbol with her

perfectly bleached blond hair and super white skin in the movie. The ‘Dumb Blonde’

stereotype is highly reflected through the behavior of characters towards her. The idea in the

media that Monroe was so stereotyped, that people couldn't see her as a craftswoman, as a

10 María Jesús Martínez Universidad de Zaragoza : Some Like It Hot: The Blurring of Gender Limits
11 Scott Richardson : Blurred Lines of a Different Kind: Sexism,
12 María Jesús Martínez Universidad de Zaragoza : Some Like It Hot: The Blurring of Gender Limits

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talented practitioner of the art, but only as a symbol arose because of the kind of roles she

played. In the transcript, there is a scene where Marilyn puts her hands on her face;

“This photo she [Marilyn] loved especially since it transmitted a sense of loneliness. [...]

When she puts her hands to her face like this, you have a feeling that she is crying for help.

For me, the main point this photo is making is a cry for help. You can think she cries "Help

me, I'm in danger!" (Transcript of the TV program by the author) “13

This exemplifies how she was rather portrayed as a male-dependent and weak woman, instead

of an empowering and strong being. The innocence, sexiness, dependence, and vulnerability

got ahead of her real character.

Because of the twisted stereotypical prejudice towards Marilyn, lots of men in the industry

had an opinion about her and there have been numerous interviews of men talking about

Marilyn such as the following interview with Arthur Miller :

“When you photographed her, she controlled and manipulated the whole set: me the camera…

She knew her way around cameras and enticed reactions from them like I have seen no other

person do. She got whatever she wanted simply because the pressure of shooting a film,

which would threaten to bury her, was missing.”14

These sentences also show that because of her looks and beauty, men thought she had an easy

way of getting things done effortlessly.

Movie Names

From her early career to the end, Marilyn has starred in 29 movies in total15. The linguistic

objectification of women is reflected in the names of the movies Marilyn has taken the main

13Winfried Nöth, Nina Bishara: Self-reference in the Media

14 Winfried Nöth, Nina Bishara: Self-reference in the Media

15 Marilyn’s Full filmography, isan.org

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character role, such as Let’s Make Love, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Some Like It Hot, ladies

of the Chorus, something’s Got to Give, we’re Not Married, love happy, love nest, the prince

and the showgirl, the fireball, how to marry a millionaire. These movie names are chosen

strategically to catch the attention of the audience. All of the movies mentioned above go by

the romantic comedy genre and although this essay can not explore each of these movies

individually, the names are picked specifically for a reason.

Moving along, besides the classic Hollywood movies that were launched in the 1950s-60s,

recent pieces of work have been launched for curious fans who want to learn more about and

deep dive into the facts of Marilyn Monroe’s life.

‘The Mystery Of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes” 16is a Netflix documentary launched

in 2022. It consists of real unheard tapes therefore it is possible to consider this work as first-

hand 17 evidence, which means that the information is obtained by, coming from, or being

direct personal observation or experience concerning Monroe’s life except for the subjective

comments. The iconic symbols of her stardom such as the white dress, blonde hair, beauty

mark, sex appeal, charisma, and mental problems are just some of the topics mentioned in the

documentary/movie. The movie unpacks the real character of Marilyn besides the one-

dimensional form in which some parts of society tend to see Marilyn as such a mere symbol.

Emma Cooper, the director says; “To me, Marilyn had always been a bit one-dimensional, by

the end of this process, she’d become a much more real person to me, with more modernity as

a woman than I’d ever seen in her.”18 These statements also prove how shallow and

16 Charles Bramesco (2022): You become obsessed with her’: the enduring fascination with Marilyn Monroe , The
Guardian

17 Oxford Languages ,“Firsthand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/firsthand. Accessed 9 Feb. 2024.

18 Charles Bramesco (2022): The Documentary Films, The Guardian ;İnterview

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objectified the perception of Marilyn is. The director herself claims to understand her and to

be able to see her as a real human being only after producing the documentary with the

unheard tapes.

Another new release is ‘Blond’, a movie launched in 2022. Blond is an American

biographical psychological drama film which is written and directed by Andrew Dominik.

Dominik was inspired by the ‘2000 novel of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates when he

was writing the script. The movie deep dives into Mailyn’s life from subjective perspectives

but remains factual as there are parts of her life demonstrated. In this case, as the movie is

considered to be a biography rather than fiction, the demonstration of how the actress is

portrayed or displayed has a crucial value. The demonstration of her real-life actions and

behavior shows the audience how weak, vulnerable, and obedient men she is being perceived

as. In most of the scenes, she is either naked, crying, sad, depressed, sexualized, or being

around numerous men. It would not be suitable to claim that these scenes are ‘realistic’

because when further investigation is done, there is no evidence that the events happening are

entirely true. But the perception of an unrealistic and vulnerable woman is displayed in the

other literary works mentioned in this article, therefore it is possible to generalize that

unfortunately the famous actress has been seen in some kind of objectified way dominantly.

On the contrary, while her image was often associated with the objectification of women and

traditional gender norms, her impact on feminist discourse have been discussed within

feminist circles. Some feminist groups argued that she presents both the objectification and

empowerment of women.19 While exploring her impact on objectification, her relation with

feminism should not be neglected to ensure critical thinking in this area of exploration. 20 As

mentioned before in the article, although most of the audience argues that her image

perpetuates harmful stereotypes and objectification of women, others stick with the idea that
19 Cohen, Lisa. "The Horizontal Walk: Marilyn Monroe, CinemaScope, and Sexuality."
20 Sarah Churchwell, "The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe" (Granta Books, 2004)

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Monroe's life and career can be viewed through a feminist perspective, especially in terms of

her empowerment and breaking societal norms. In the book, “The Many Lives Of Marilyn

Monroe”, it is argued how Monroe challenged various societal norms regarding female

sexuality and agency. The main idea that is being discussed is that she embraced her

sensuality and celebrated her body, often defying the conventions of the time. Monroe's

openness about her sexuality and desire for independence can be seen as empowering and

aligns with feminist ideals of self-expression. Despite facing numerous obstacles in her

personal life, Monroe was determined to succeed in her career. She fought for better roles,

negotiated for higher pay, and established her own production company to have more control

over her work.21 Contrary to the dumb blonde persona often given to her, she surrounded

herself with intellectuals and artists, engaging in discussions about literature, politics, and

philosophy. Monroe's pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement challenges stereotypes

about women's intelligence and demonstrates her commitment to personal growth. Monroe

also used her platform to advocate for social causes, including racial equality and mental

health awareness. She supported civil rights activists like Ella Fitzgerald and challenged racial

discrimination by insisting that Fitzgerald perform at the Mocambo nightclub, where black

performers were typically excluded. 22Monroe's activism demonstrates her commitment to

social justice and aligns with feminist principles of equality and inclusivity. It is possible that

she was aware of the objectification and she did not just accept the negative roles being

pushed on her which shows her attitude towards gender norms and objectification.

21 Michelle Morgan, "Marilyn Monroe: Private and Confidential" (St. Martin's Press, 2012)
22 Lois Banner, "Marilyn: The Passion and the Paradox" (Bloomsbury Publishing, 2012)

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Conclusion

In conclusion, the research conducted throughout this essay shows that Marilyn Monroe was a

public victim of women objectification and sexualization in the Hollywood industry.

Monroe's career and personal life exemplified the prevalent detrimental portrayal of women

during the 1950s/60s era in the United States. She was objectified and reduced to her looks

and sex appeal, while her intelligence and talents were overlooked. This portrayal of women

as subservient and incapable had a lasting impact on the perception of women in society. That

is the reason why such documentaries and movies like Blond, which was mentioned in this

essay, are still being produced about her controversial life.

Unfortunately, Monroe’s image was reduced as such and she is still being memorized today

with her looks and attractive image rather than her talent and acting skills. Objectification and

prejudices have detrimental outcomes on beings and societies. Popular individuals, such as

the famous Marilyn Monroe, are usually the victims of objectification and similar societal

issues because they can be seen as public figures. It is crucially important to recognize and

challenge these harmful stereotypes and the objectification of women to promote gender

equality and empower women.

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