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Schools and Churches are institutions in society where priests and teachers act as spokespersons to spread a certain set of attitudes, beliefs, and values. Similarly, Hollywood is also a very powerful modern-day institution, where a star's image can reappropriate, shape, and circulate societal myths and ideologies. The construction of a star's image as a commodity of their societal myths and ideologies has the extraordinary power to exert messages so that even the smallest details become significant yet not overtly obvious. This essay explores how Hollywood, Playboy, and other media reflect and influence society's values, using Marilyn Monroe's depiction as a prime example.
A star's image is created through a range of representations churned out by Hollywood, making it a dominant force in shaping societal norms. Capitalism, resulting from the commercialization of these images, has further strengthened Hollywood's influence on society. In the mid-20th century, a re-emerging image in Hollywood was that of the sex symbol, epitomized by Marilyn Monroe in the 1950s.
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Monroe, Hollywood's archetypal sex symbol, created cultural phenomena that solidified her immortal and legendary status.
The first-ever issue of Playboy magazine featuring Marilyn Monroe as the covergirl serves as a lens through which we can deconstruct societal attitudes of that era. By decoding meaning from this magazine cover, the visual and written text become communicators for both obvious and subtle meanings conveyed through Monroe's image. The slogan 'Entertainment for Men' is a signifier for the downclassing of females as nothing more than sexual objects in our society.
This categorization reinforces the 1950s discourse of a male-dominated world where women were considered the 'lesser' sex. Media industries, primarily controlled by males, utilized Monroe's image to legitimize their power, creating a marketable image aimed at a well-defined audience—males.
Classifying Monroe as merely 'Entertainment for Men' contributed to behavioral ideologies in society, portraying women as objects for male desires. The cultural myths drawn from such slogans created a sense of inferiority for females, suggesting that their body and sexual allure were their only resources. These ideologies naturalized Monroe's image as the cultural norm, reinforcing the belief that women should aspire to be objects of desire for the benefit of males.
Marilyn Monroe established her temptress image through multiple publicity shots, and an essential element contributing to this image is her facial expression. Monroe's universally familiar expression—face raised, mouth open, and bared teeth—became vital to her marketable and sexual image. These idiosyncrasies of her facial expression are signifiers that help create her marketable and sexual image. The open mouth and bared teeth become overt signs of sexual allure, playfulness, and seductiveness, contributing to the ideologies that females have to appear as sexual objects to remain marketable in society.
Monroe's positioning in the center of the magazine cover signifies that she is the 'one and only,' loved by the camera and everybody else. By leaving the background blank (excluding the written text), nothing rivals or detracts from the focus on her body. The photograph is a cutout of Monroe's figure, sending a message to the viewer that she is an object and a commercial package where her only worth is her body. The extremely low-cut and revealing dress she wears in this photograph is a symbol of glamour and an unequivocally sexual image.
The signs, such as her dress and gold earrings, refer to glamour and an unequivocally sexual image. The slinky evening dress, the fur wrap she is sitting on, and the revealing of bare skin all combine to create an invitation for male readers to view her solely as a sex object. The key coloring of white is a signifier of innocence, virginity, and goodness. The myth of girlishness and innocence can be rejected, as the magazine specifically known for sexual exploitation features Monroe as a sex symbol. However, viewed diachronically, the fact that she was exploited as a star only reinforces the myth of innocence.
In terms of Monroe's popularity, the representation of her image in magazines such as Playboy worked in her favor during the 1950s. She satisfied the social reality of women being classed as inferior and brainless objects, thus providing meaning as to why she was such a cultural sensation and a universally adored icon. Monroe's image, as the prototypical sex symbol of the 1950s, illustrates the social construction and ideologies upheld in that period.
Society was encouraged by Hollywood as an institution to approve of and accept values associated with the Monroe persona. Her image, which served the interests of men, supported cultural ideologies endorsing her as the embodiment of the utopian American dream—a white, subversive, blonde-haired female. Monroe's image naturalized the dominating discourse in the 1950s of females as sex objects, where for a woman to be successful, she had to be beautiful.
As more people challenged ideologies and rejected the dominant discourse of females as sexual objects, an image has emerged that portrays women as more powerful and independent, reflecting the changing role of women in society. The myth that utilitarianism and Hollywood equate to success and happiness can be rejected by deconstructing Monroe's image, justifying that a star is merely a commercial package. The evolving representation of women in media showcases a shift toward empowerment and independence, challenging the traditional roles imposed by society.
Throughout history, women have faced stereotypes and societal expectations that limited their roles and opportunities. Marilyn Monroe, while an iconic figure, was also confined to a narrow portrayal as a sex symbol, reinforcing the idea that a woman's worth lay primarily in her physical appearance. However, as societal norms began to shift, brave women in the media industry started challenging these stereotypes.
Actresses, writers, and activists worked tirelessly to redefine the narrative surrounding women, advocating for complex characters and diverse representations. This shift wasn't immediate, and the struggle for genuine equality and representation is an ongoing battle. Nonetheless, it is essential to acknowledge the triumphs achieved by women who dared to defy societal expectations.
It's crucial to recognize that the challenges women face in the media are not uniform across all demographics. Intersectionality plays a significant role in shaping the narratives surrounding women, with factors such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation influencing the portrayal of individuals in the media. As society progresses, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that media representation reflects the diversity and complexity of women's experiences.
In conclusion, Hollywood, Playboy, and other media play a crucial role in reflecting and influencing society's values. Marilyn Monroe's image serves as a poignant example of how media constructs and perpetuates societal myths and ideologies. By deconstructing the visual and written elements of her representation in Playboy magazine, we uncover the intricate web of signs and symbols that shaped societal attitudes in the 1950s. As society evolves, so does the representation of women in media, moving away from traditional roles and embracing empowerment. Understanding the influence of media on societal values allows us to critically analyze and question the messages propagated by these influential institutions.
Furthermore, the evolution of female representation in media highlights the triumphs and challenges faced by women breaking free from stereotypes. The ongoing struggle for genuine equality emphasizes the need for intersectionality in media portrayal, ensuring that diverse voices and experiences are authentically represented. As we navigate the complexities of societal expectations, it becomes evident that media has the power to shape, challenge, and redefine our perceptions of women and their roles in the world.
Media's Impact: Marilyn Monroe and the Evolution of Women. (2020, Jun 02). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/marilyn-monroe-2-new-essay
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