Reading response 2-Marilyn Monroe and Sexuality

The 1950s were a time of great change in America. Post-WW2, the soldiers were home and women were starting to become more free and independent having worked domestically during the war. Leisure activities were at an all time high and, as a result, the film industry had to react. Gentleman Prefer Blondes exemplifies this new kind of movie, and its star is the symbol of a generation.

Marilyn Monroe came into the public eye notorious for her looks and her charm, and she personified the foundation of the upcoming sexual revolution. The 1950s were the first time sex became a topic that was talked about publicy, rather than just a taboo. In the Heavenly Bodies reading, Dyer discusses Foucault and his ideas of the repressive hypothesis--the idea that sexuality has been so taboo that it is difficult for people to talk about it. This idea came out in society through Monroe and through publishings such as the Kinsey Report and the Feminine Mystique. Rather than hiding her sexuality, Monroe exemplified the repressive hypothesis by flaunting it and using it to get ahead. By being so free with her body, Monroe made sex not as taboo. Furthermore, as discussed in the reading, Monroe's sexuality came naturally--that is, she did not have to try and be sexy, that's just how she was. In a time of leisure and fun in America post-war, Monroe personified this new free environment. This is also seen through her film roles. The character of Lorelei is carefree and uses her looks and charm to attract men. She doesn't have much drive in life other than to find a rich man who will cover her in diamonds. But she also uses her sexuality to get ahead, much like Monroe. Her sexuality seems normal and fun, and by playing the 'dumb blonde' it seems very natural that she would also look like such a bombeshell.

All of these ideas are exemplified in the scene of the film where Dorothy acts like Lorelai in the courtroom. In portraying her friend, all Dorothy has to do is put on a blonde wig, say some cutesy, silly one-liners and start doing a dance in sexy outfit. Even though they are able to solve the problem by presenting the judge with the tiara, it is still the sexy dance and actions of "Lorelai" that get her off the hook for stealing it in the first place. A character like Lorelai was so similar to Monroe's real life persona and she was an example to women in America that they could use sexuality outside of the home (in the bedroom with their husbands) in order to get away with whatever they wanted and achieve great means in life.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Could the outcome of the trial turned out differently had it gone accordingly, rather than Dorothy causing a scene?
2. Would Monroe have been as successful had she not had blonde hair?
3. If Monroe were alive today, what would the tabloid reaction to her be? Would she be so idolized by the public or was this only the case because in the 50's she was the first woman to truly act that way whereas today, we expect this sort of behavior from our female "celebutantes"?