Conclusion
Hence, in conclusion, it is understandable why Marilyn Monroe continues to live in the hearts and minds of a succession of generation of Americans. Beyond the United States, her appeal extends to the rest of the world, as she is recognized as a key popular cultural icon. The following passage testifies to how her brand value is only increasing and not diminishing with passing of time: “Over the past 20 years, 1,975 deals for Marilyn Monroe have been signed, ranging from intimate apparel to wine, and, in the past year alone, some 140 deals have been signed, said Salter, who negotiated with the Strasberg family for seven months. Today, there are about 54 live deals worldwide. Some of these are short-term deals and non-exclusives.” (Lockwood, 2011) Some obvious reasons for her success are her genuine innocence, gorgeous looks, the husky-romantic voice and the characteristic blond hair (a symbol of female fertility and attractiveness). But there are more intangible qualities to her personality that contribute to her aura. One such quality is her vulnerability. She was a bold woman in many ways, but also very weak in certain respects. Indeed, these two are two sides of the same coin. That Marilyn was passionate about nothing and worked toward no lofty ambition made her acceptable to Hollywood elites, who propagated her celebrity status. Hence, her great appeal is as much a product of her ordinariness as it is of her glamour and charisma. This also explains who she was able to garner a mass following even when confined to playing roles that were predominantly that of a ‘dumb blonde’. (Banner, 2012)
Works Cited:
Lockwood, Lisa. “An Authentic Marilyn.” Accessmylibrary. 14 Jan. 2011.Web. 22 Nov.2012.
Collins, Andrew. “Pin-up. Sex symbol. Star.” RadioTimes. 26 Nov. 2011.Web. 22 Nov. 2012.
Banner, Lois. Marilyn: The Passion and the Paradox. NY: Bloomsbury, 2012. Print
“Biography for Marilyn Monroe.” IMDb. imdb.com. n.d.Web. 22 Nov. 2012.
Johnson, Grady. “The history behind Marilyn Monroe.” Coronet Magazine. Coronet. 1952.Web.22 Nov. 2012.