Marilyn Monroe Born Norma Jeane Baker in Her mother was admitted to a mental institution so she spent her childhood in foster care. Married a 21 year old neighbour at the age of 16. Became a model, then started to study acting. Divorced in Dyed her hair blonde and changed her name to Marilyn Monroe (later to be known as the ‘blonde bombshell’). First movie role in Married baseball superstar Joe DiMaggio in 1954, but they divorced just nine months later. Married playwright Arthur Miller in 1956, divorced Romantically linked to JFK and his brother Bobby. Died August 5 th 1962, aged 36.

Her Death Marilyn Monroe’s death is one of the most debated conspiracy theories of the 20 th century. She was found dead in her bed by her housekeeper. A coroner ruled that her death was ‘probably suicide’, caused by ‘acute barbiturate poisoning’. Others including the first police officer on the scene, believe she was murdered.

Celebrity Pressures In your groups, discuss what pressures a world-famous celebrity, such as Marilyn Monroe might face. Thinking of specific examples, how do different celebrities deal with pressures of their success?

Celebrity Death Name some iconic celebrity figures who have died young. Why do their deaths make such an impact?

The Death of Marilyn Munro by Edwin Morgan Read over the poem again, before discussing the following questions about the poem: –What is the poem about? –Who is speaking in the poem? To whom? –What are the main images conveyed in the poem? –What is the mood of the poem? –Why do you think Edwin Morgan wrote the poem? –What do you all think about the poem (you don’t have to agree!)?

Make notes under the following headings: Word choice Tone Imagery Structure Content Rhythm Theme Sound Ideas

Word Choice ‘Los Angeles’ repeated – emphasises this as main factor to blame for her death. Lists used to suggest all the potential causes of her death. Word choice on lines features lots of negative connotations of her suffering - ‘inquisition’ / ‘torment’ / ‘death’ / ‘anguish’/ ‘pain’ / ‘dissolve’ / ‘dying’. ‘nembutal bed’ – metaphor. Drugs aided her sleep. ‘cantword’ – unusual word choice. Idea of communication being insincere / pointless. Poet stressing it is important / significant. ‘limp’ & ‘grinning’ – sinister impression of the character of ‘Uncertainty’.

Tone At start very uncertain – lots of questions. Confused – doesn’t know who or what to blame for the death. Tone gets less angry and more sad as poet reflects on Monroe’s loneliness / death (see word choice lines 10-15). Positive tone comes across in Monroe’s speech to her friend. Returns to accusatory tone at the end. Quite critical of America.

Imagery Metaphor – ‘crumpled orphan’ – child-like / alone / neglected / piece of rubbish / ruined / destroyed / damaged. ‘White hearse’ – Unusual description. Suggests innocence / purity / child-like. ‘autograph hunters’ – metaphor - suggests she is their prey. Describes her in her death-bed – naked and calling for help. Vulnerable / alone. ‘nembutal bed’ – metaphor – bed of drugs / drugs aided her sleep. Personification – ‘uncertainty’ compared to a sinister or threatening living entity / voyeur who offers her drugs / escape. The fact it is brought to life emphasises how uncertain / confused Monroe was before she died. ‘All arms...faded’ – metaphor – conveying idea that nobody left to comfort / protect her.

Structure Use of questions at beginning and end – uncertain / no answers. Repetition of ‘Los Angeles’ at start and end of poem – main factor to blame for her death. Lines 5-14 one long sentence – all the details of her anguish / suffering. Line 19 – enjambment isolates word ‘America’ – the cause of her suffering (pursuit of American Dream / celebrity pressures etc.)

Content Her innocence. Describes her death. Discusses who or what might be to blame for her death. Speculates about what killed her / why she died.

Rhythm No regular / obvious rhythm in the poem. Perhaps form represents content – no clear resolution / answers to the poet’s questions. Death was irregular.

Theme Responsibility Celebrity pressures Drugs Loneliness Death Blame American Dream Suicide Fame

Sound Line 12 – ‘bewildering barbiturates’ (alliteration). Adds to the description – suggests the impact the drugs had. Line 11 – ‘limp’ ‘grinning’ – assonance used to create more sinister impression of ‘uncertainty’. Line 20 – ‘communication is a cantword’ – alliteration. Makes reader consider why she couldn’t communicate / how she tried to and failed.

Ideas Pressures of being celebrity. Was it suicide or not? Suspicion – placing the blame. Nakedness – sexual / vulnerable / accidental. Los Angeles / Hollywood superficial. Frustration of not knowing the answers. Who is responsible for her death?