The genesis of Marilyn Monroe's tragic fate is woven with threads of schizophrenia, the #MeToo movement of golden Hollywood, and the influence of unscrupulous therapists.
Discovered lifeless on August 5, the iconic actress had already begun shedding light on the harassment prevalent among actresses in the 1950s.
One pivotal moment unfolded in January 1960 when Marilyn, grappling with a fragmented soul, summoned Dr. Ralph Greenson to the Beverly Hills Hotel. Expressing her desire to escape, she confided in the doctor during a psychoanalysis session, initiating a therapeutic alliance that sought to address the demons of her tumultuous past.
Marilyn's tumultuous childhood, marked by economic instability and instances of abuse within adoptive families, haunted her. The revelation of her mother's paranoid schizophrenia and subsequent separation fueled her fears of inheriting the same affliction. A directive from her agent to sever ties with her mentally ill mother for the sake of public image intensified her psychological burdens.
Schizophrenia's exact causes remain elusive, but the interplay of genetics, brain chemistry, and environment is believed to contribute to its manifestation. In Marilyn's case, a life immersed in substance abuse, a hostile environment, and exploitation within the exploitative golden Hollywood star system took a toll on her mental health.
To navigate the abusive contracts and exploitation endemic to Hollywood's golden era, Marilyn, like many actresses, resorted to compromising situations with producers. Her memoirs exposed the dark underbelly of the industry, describing Hollywood as a "crowded brothel" and a "carousel of beds instead of horses."
Marilyn's courage echoed that of her contemporaries, including Tippi Hedren, Judy Garland, and Maureen O'Hara, who, ahead of the #MeToo movement, spoke out against harassment in Hollywood. The normalization of such exploitation, evident in 1930s press references to the "casting couch," underscores the pervasive nature of abuse within the film industry.
In 2017, actress Joan Collins shared Marilyn's warning about the predatory nature of Hollywood, emphasizing the power dynamics and potential repercussions for defying the influential figures. Marilyn's struggle against the stereotype of a dumb, frivolous blonde reflected a desire for more complex roles, leading her to move to New York in 1954. There, she enrolled in the Actors Studio and began therapy with Margaret Hohenberg, delving into literature, Sigmund Freud, and psychoanalysis.
Marilyn's pursuit of complexity in her roles faced resistance from studios, prompting her move to New York. Her interactions in this period were primarily with writers like Arthur Miller and Truman Capote. Capote recounted an incident where he found Marilyn staring into her mirror, responding, "Looking at her," revealing a poignant glimpse into her introspective struggle.
The tragic narrative of Marilyn Monroe intertwines with mental health battles, systemic exploitation, and a fervent pursuit of self-discovery, leaving an enduring legacy that transcends the glitz of Hollywood.
