Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: Early Life and Rise to Fame
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Knowledge check
Q1. What was Marilyn Monroe's birth name?
- A. Norma Jeane Mortensen
- B. Norma Jean Baker ✓
- C. Marilyn Monroe
- D. Marjorie Monroe
Why: Marilyn Monroe was born as Norma Jean Baker.
Q2. Where was Marilyn Monroe born?
- A. New York City ✓
- B. Los Angeles
- C. Chicago
- D. Kansas City
Why: Marilyn Monroe was born in New York City.
Q3. Which famous photographer discovered Marilyn Monroe?
- A. David LaChapelle
- B. George Hurrell ✓
- C. Annie Liebovitz
- D. Richard Avedon
Why: George Hurrell was the famous photographer who discovered Marilyn Monroe.
Q4. What was Marilyn Monroe's first major film role?
- A. Some Like It Hot
- B. The Seven-Year Itch
- C. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
- D. Niagara ✓
Why: Marilyn Monroe's first major film role was in Niagara.
Q5. In which year did Marilyn Monroe marry Arthur Miller?
- A. 1956 ✓
- B. 1958
- C. 1960
- D. 1962
Why: Marilyn Monroe married Arthur Miller in 1956.
Module 2
Module 2: The Making of a Hollywood Icon
The Making of a Hollywood Icon
Knowledge check
Q1. What was Marilyn Monroe's birth name?
- A. Norma Jeane Mortenson ✓
- B. Marylin Monroe
- C. Marilyn Monroe
- D. Norma Jeane Baker
Why: Marilyn Monroe was born as Norma Jeane Mortenson, and later changed her name to Norma Jeane Baker before becoming Marilyn Monroe.
Q2. Which film marked Marilyn Monroe's breakthrough in Hollywood?
- A. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
- B. How to Marry a Millionaire
- C. The Seven-Year Itch
- D. Some Like It Hot ✓
Why: Some Like It Hot was the film that solidified Marilyn Monroe's status as a major Hollywood star and is considered her breakthrough role.
Q3. Which of the following actors was NOT paired with Marilyn Monroe in a film?
- A. Clark Gable
- B. Tony Curtis
- C. Frank Langella ✓
- D. Albert Brooks
Why: Frank Langella and Albert Brooks were not paired with Marilyn Monroe in any of her films, while Clark Gable and Tony Curtis were.
Q4. What was the name of Marilyn Monroe's first husband?
- A. Arthur Miller
- B. Joe DiMaggio ✓
- C. Jackie Gleason
- D. Barry Fitzgerald
Why: Marilyn Monroe's first husband was Joe DiMaggio, a famous baseball player.
Q5. Which of the following was NOT a cause of Marilyn Monroe's death?
- A. Drug overdose
- B. Suicide
- C. Accidental drowning
- D. Heart attack ✓
Why: Marilyn Monroe's death was caused by a drug overdose, not a heart attack.
Module 3
Module 3: Personal Struggles and Mental Health
Personal Struggles and Mental Health
Knowledge check
Q1. What was one of Marilyn Monroe's primary mental health struggles?
- A. Anxiety and depression ✓
- B. Schizophrenia
- C. Bipolar disorder
- D. Epilepsy
Why: Marilyn Monroe struggled with anxiety and depression throughout her life, which significantly impacted her personal and professional life.
Q2. Which of the following was a major contributing factor to Marilyn Monroe's mental health issues?
- A. Her childhood trauma and unstable family life ✓
- B. Her successful career
- C. Her financial stability
- D. Her lack of education
Why: Marilyn Monroe's childhood trauma and unstable family life were major contributing factors to her mental health struggles.
Q3. What was the name of Marilyn Monroe's psychiatrist who was also her husband?
- A. Arthur Miller
- B. Dr. Ralph Greenson ✓
- C. Dr. John Wayne
- D. Dr. James Dean
Why: Dr. Ralph Greenson was Marilyn Monroe's psychiatrist and husband, and he played a significant role in her treatment.
Q4. What was the name of the mental health facility where Marilyn Monroe was admitted for treatment?
- A. Canyon View Center ✓
- B. Hollywood Mental Health Clinic
- C. Los Angeles Psychiatric Hospital
- D. Santa Monica Mental Health Center
Why: Marilyn Monroe was admitted to Canyon View Center, a mental health facility in California, for treatment.
Q5. Which of the following events is believed to have triggered a severe mental health crisis for Marilyn Monroe?
- A. Her marriage to Arthur Miller
- B. Her appearance at the 1962 White House luncheon ✓
- C. The death of her mother
- D. Her first film role
Why: Marilyn Monroe's appearance at the 1962 White House luncheon is believed to have triggered a severe mental health crisis due to the intense pressure and public scrutiny.
Module 4
Module 4: Cultural Impact and Legacy
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Knowledge check
Q1. What was Marilyn Monroe's impact on the fashion industry in the 1950s?
- A. She introduced the mini skirt
- B. She popularized the little black dress
- C. She became a symbol of Hollywood glamour ✓
- D. She rejected all fashion trends
Why: Marilyn Monroe became a symbol of Hollywood glamour and influenced fashion through her iconic style and presence.
Q2. Which of the following films helped solidify Marilyn Monroe's status as a cultural icon?
- A. Psycho
- B. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes ✓
- C. Jaws
- D. The Godfather
Why: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes helped solidify Marilyn Monroe's status as a cultural icon due to her performance and style.
Q3. How did Marilyn Monroe influence the portrayal of women in media?
- A. She promoted traditional gender roles
- B. She challenged societal norms and redefined femininity ✓
- C. She avoided the spotlight entirely
- D. She only appeared in horror films
Why: Marilyn Monroe challenged societal norms and redefined femininity, influencing the portrayal of women in media.
Q4. What role did Marilyn Monroe play in the development of the American Dream?
- A. She represented the struggles of the working class
- B. She embodied the glamour and success of Hollywood ✓
- C. She criticized the American Dream publicly
- D. She had no impact on the American Dream
Why: Marilyn Monroe embodied the glamour and success of Hollywood, contributing to the image of the American Dream.
Q5. What is one of the main reasons Marilyn Monroe is still remembered today?
- A. Her political activism
- B. Her tragic death and lasting cultural influence ✓
- C. Her career in music
- D. Her role in world war II
Why: Marilyn Monroe is still remembered today mainly due to her tragic death and lasting cultural influence.
Module 5
Module 5: Behind the Camera: Marilyn in Film
Behind the Camera: Marilyn in Film
Knowledge check
Q1. Which of the following films marked Marilyn Monroe's breakthrough role in Hollywood?
- A. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
- B. Some Like It Hot ✓
- C. The Seven-Year Itch
- D. Niagara
Why: Some Like It Hot was the film that solidified Marilyn Monroe's status as a major Hollywood star and is considered her breakthrough role.
Q2. In which film did Marilyn Monroe play the role of Norma Jean, a troubled young woman struggling with her identity?
- A. The Misfits ✓
- B. Bus Stop
- C. How to Marry a Millionaire
- D. The Prince and the Showgirl
Why: In The Misfits, Marilyn Monroe played the role of Norma Jean, a character that reflected some aspects of her own personal struggles.
Q3. Which director is known for working closely with Marilyn Monroe on her most iconic films, including 'The Seven-Year Itch'?
- A. Billy Wilder ✓
- B. Elia Kazan
- C. John Huston
- D. Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Why: Billy Wilder directed 'The Seven-Year Itch,' one of Marilyn Monroe's most iconic films, and is known for his collaboration with her.
Q4. Which of Marilyn Monroe's films was the first to be shot in Technicolor and helped elevate her to stardom?
- A. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes ✓
- B. How to Marry a Millionaire
- C. The Seven-Year Itch
- D. Niagara
Why: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was the first film shot in Technicolor that Marilyn Monroe starred in, and it played a significant role in her rise to stardom.
Q5. In which of Marilyn Monroe's films did she play the role of a glamorous blonde who falls in love with a man who is already married?
- A. The Misfits
- B. Bus Stop
- C. Some Like It Hot ✓
- D. How to Marry a Millionaire
Why: In Some Like It Hot, Marilyn Monroe played the role of a glamorous blonde who falls in love with a man who is already married, a role that became one of her most famous performances.
Module 6
Module 6: The Tragedy of Her Death
The Tragedy of Her Death
Knowledge check
Q1. What was the official cause of Marilyn Monroe's death according to the coroner's report?
- A. Suicide by overdose
- B. Accidental overdose ✓
- C. Heart failure
- D. Murder
Why: Marilyn Monroe's death was officially ruled an accidental overdose, though there has been much speculation and debate over the years regarding the circumstances surrounding her death.
Q2. Which drug was primarily involved in Marilyn Monroe's death?
- A. Heroin
- B. Barbiturates ✓
- C. Cocaine
- D. Alcohol
Why: Marilyn Monroe's death was attributed to an overdose of barbiturates, a class of sedative drugs.
Q3. Who was the psychiatrist that Marilyn Monroe was in contact with at the time of her death?
- A. Dr. Ralph Greenson ✓
- B. Dr. Robert Maxwell
- C. Dr. John Smith
- D. Dr. James White
Why: Dr. Ralph Greenson was Marilyn Monroe's psychiatrist and was present at the time of her death, though he later claimed he was not there when she took the pills.
Q4. What was the name of the book that detailed the events surrounding Marilyn Monroe's death?
- A. The Marilyn Monroe Story
- B. The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe ✓
- C. Marilyn Monroe: The Final Days
- D. The Tragedy of Marilyn Monroe
Why: The book 'The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe' by Anthony Summers provides a detailed account of the events leading up to her death.
Q5. In which year did Marilyn Monroe die?
- A. 1962 ✓
- B. 1963
- C. 1964
- D. 1965
Why: Marilyn Monroe died on August 5, 1962, at the age of 36.
Module 7
Module 7: Marilyn Monroe in Popular Culture Today
Marilyn Monroe in Popular Culture Today
Knowledge check
Q1. What is Marilyn Monroe most commonly associated with in popular culture today?
- A. Political activism
- B. Iconic fashion and beauty ✓
- C. Feminist movements
- D. Modern film directing
Why: Marilyn Monroe is most commonly associated with iconic fashion and beauty in popular culture today.
Q2. Which of the following films is NOT considered a major contribution to Marilyn Monroe's legacy?
- A. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
- B. The Seven-Year Itch
- C. Breakfast at Tiffany's ✓
- D. Some Like It Hot
Why: Breakfast at Tiffany's is not considered a major contribution to Marilyn Monroe's legacy as she was not the lead actress in that film.
Q3. In what way has Marilyn Monroe been portrayed in modern media?
- A. As a serious political figure
- B. As a tragic and iconic figure ✓
- C. As a modern businesswoman
- D. As a scientist
Why: Marilyn Monroe has been portrayed in modern media as a tragic and iconic figure.
Q4. What role did Marilyn Monroe play in the 1955 film 'The Seven-Year Itch'?
- A. A scientist
- B. A housewife ✓
- C. A fashion model
- D. A movie star
Why: Marilyn Monroe played the role of a housewife in the 1955 film 'The Seven-Year Itch'.
Q5. Which of the following is a common theme in modern discussions about Marilyn Monroe?
- A. Her political career
- B. Her tragic life and death ✓
- C. Her business ventures
- D. Her travels around the world
Why: A common theme in modern discussions about Marilyn Monroe is her tragic life and death.