Alistair Cooke: The Death of Marilyn Monroe, 1962

Alistair Cooke: The Death of Marilyn Monroe, 1962

Context and Background

  • Alistair Cooke was a British-American journalist and broadcaster. He was known for his BBC radio programme ‘Letter from America’, which ran for 58 years.
  • The Death of Marilyn Monroe is one of his ‘letters’ from this series. It was broadcast on 10th August 1962, five days after Monroe’s death.

Analysis of Subject Matter

  • The ‘letter’ focuses on the life and death of Marilyn Monroe, one of the most famous and influential American actresses of the 20th century.
  • Cooke’s choice of subject matter is significant; Monroe represented a certain type of idealised female beauty and glamour, but her life was also marked by personal problems and hardship.
  • He seeks to highlight the discrepancy between Monroe’s public image and her private reality.

Use of Language

  • Cooke’s writing is known for its elegant prose style and conversational tone.
  • He employs vivid sensory imagery and specific details to bring Monroe to life as a multi-dimensional figure.
  • Cooke uses direct address and personal anecdotes to establish a personal connection with his listeners.

Themes and Message

  • One of the key themes of the ‘letter’ is the downside of fame and the pressure it places on individuals.
  • Cooke also explores the theme of public fascination with celebrity life and death, and the media’s role in creating and sustaining this fascination.
  • Through his exploration of these themes, Cooke critiques the culture of celebrity worship.

Rhetoric and Delivery

  • Cooke’s polished speaking voice and controlled pacing engage listeners and enhance the impact of his message.
  • He uses rhetorical devices such as metaphor and contrast to highlight his key points.
  • Cooke’s concluding remarks leave listeners with a deep sense of sympathy for Monroe, and provoke reflexion on the wider issues raised.

Reception and Impact

  • The ‘letter’ was widely heard and discussed, and contributed to the discourse surrounding Monroe’s death and legacy.
  • Cooke’s humanising portrayal of Monroe challenged public perceptions and prompted a reconsideration of the cost of fame.
  • His letter also helped to establish his reputation as a perceptive and thoughtful commentator on American culture.