Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Sharon Olds' poem "The Death of Marilyn Monroe" poignantly captures the aftermath of the iconic actress's death, focusing not on her life or stardom, but on the profound impact her death had on the ambulance men who handled her body. Through stark, vivid imagery and a contemplative tone, Olds explores themes of mortality, the fragility of beauty, and the humanizing effect of encountering death.

The poem opens with a clinical description of the ambulance men's actions as they attend to Marilyn Monroe's body. The imagery is unembellished and direct, emphasizing the cold, impersonal nature of the task. Monroe's body is described as "heavy as iron," a stark contrast to her vivacious public persona, now reduced to a lifeless form. The men "tried to close the mouth, closed the eyes, tied the arms to the side," performing their duty with a professional detachment. Yet, the small, almost tender act of moving "a caught strand of hair, as if it mattered," suggests an undercurrent of respect or reverence, acknowledging her identity even in death.

The mention of Monroe's "breasts, flattened by gravity, under the sheet" humanizes her in a way that strips away the glamor and allure that defined her in life. This image emphasizes the inevitability of decay and the stark reality of death, reducing a cultural icon to a mere physical body subject to the laws of nature. The phrase "as if it were she" reflects the disconnect between the person Monroe was and the body they now carry. It underscores the transformation from a living, breathing individual to an object of procedure and transport.

The poem then shifts focus to the emotional and psychological impact Monroe's death had on the ambulance men. Their usual routine of going out for drinks becomes tainted, as they "could not meet each other's eyes." This small detail conveys a deep, unspoken disturbance, a shared experience that has altered them irrevocably. The mention of their lives taking "a turn" suggests that this encounter with death was a pivotal moment, shattering the normalcy of their existence.

Each man is affected differently: one experiences nightmares, strange pains, and a sense of impotence and depression, while another finds dissatisfaction in his work and alienation from his family. The phrase "Even death seemed different to him—a place where she would be waiting" conveys a haunting sense of Monroe's continued presence, as if her death has imbued the concept of mortality with a personal, palpable reality. This suggests that her death, and perhaps the circumstances surrounding it, resonate deeply with the men, altering their perception of life and death.

The final stanza presents a haunting image of one of the men standing in a doorway at night, listening to "a woman breathing, just an ordinary woman breathing." This ordinary scene is laden with significance; it contrasts sharply with the earlier, more sensational depiction of Monroe's death. The act of listening to an ordinary woman's breathing becomes a profound reminder of life's fragility and the unique presence of each individual. It suggests a newfound appreciation for the mundane, for the simple, irreplaceable act of being alive.

"The Death of Marilyn Monroe" delves into the intersection of celebrity, mortality, and the human experience. Olds' portrayal of the ambulance men, their professional duty clashing with the emotional weight of the moment, captures the dissonance between public perception and private reality. Monroe's death, while a public spectacle, is also a deeply personal and transformative event for those who encountered her in her final moments. The poem reflects on how death strips away the layers of fame and mystique, leaving behind a universal truth: the finality of life and the inevitable impact it has on those left behind. Through this lens, Olds invites the reader to contemplate the nature of mortality and the quiet, profound changes that occur in the wake of death.

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