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I. Introduction
During a time when no women dared to be different, Katharine Hepburn proved that it was possible. Hepburn was a very beautiful, talented actress, who was best known for her on-screen and off-screen independence (“Ware” 3).
She won the hearts of so many people with her sparkling personality that shined a message of independence on everyone that knew her, or of her. She won many different awards for doing just that. Her legendary movies and her extraordinary personality will never be forgotten. Katharine Hepburn had a beautiful, but sharp looking image, an independent personality, and extreme talent that out-shinned every other actor around her. With that being said she is more than eligible to be recommended into the Rebel Hall of Fame.
II. Biographical Information
The early 1900’s were so different up until May 12, 1907. This is the day the world was forever changed, and a new legacy was born. That legacy was Katharine Hepburn. She was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and was the second of 6 children. Her parents, Thomas Norval Hepburn and her mother Katharine Hepburn were both strong advocates of birth control (“Ware” 5).
Her family was very wealthy and her household prized athleticism, individuality, and strong opinions. Growing up in a household like this just made Hepburn more independent as she grew older and got more involved in acting. Hepburn was very close to her older brother Tom, but on a trip to New York in 1921, 16-year-old Tom was found dead in the house of a family friend (Gwinn 4).
The Essay on Psychology of Personality
Psychology of personality is a branch of psychology that focuses on the study of personality and the individual differences. The main areas of focus are usually looking at individual’s psychological processes, the individual differences and studying how human behavior is similar. Personality is usually defined as well organized and dynamic set of characteristics possessed by a person that ...
This took a big toll on Hepburn and she became depressed, which caused her to have a lot of trouble in school; she was home schooled after that. This helped her deal with her brother’s sudden and un-expected death. She later went on to Oxford School located in West Hartford, CT. Hepburn was suspended for breaking curfew and smoking; which at that time was particularly not encouraged for women (“Corliss” 2).
This just added on to her rebellious personality. She received a degree in history and philosophy in 1928, and in the same year she made her debut on Broadway after landing a big part in Night Hostess. Katharine would not have been as good as a person and an actress if she was not so well educated and well born, and with good, loving parents. Her passing on June 29, 2003, was a sad time. Her many fans, and people who helped get her to the point she was at will never forget her.
III. Influences, Mentors, and Opponents
Katharine Hepburn became one of the world’s most adored actresses with the guidance of two special people in her life, her parents, Thomas and Katharine Hepburn. They encouraged her to “Speak her mind, develop it fully, and exercise her body to its full potential” (Peterson 5).
Katharine Hepburn would not have had such a positive impact on people if she did not grow up with parents who were so wise. Her father even gave her money to help pursue her acting career. Without this help Hepburn would not have been able to touch people’s hearts with her message of independence and equality. As much as Hepburn was getting help from family, critics were also ripping her apart, or so they thought. Critics called her “Box office poison,” and tried to bring her down with unkind comments about her films. Women thought Katharine was unladylike because she
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wore pants when hardly any other women did. As much as they wanted their hateful words to bring Hepburn down, they could not stop her bubbly free-spirited personality. She disregarded the gossip, as long as she was doing what she liked, she was happy; critics soon learned that. Her good attitude and happy personality helped her become the successful actress she was. She made numerous films and received recognition for her acting.
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It seems strange to realize that in the 1990 s - with Jurassic Park, the Star Wars trilogy, Terminator 2, and E. T. : The Extra-Terrestrial topping any list of the most popular and successful movies ever made, and a hit like Independence Day in 1996 - that science fiction was the bastard stepchild of the movie business for most of the twentieth century. Westerns might not have interested all ...
IV. Goals, Accomplishments, and Legacy
As the winner of four Oscars, and an actress who has been in over one hundred movies, Katharine Hepburn has done it all. She has made her mark on the world, not only with the amazing movies she starred in, but the legacy she left behind. Hepburn made every single movie she was in pop out of the screen with life, way before 3D was invented. One of her most famous roles was in Morning Glory (1933).
She won her first of four Oscars for Best Actress in this movie. Hepburn has also been in movies and plays like The Warrior’s Husband, Bill of Divorcement, Little Women, Spitfire, and so many others. Hepburn’s motto was “Do not live life wishing and wanting, actually get out there and do something about it” (“Corliss” 2).
She showed everyone that she not only accomplished what was in this motto, but she lived by it. Her athletic build and propensity for wearing pants had an undeniable impact on 20th century notices and beauty (Peterson 3).
Hepburn flouted the rules of Hollywood. She was determined to have them her own way. She even says “I came along at a point in the movie industry where nothing
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like me had ever existed” (Gwinn 8).
Hepburn projected an image of confidence, and uncompromising individuality (Gwinn 7).
She showed that women could be autonomous and live on their own terms. She taught this message with every movement she made. The judgmental words people spoke about Hepburn only made her more confident. Her stature as a legend only increased as she got older. Not because she became better at her job, but because she kept wowing people with the amazing things she did, that no one else would ever dare to do.
V. Conclusion
Katharine Hepburn was more than an actress or a Hollywood star. She left footsteps on every person’s heart. It did not matter if someone knew her personally, or watched her perform in a play; Hepburn’s message was always there. She spoke of equality and independence, without saying anything. She did not need to. Just by her actions and kindness, people could tell what kind of person Katharine Hepburn was. She taught women they could be single and free, and still be happy. She also taught that women can live on their own terms, and that there is never a need to follow what society says is right, because society may sometimes be wrong. Hepburn taught all of this by the way she lived, by wearing pants when they were not popular for women, and by having a happy, carefree personality, even when she was single. Hepburn will always be remembered as a rebel, and for her beauty no matter what she was wearing. Katharine
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The Thirteenth Warrior Essay The middle east and western Europe have always been different. This is true now and was true back in the 10 th century as this movie shows. One thing this movie shows that is not seen very often is what the two cultures are like when they met together peacefully. This movie displays the vivid differences of the nomadic Vikings and the intellectual Muslims. First there ...
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Hepburn should be recommended into the Rebel Hall of Fame for her unconventional way of living, whether it was proudly wearing pants no matter where she was going, or being her happy, bubbly self no matter who she was around. Katharine Hepburn’s beautiful legacy will go on forever.
