"I think that marriage is an amazing institution and should be preserved, and you can have great marriages, and you must because sharing your life with someone is like the greatest thing. And I loved being able to set a good example for that on television"
About this Quote
Elfman is doing a very Hollywood kind of activism here: selling an ideal while reassuring everyone she’s not trying to be radical about it. The repetition of “and” turns the line into a breathless testimonial, less policy argument than upbeat confession. It’s emotional branding. Marriage isn’t described as a contract or a set of rights; it’s framed as vibe and aspiration - “amazing,” “the greatest thing” - the language of a lifestyle endorsement that’s meant to feel apolitical even as it stakes a position.
The intent is twofold. First, she affirms marriage as something worth “preserving,” a word that carries cultural anxiety inside it: the fear that norms are dissolving, that commitment needs defending. Second, she positions herself as a responsible public figure who didn’t just act out romance but modeled it. That “must” is telling: she slides from personal preference into moral necessity, treating partnered life as the obvious pinnacle of adulthood.
The subtext is about legitimacy in the age of celebrity. Actors are often accused of living in performative relationships; Elfman flips that critique by claiming television can teach, not just distract. “Set a good example” is also a gentle assertion of authority: her private life becomes public proof of character, a credential she can cash in interviews and brand partnerships alike.
Context matters: in a media culture that monetizes intimacy, marriage becomes both real commitment and narrative asset. Elfman isn’t only praising a relationship; she’s defending a framework that makes certain stories - and certain stars - feel safe, stable, and worth inviting into your living room.
The intent is twofold. First, she affirms marriage as something worth “preserving,” a word that carries cultural anxiety inside it: the fear that norms are dissolving, that commitment needs defending. Second, she positions herself as a responsible public figure who didn’t just act out romance but modeled it. That “must” is telling: she slides from personal preference into moral necessity, treating partnered life as the obvious pinnacle of adulthood.
The subtext is about legitimacy in the age of celebrity. Actors are often accused of living in performative relationships; Elfman flips that critique by claiming television can teach, not just distract. “Set a good example” is also a gentle assertion of authority: her private life becomes public proof of character, a credential she can cash in interviews and brand partnerships alike.
Context matters: in a media culture that monetizes intimacy, marriage becomes both real commitment and narrative asset. Elfman isn’t only praising a relationship; she’s defending a framework that makes certain stories - and certain stars - feel safe, stable, and worth inviting into your living room.
Quote Details
| Topic | Marriage |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
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