Feminism | Posted by Nellie B on 08/10/2009
A Feminist Goes to the Ballet
Ballet, as fine arts and sources of entertainment go, is not exactly what one might call a feminist pastime. Though it is ridiculous trying to mandate whether something is “feminist” or not, ballet definitely deserves to be critiqued through a feminist lens.
Don’t get me wrong– I love ballet. I’ve been watching performances for years. I danced starting at age four, until I quit when I decided that I didn’t want to seriously jeopardize my feet by going en pointe during my teens. So, a recent performance of several short dances by a local theatre troupe reminded me of the complexities of ballet.
The pros: while ballet is often ridiculed for being girly, feminine or, of course, “sissy,” the strength and discipline involved in training requires Herculean will. One …
