In addition to showing the unequal power dynamics of the ballerinas in The White Ballet through a feminist lens, class can also enter into these readings as well. Marx writes about the bourgeoisie and the proletariat in his socialist writings, detailing two distinct social classes that comprise the division of labor within a capitalistic society (Marx 7). The bourgeoisie are the conspicuous consumer class, the elite who contribute little to society and simply profit off the fruits of the labor of the working class (the proletariat). According to Marx, this is a fundamental problem with capitalism and the division of labor, and can only be alleviated through violent social revolution and the institution of a communist system of government (Marx 8).
While The White Ballet does not carry quite as potent a Marxist message as it does its feminist critique, there are elements that contribute to the power differential that comes from the class stratification to which he refers. Shinn’s elegant portrayal of the uniformity and graceful movement of the ballerinas, their arms raised to indicate a sweeping, elegant dance, nonetheless shows a group of people putting on a performance for an ostensibly decadent, powerful bourgeoisie. The understated, simple white tutus stand in stark contrast to the
…show more content…
Just as the urbane ballet-goers hope to see the dancers, they hope to also be seen by the rest of the audience, with their elaborate outfits and devotion to being dressed up. Shinn’s equal-opportunity exploration of both groups makes the divide between performer and audience that much