Saints and Sinners; Parsons and Ballet Girls
In the Reynold's Newspaper, an article from January 23, 1859, discusses the story of Jane Newell, a ballet dancer who "tainted" the profession by also being a prostitute. The article does not go into the detail of her work as either a ballet dancer or a prostitute, but rather attacks her character since she is immoral and a sinner for participating in a job like prostitution. According to the article, typically, ballet dancers are refined, moral, and have unmatched manners and education. They are typically seen as higher society, and their "sisterhood," despite being tempted by the theater and attention, are usually well-behaved for society's standards. The article urges reader's to not see Newell as an example for all ballet dancers, referring to her as "a black sheep."
I think the writer of this article is very conflicted, because on one hand, ballet dancers are supposed to be respectable and appreciated in society, something that can be difficult to achieve for women at this time. On the other hand, however, this dancer, Jane Newell, is also a prostitute, a job typically seen with lower-class women and condemned by society for women, not men, to partake in. Newell is literally a walking contradiction for society because she is both acting as respectable and immoral, high class and low class. The writer makes clear that this does not apply to all ballet dancers, as to not offend or disrespect this higher position.
It is interesting because despite this women being of a higher class, with a noteworthy job, she is still immediately cast out of society when she is found to be a prostitute. This shows the values of society, and how women were treated based on their class status and profession. It also shows how easy it is for a woman to fall from the good grace of society if she even remotely acknowledges her sexuality or is found to ever engage in any sexual activity not within a marriage. It is also interesting to see that this story in general was newsworthy, because it shows how sensational sexuality is at this time, and the desire to punish any sexually empowered women.
I think the writer of this article is very conflicted, because on one hand, ballet dancers are supposed to be respectable and appreciated in society, something that can be difficult to achieve for women at this time. On the other hand, however, this dancer, Jane Newell, is also a prostitute, a job typically seen with lower-class women and condemned by society for women, not men, to partake in. Newell is literally a walking contradiction for society because she is both acting as respectable and immoral, high class and low class. The writer makes clear that this does not apply to all ballet dancers, as to not offend or disrespect this higher position.
It is interesting because despite this women being of a higher class, with a noteworthy job, she is still immediately cast out of society when she is found to be a prostitute. This shows the values of society, and how women were treated based on their class status and profession. It also shows how easy it is for a woman to fall from the good grace of society if she even remotely acknowledges her sexuality or is found to ever engage in any sexual activity not within a marriage. It is also interesting to see that this story in general was newsworthy, because it shows how sensational sexuality is at this time, and the desire to punish any sexually empowered women.
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