Innocence in Ballet (Blog post # 11)

For my essay, I chose to write about innocence not only in the film, but in the world of ballet in general. I found really interesting information concerning the ballerinas and their reason why their innocence is so intact well into their 20’s and sometimes even early 30s. I found it extremely disturbing how innocent and sheltered Nina was throughout the film, and I felt that her mother was the main force behind this. Ballet was everything to Nina and her mother and in order for this to remain solid, Nina did not have the ability or the independence to grow up and really become a strong woman.

The world of ballet is extremely competitive and takes an immense amount of mental and physical strength. But to outsiders, ballet has many stereotypes. It is common for people to associate ballet with young girls. The pink tutus, pink tights, pink ballet slippers, and pink leotards all create this world of girly innocence. When girls are young, it’s common for their mothers’ to get them involved in ballet classes. The idea that ballet is childlike doesn’t seem to change that much when the ballerinas take it seriously and want to pursue it as a career. Many ballerinas are very small, skinny, flat chested, and look like kids. In many ballets, sexuality is present, but it’s not overdone, uncomfortable, or disturbing. In ballets, sexuality is done with class and subtly—adding to the beauty and sophistication. In the film Black Swan (2010), Nina Sayers portrays ballerina innocence and childlike ways perfectly. She is treated like a young girl, looks like one, dresses like one, and talks like one.