To the Pointe: Pointe Shoes and the Spectacle of Femininity

Introduction

The period from the early- to the mid-nineteenth century saw the rise of the ballerina, both figuratively and literally. The stage, which had previously been dominated by male dancers, became the almost exclusive domain of the feminine danseuse. As well, the advent of the pointe shoe allowed these women to raise themselves upon their very toes in a way that had been formerly unknown. These shifts were made possible due to the significant changes that had been affected in fashion, including footwear, after the conclusion of the French Revolution. Changes in dress were a response to larger shifts that were taking place in French and English society during this era. These changes, both in fashion and ideology, caused the ballet to take the form of feminine spectacle. The pointe shoe, in particular, played a special role in the fetishization of the female form, transforming the ballerina into an icon of ideal femininity while at the same time rendering her erotic and consumable.

Setting the Stage
     Introduction
   Materials
Dress Rehearsal
Opening Night
Curtain Call
Escapism
Backstage
Paradox en Pointe
Conclusion

Bibliography
Personal Information
Image Gallery