Personal Narrative Analysis
explanatory Essay
1124 words
It was time to audition for the most prestigious ballet company I would ever have the opportunity to be a part of. It was my final year of high school, so I figured if I haven’t done it by now, I never would. I went into this audition not expected much. I expected to be told that I was just not good enough or that I just don’t have the right look for the company. It was one of the most difficult auditions I had ever experienced, but I still did my best and would not give up on any combination I was given. I was number thirty-three out of fifty-nine auditioners. Only twelve were going to make it into the company. When the woman announced those who made it, I didn’t even pay attention, I just stared down at my callused feet and thought about …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Describes how they auditioned for the most prestigious ballet company they'd ever have the opportunity to be a part of.
- Describes how they walked through the sliding doors of their living room as their eyes started to fill up with tears. they ran up the steps before they burst into full-blown tears and slammed their door.
- Narrates how they walked into their yearly ballet exam and stood in front of two old women wearing cashmere sweaters and kitten heels. they had to recite every ballet term, but in french instead of english.
- Narrates how they spent hours at home practicing something that they weren't sure they would ever be good at.
- Describes how they were the third of four girls to enter the examination room and surprisingly, the women looked pretty nice.
- Narrates how the examiners looked them up and down and the one said, "number sixty-three, what is a cat-like-step?"
- Narrates how they ran into the house, slammed their door, and burst into tears. they never wanted to go back to dance again, but did.
- Narrates how they were shocked to hear this from the woman who tortured them for nine years of their life. they enrolled in three extra classes and retook the ballet class they failed the year before.
- Describes how they continued to work and push themselves for years until they finally became a part of the senior company. they didn't make the company because they were the best ballerina in the room or because i performed the combinations that were given to them perfectly.
“Honey, I’m just not sure that this is for you, you know they only care about the skinny girls,” my mom said to me in her “I feel bad for you” voice. I ran up the steps before I bursted into full-blown tears and slammed my door. How could she say that this is not for me? I was 12 years old, I could get better. Not everyone is born with perfect talent. I pulled my hair up into a tight ponytail, sat down on the floor, and put my feet out in front of me, stretching my ankles as hard as I could trying to get my toes to touch the floor like all the other girls’ …show more content…
I would sit in my room night after night studying for the exams. I had to be able to recite every ballet term, but in French instead of English. Everyday when I walked into class, my teacher would hold a mock-exam. I would raise my hand for every answer and I always got it right. It was the actual ballet that I wasn’t great at. Even still, I would come to class everyday with my secured ballet bun, black leotard, pink tights, and worn out ballet slippers. I had a positive attitude despite always being called out in class. “Kelly! Push your shoulders back,” or “Kelly, where is your turn out?” or “Kelly, maybe you should spend a little more time at home practicing.” Everyone always told me to practice more, as if I didn’t already practice. But, I did. I went home and I spent hours practicing something that I wasn’t even sure I would ever be good
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In this essay, the author
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In this essay, the author
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500 wordsRead More - Body Image and Eating Disorders Among Young Ballerinasanalytical essayBallet is a beautiful and romantic type of performance art. It originated in the Italian court systems in the 15th century (Jonas). Since its origination, ballet has undergone many changes and gained worldwide recognition. Filled with elaborate costumes, cheering audiences, lights, weightless movements and beauty; ballet is admired by many. On the magical stage ballerinas can become whoever they wan to be, and perform in a world of fantasy. For these reasons, children, especially little girls, all over the world dream of becoming ballerinas when they grow up. However, becoming a professional ballerina is an extremely difficult accomplishment, in which few will achieve (Kelso 1). The world of ballet may seem to be filled with glitz and glamor but, behind the curtain there is an entirely different story. There are extreme demands and pressures put on these young dancers to be very thin and nearly perfect. Some of which include body and weight demands, competition, and social pressures. These constant pressures can lead to a negative body-image and even debilitating eating disorders (Price and Pettijohn).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that ballet is a beautiful and romantic type of performance art. it originated in the italian court systems in 15th century.
- Explains that the body is the only tool in which a dancer has to create art and express themselves. the term body image can be defined as the way people perceive themselves in the mirror everyday.
- Explains that dance is a highly competitive, high-pressure and physically demanding profession. dance companies and schools require that their students participate in frequent weigh-ins.
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- Analyzes the effect of ballet dance attire on body and self-perceptions of female dancers.
1808 wordsRead More