--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He was trained as a dancer, and he had…" description: "\"He was trained as a dancer, and he had both a dancer's body and a dancer's capacity. He incarnated for me the most appealing and tragic aspects of Amer..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f62/lincoln-kirstein-34134_america-and-american_he-was-trained-as-a-dancer-and-he-had-bo_2678706.png" --- # He was trained as a dancer, and he had both a dancer's… ![“He was trained as a dancer, and he had both a dancer's body and a dancer's capacity. He incarnated for me the most appealing and tragic aspects of American lower-class life.” quote by Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f62/lincoln-kirstein-34134_america-and-american_he-was-trained-as-a-dancer-and-he-had-bo_2678706.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f62/lincoln-kirstein-34134_america-and-american_he-was-trained-as-a-dancer-and-he-had-bo_2678706.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f62/lincoln-kirstein-34134_america-and-american_he-was-trained-as-a-dancer-and-he-had-bo_2678706.png) > “He was trained as a dancer, and he had both a dancer's body and a dancer's capacity. He incarnated for me the most appealing and tragic aspects of American lower-class life.” [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A dancer's physical skill and expressive capacity embody both allure and tragedy of lower‑class American life. **In simple terms:** Dancers reflect beauty and hardship. Key Takeaway Recognize art’s power to portray social realities. Themes art class culture Mood reflective poignant Type analytical inspirational When to use this quote - theatre performance - community outreach - cultural studies - sociology research Key Concepts embodiment expression social commentary Questions to Reflect On - How does performance reveal societal issues? - Can art inspire change? A Different Perspective Art may romanticize hardship. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America and americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america-and-americans/) [Dance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dance/) [Dancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancer/) [Dancing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dancing/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) ## Related quotes > [A dancer is a dancer. If I can do jazz, then I can also do modern jazz, break and Hindi dance also. Give me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arshad-warsi/a-dancer-is-a-dancer-if-i-can-do-jazz-then-i-can-also-do-modern-jazz/) [Arshad Warsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arshad-warsi/) > [I've always been a dancer, and I will always be a dancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-basil/i-ve-always-been-a-dancer-and-i-will-always-be-a-dancer/) [Toni Basil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-basil/) > [I focus on having a feminine body, a dancer's body. I do resistance and dance and cardio. I like hiking, swimming, being active. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-greene/i-focus-on-having-a-feminine-body-a-dancer-s-body-i-do-resistance-and/) [Ashley Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-greene/) > [When you are a dancer your body speaks, my body can express itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakti-mohan/when-you-are-a-dancer-your-body-speaks-my-body-can-express-itself/) [Shakti Mohan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakti-mohan/) > [The dancer's body is simply the luminous manifestation of her soul...This is the truly creative dancer, natural but not imitative, speaking in movement out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isadora-duncan/the-dancer-s-body-is-simply-the-luminous-manifestation-of-her-soul/) [Isadora Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadora-duncan/) > [I trained as a dancer and did all that kind of stuff. And as a dancer, pressure's a good thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-flack/i-trained-as-a-dancer-and-did-all-that-kind-of-stuff-and-as-a-dancer/) [Caroline Flack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-flack/) > [I'm not a trained singer, I'm not a trained dancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-pinette/i-m-not-a-trained-singer-i-m-not-a-trained-dancer/) [John Pinette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-pinette/) > [I like to say, 'Once a dancer, always a dancer.' In everything - the way you walk, the way you move, the way you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-dewan/i-like-to-say-once-a-dancer-always-a-dancer-in-everything-the-way-you/) [Jenna Dewan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-dewan/) > [Anybody cannot be a dancer. A dancer must have a certain posture, gestures, height, behaviour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hema-malini/anybody-cannot-be-a-dancer-a-dancer-must-have-a-certain-posture/) [Hema Malini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hema-malini/) > [I'm your private dancer, a dancer for money, I'll do what you want me to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-turner/i-m-your-private-dancer-a-dancer-for-money-i-ll-do-what-you-want-me/) [Tina Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-turner/) > [Once a dancer, always a dancer. Dance is in everything you do and always will be a part of who you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-bognar/once-a-dancer-always-a-dancer-dance-is-in-everything-you-do-and/) [Jenna Bognar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-bognar/) > [I did not want to be a tree, a flower or a wave. In a dancer's body, we as audience must see ourselves, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-graham/i-did-not-want-to-be-a-tree-a-flower-or-a-wave-in-a-dancer-s-body-we/) [Martha Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-graham/) > [The dancer's body is simply the luminous manifestation of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isadora-duncan/the-dancer-s-body-is-simply-the-luminous-manifestation-of-the-soul/) [Isadora Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isadora-duncan/) > [My problem is: as a singer and a dancer, if I get it in my body one way, it is harder for me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sharon-lawrence/my-problem-is-as-a-singer-and-a-dancer-if-i-get-it-in-my-body-one-way/) [Sharon Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sharon-lawrence/) > [I heard a lot in school, 'You've got a really great talent, but there's no way you're going to be a dancer with that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-anderson/i-heard-a-lot-in-school-you-ve-got-a-really-great-talent-but-there-s/) [Tracy Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-anderson/) ## More by Lincoln Kirstein > [I've always had the idea that we were conducting a military operation. It always seemed to me to be in a state of emergency.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/i-ve-always-had-the-idea-that-we-were-conducting-a-military-operation/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) > [She was chronologically in luck. She corresponded to necessity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/she-was-chronologically-in-luck-she-corresponded-to-necessity/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) > [The candid camera is the greatest liar in the photographic family… It is anarchic, naïve, and superficial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/the-candid-camera-is-the-greatest-liar-in-the-photographic-family-it/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) > [“If there is a hero, it is choreography.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/if-there-is-a-hero-it-is-choreography/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) > [While photography to Cartier-Bresson is constantly an intuitive process, it is never purely instinctive. It is founded on continuous intellection, on ceaseless consideration during…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/while-photography-to-cartier-bresson-is-constantly-an-intuitive/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) > [Transplanting the ballet to the United States is like trying to raise a palm tree in Dakota.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/transplanting-the-ballet-to-the-united-states-is-like-trying-to-raise/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) > [Harvard was a kind of luxurious afternoon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/harvard-was-a-kind-of-luxurious-afternoon/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) > [“I mean, if you have any idea of any kind of complexity or immensity or destiny, of general order, you're put in a position…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/i-mean-if-you-have-any-idea-of-any-kind-of-complexity-or-immensity-or/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) > [Ballet dancers are a self-chosen elite. To survive and surmount years of disciplinary preparation and seasons of even more arduous performance requires rigid determination…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/ballet-dancers-are-a-self-chosen-elite-to-survive-and-surmount-years/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) > [The domain of the ballet dancer is not earth but air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/the-domain-of-the-ballet-dancer-is-not-earth-but-air/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) > [Dance design is not simply one element; it is that without which ballet cannot exist. As aria is to opera, words to poetry, color…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/dance-design-is-not-simply-one-element-it-is-that-without-which/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) > [In liberal democracy and anxious anarchy, the traditional classic dance, compact of aristocratic authority and absolute freedom in a necessity of order, has never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/in-liberal-democracy-and-anxious-anarchy-the-traditional-classic/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) > [If one had to define one essential gift with which a dancer needs to be endowed, there might be a rush of answers. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lincoln-kirstein/if-one-had-to-define-one-essential-gift-with-which-a-dancer-needs-to/) [Lincoln Kirstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) [Explore all 14 Lincoln Kirstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lincoln-kirstein/) ## More America and americans quotes > [I doubt that we Americans can come to terms with our money neuroses without understanding the more florid pathology of the very rich for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-slater/i-doubt-that-we-americans-can-come-to-terms-with-our-money-neuroses/) [Philip Slater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-slater/) > [My grandparents on my fathers side come to America from Germany, so that made them, German-American. My grandparents on my mothers side came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-kreger/my-grandparents-on-my-fathers-side-come-to-america-from-germany-so/) [David Kreger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-kreger/) > [Wake up and smell the facism; The biggests terrorists are not on the streets they are in Government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wandini/wake-up-and-smell-the-facism-the-biggests-terrorists-are-not-on-the/) [Wandini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wandini/) > [There is truth in the reply of a great lawyer when asked how the lawyers who formed the United States Constitution had such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stevens/there-is-truth-in-the-reply-of-a-great-lawyer-when-asked-how-the/) [Wallace Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stevens/) > [I moved to New York City for my health. I'm paranoid and it was the only place where my fears were justified.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-weiss/i-moved-to-new-york-city-for-my-health-i-m-paranoid-and-it-was-the/) Anita Weiss > [The United States has been declared under martial law...All constitutional rights have been suspended. Anyone interfering with the collection of urine samples will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jello-biafra/the-united-states-has-been-declared-under-martial-law-all/) [Jello Biafra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jello-biafra/) > [I hope we don't lose in America this demand that those of us who want this office must be prepared not to handle the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-h-pater/i-hope-we-don-t-lose-in-america-this-demand-that-those-of-us-who-want/) Walter H Pater > [When any one State in the American Union refuses obedience to the Confederation by which they have bound themselves, the rest have a natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-any-one-state-in-the-american-union-refuses-obedience-to-the/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Unless Americans come to realize that they are not stronger in the world because they have the bomb but weaker because of their vulnerability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/unless-americans-come-to-realize-that-they-are-not-stronger-in-the/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The Almighty Dollar, that great object of universal devotion throughout our land.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/washington-irving/the-almighty-dollar-that-great-object-of-universal-devotion/) [Washington Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/washington-irving/) > [When the war closed we were challenged with a peace-time choice between the American system of rugged individualism and a European philosophy of diametrically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/when-the-war-closed-we-were-challenged-with-a-peace-time-choice/) [Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/) > [The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has. Even when you make a tax form out on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/the-income-tax-has-made-more-liars-out-of-the-american-people-than/) [Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/) > [People who practice freedom of expression are terrorizing our grammatical way of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benson-bruno/people-who-practice-freedom-of-expression-are-terrorizing-our/) [Benson Bruno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benson-bruno/) > [I hate this "crime doesn't pay" stuff. Crime in the United States is perhaps one of the biggest businesses in the world today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kirk/i-hate-this-crime-doesn-t-pay-stuff-crime-in-the-united-states-is/) Peter Kirk > [The American idea is a free church in a free state, and a free and unsectarian public school in every ward and every village…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cabot-lodge/the-american-idea-is-a-free-church-in-a-free-state-and-a-free-and/) [Henry Cabot Lodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cabot-lodge/) [Browse all 60 America and americans quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america-and-americans/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "He was trained as a dancer, and he had both a dancer's body and a dancer's capacity. 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