Reflection and Projection: The Symbolism of Mirrors

This article was written by a reader named Nirmala. She wrote also this blog's previous article titled Johnny gestures the "dog call" to Baby three times.

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Reflection and Projection: 

The Symbolism of Mirrors

In the movie Dirty Dancing, mirrors (and shoes) symbolize how ...

* characters perceive themselves

or

* the movie audience perceives characters

Below are some instances in the movie.

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Lisa is shallow, idealistic and egotistical

On the way to the Kellerman Mountain House, Lisa, holding her hand-held mirror, admires herself, and looks forward to her family's getaway. We get the impression that she cares a lot about her appearance and image.

Lisa admiring herself in a hand-held mirror

The mirror projects Lisa’s insecurities about her looks. Lisa seems to be egotistical and idealistic.

In a deleted scene, Lisa primps some more in a mirror in her hotel room before she goes with her family to eat dinner in the restaurant.

Lisa primping in a mirror in a deleted scene

Later in the movie, when it rains non-stop, Lisa is seen once again complaining about the rain as she is primping in front of the mirror. Perhaps, the conversation with her mother is a subconscious response of idealising her parents and their almost perfect relationship.

Lisa primping in front of a mirror in the family's hotel room

Lisa Houseman
God, I'm so sick of this rain. Remind me never to take my honeymoon at Niagara Falls.

Marjorie Houseman
So, you go to Acapulco. It'll be fun.

Lisa Houseman
Where is my bright iridescent lipstick? I know I put it in this drawer.

Lisa is already thinking about marrying Robbie Gould at this stage and fantasizes about coming back to the Kellerman Mountain House as she later confides in Baby:

Lisa Houseman
I've decided to go all the way with Robbie.

Baby Houseman
No, Lisa, not with someone like him.

Lisa Houseman
Do you think if we came back for a ten-year anniversary, it would be free?

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Baby feels embarrassed as her dance lessons begin

Johnny seems frustrated with Baby’s lack of concentration as he starts to teach her. Presented through a mirror (0:02 to 0:17 in the following video) ....

.... with beautifully decorated white-layered paper-cut flowers and peacock feathers around it, Baby is seen practising her steps with Johnny as he corrects her posture.

As the song "Wipeout" is being played, the scene shifts to an outdoor setting where Baby starts to methodically practise her steps. From a reflection of her embarrassment of her beginning stages, Baby projects a self-confident image of herself as she makes  dramatically improves.

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Baby is becoming confident and sophisticated

Like mirrors, shoes too reflect Lisa’s shallow, materialistic narcissistic self-indulgence. When her family arrives at the hotel, she gets into a fit when she looks at a worker carrying lots of shoeboxes from one of the guests. Immediately, Lisa complains to her mother that she hasn’t brought her coral shoes that matches her outfit. Lisa has brought ten pairs and is still not satisfied!

For Baby, however shoes reflect her transition from an innocent girl in sneakers into a confident and sophisticated young woman dancing in stiletto heels. Watch the following video clip from 1:30 to 2:17.

Baby even ‘steals’ Lisa’s ‘bright iridescent lipstick’, maybe with the hope of being seen as more ‘grown-up’ by Johnny. (Johnny later tells her that Frances is a’ grown-up’ name when he asks her what her real name is.)

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Johnny feels attracted to Baby and desires her

After the performance at the Sheldrake Hotel, Baby changes back into her regular outfit in the backseat of Johnny’s car. As she takes off her top, Johnny steals a glance or two at her though the mirror, reflecting his desire. He seems to be attracted to her.

When she comes in front to sit next to him, there is an awkward moment of silence and possibly some sexual tension between the two.

As they reach the staff quarters, Johnny, like a perfect gentleman opens the car door for Baby and holds both her hands just before Billy comes announcing the bad news about Penny. We wonder what would have happened then if Billy had not come rushing…

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Johnny recognizes his own disappointment

In the lyrics of the song "She's Like the Wind", a mirror reflects Johnny’s disappointment with himself and society. Baby’s father has chided him and never will accept him. Also, Johnny has been asked to leave by the hotel's management.

I look in the mirror and all I see
Is a young old man with only a dream
Am I just fooling myself
That she'll stop the pain
Living without her
I'd go insane

Feel her breath on my face
Her body close to me
Can't look in her eyes
She's out of my league
Just a fool to believe
I have anything she needs
She's like the wind

After figuratively seeing himself in a mirror, Johnny feels disappointed and humiliated.

Is Baby just an illusion to Johnny?

Is Johnny inferior due to his socio-economic status?

With a heavy heart, Johnny decides to leave Kellerman's and Baby. He tells her that "I'm out. If I leave quietly, I'll get my summer bonus."

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I hope Nirmala will continue to write essays about the movie.

Anyone can submit essays or ideas to me at MikeSylwester@gmail.com