The Boulanger

“...the Boulanger.” (Page 15)

The Boulanger, or “La Boulangère” as it is known in French, was a common dance performed at social gatherings during the nineteenth century. It was tradition for this dance to come at the end of a ball. The dance consisted of gentlemen and their partners gathered in a circle. Couples would dance concentrically in one direction then return to their original places. Following this motion, the gentlemen would spin their partner then move on to their neighbors. When the gentlemen made their way around the circle, the entire dance would repeat. Austen includes this dance simply because of its cultural context. Dancing was one of the most common forms of entertainment during this time period, and it was the socially accepted thing to do. As Austen demonstrates, dancing provided the opportunity for many to interact as well as to show a person’s character; Bingley is perceived as amiable because of his participation where as Mr. Darcy is looked down upon due to his lack of interest.

"La Boulangere Dance - Streetswings Dance History Archives - Main Page." Sonny Watson's West Coast Swing Dance - Streetswings Homepage. Web. 08 Mar. 2010. http://www.streetswing.com/histmain/z3laboulngr.htm.

19th Century Dance. Digital image. Web. 11 Mar. 2010. http://www.victoriana.com/Etiquette/images/dancecouple5.jpg.