Exploitation In Margaret Atwood's Helen Of Troy Does Counter Dancing

Exploitation has both negative and positive connotations that vary from case to case. Exploitation is a fluid type of manipulation that is beneficial for one of the parties involved, whether used for malicious reasons or not. The history of exploitation and the control and mistrust that accompany it are stained with bad blood. The Tuskegee syphilis trials pertain to the broader negative side of exploitation because African Americans are taken advantage of and are seen as a means to an end. However, when taking a deeper look at power and control, self-exploitation occurs in anyone with a job. People are exploited for their talents, whether or not they admit to it. Otherwise, society would have no working class to sustain our economy. Therefore,
The phrase ‘counter dancing’ conjures images of men exploiting women for their bodies, and portrays women as individuals forced into their line of work from low self-respect. The main character in the poem defies the negative stigma and instead turns the exploitation of her body into power and control over the crowd by dehumanizing them. As said by Jaqueline Bush, “The men view her as something to be consumed, whereas she sees them as nothing more than salivating mutts.” (“Objecting to Objectification”) From the beginning of the poem her priorities are clear; she knows that people in the crowd are exploiting her for their own desires, so instead of succumbing to the sins of others, she chooses to capitalize the audience’s wishes and flaunt her sexual persona. Jaqueline Bush said, “She claims that she understands these natural disasters, as well as the urge to crush ants (the mortal equivalent of a god’s power to destroy), because these phenomena are an assertion of power through destruction.” (“Objecting to Objectification”) Atwood demonstrates that the main characters are continually building disgust for the men’s exploitation of her body, and how she must pretend that she doesn’t know what they think of her. “Speaking of which, it’s the smiling tires me out the most. This, and the pretence that I can’t hear them. And I can’t, because after all I’m a foreigner to them.” (Atwood, Stanza 2) The overall message that outlives the words in the poem is that you are in control at all times, if you manipulate the situation you will always come out on top, if you can live with the consequences of your decision. The main character in the poem chooses to be an exotic dancer over having a regular day job because she knows that she can control the situation so that she stands above the men in the audience; in doing so, she has to deal with the constant