Dirty Dancing is a film that is beloved by many for the steamy dance numbers and the unforgettable dance at the end of the film. But within the structure of the story we find a great deal of themes that relate to the reality of life, from social-class, repression to expression, manipulation and taking advantage of the less fortunate (financially), to morality and acceptance. Baby, is...well you guessed it, a child when she arrives in the Catskills with her family for what looks to be another summer of the same dinners, dances and activities all geared towards wealthy older white people.
But The journey changes as Baby discovers a sub-culture within the staff that enjoy expressing themselves through "dirty" dancing. She sees through the fake nature of the resort owner and the reality that he uses his staff to please the guests in order that they will continue to be return customers. Baby immediately is understood as someone who values people regardless of their spending power, and she proves it by helping Penny with money for an abortion and also for risking her "good name" by getting her father to help Penny when the procedure goes poorly. In the midst of this, she steps in to fill the gap for Penny's absence with Johnny at the dance competition which would allow them to earn a season of money if they win.
Because or her wantingness, or perhaps ignorance at stepping in to dance for Penny, she finds herself face to face with her lack of belief in herself to soar (literally and figuratively). But through this journey of learning to dance with Johnny, she also learns to navigate how to live her life, and the dance is merely an expression of her heart's desire to be free.
