Beauty and the Beast is a timeless fairytale that has been a favorite among storytelling enthusiasts for centuries. Nowadays, Beauty and the Beast is best known for the 1991 animated version produced by Disney. However, the fairytale has been around for hundreds of years, and its message is more relevant than ever. While many people see Beauty and the Beast as a simple tale of love triumphing over adversity, it is much more than that.
At its core, the Beauty and the Beast tale is about the struggle between inner beauty and outward appearances. It highlights the importance of decency, kindness, and generosity beyond the physical appearances of the characters.
The Synopsis of Beauty and the Beast fairytale
The Beauty and the Beast story is about a young prince who is obsessed with his appearance. The prince’s lack of kindness and consideration for others results in him getting cursed by an old woman whom he refused shelter when she needed it. The curse transforms him into a beast. Afterward, the prince of Beast is given only by the villagers’ presence and their alms giving of his castle.
Eventually, a young girl named Belle comes into the picture. Belle is a beautiful and kind young woman who is beloved by her father and town for her ability to see beyond external appearances. Despite the many challenges faced from the Beast, Belle is able to discover the Beast’s inner beauty, and long story short, they fall in love.
The Significance of the Tale
Many may look at Beauty and the Beast as only a simple story of true love conquering all. However, there is so much more to the story than just the classic romance. The tale is about the dangers of vanity and the value of inner beauty and kindness.
The Beast represents a character who struggles with being judged only by his outward appearance. His monstrous appearance is as a result of him being cursed by an old woman. The curse he got was purely arbitrary because of his failure to treat her with respect due to her looks. This curse is a metaphorical representation of any combination of qualities that can overshadow a person’s inner beauty, such as wealth and status.
At one point in the story, the Beast takes Belle on a tour of his castle. During the tour, the Beast is trying to show Belle all the riches he possesses. Belle, on the other hand, is more interested in knowing the Beast behind the appearances. She sees that the Beast’s inner beauty is what’s significant, not his wealth or his castle’s beauty.
The Tale’s Lessons
One of the primary lessons brought out in Beauty and the Beast is that physical beauty is overrated. People should focus more on inner beauty rather than physical. This emphasis is essential in today’s world where judgment based on appearance is rampant.
Another key takeaway from Beauty and the Beast is the importance of treating people with kindness and consideration regardless of their social status, race, physical appearance, or disability. Simple acts of kindness can make a huge difference in someone’s life.
The tale also teaches that there is value in companionship and getting to know people beyond their outward appearances. In the story, it was only after Belle got to know the Beast better that their bond grew stronger.
Another lesson from Beauty and the Beast worth mentioning is that everyone carries their beauty inside, and everyone has the potential to be kind and loving. People should aspire to promote inner beauty over external beauty because in the long run, it’s the inner beauty that really counts.
Conclusion
In a world where appearances are everything, Beauty and the Beast is a tale that reminds us to look beyond superficial attributes and valuing people for who they are. It teaches us the importance of treating others with kindness and consideration regardless of their social status, race, physical appearance, or disability. As we learnt in the story, true love does conquer all, as long as it’s based on inner beauty. Therefore, Beauty and the Beast remains a timeless fairytale that will continue to inspire and enlighten generations the world over.
FAQ
What is point of view in the story?
Point of view is a key aspect of storytelling that refers to the perspective from which a story is told. It is essentially the writer’s way of deciding who the narrator is, and to whom they are speaking. Establishing a clear point of view is important because it dictates how the reader interprets the characters, events, and other important details in the story.
There are three main types of point of view: first person, second person, and third person. In first person point of view, the story is told from the perspective of one of the characters, typically using pronouns such as “I”, “my”, and “me”. This type of point of view can create a strong sense of connection between the reader and the narrator, as the reader experiences the story through the eyes of a character who is experiencing it too.
The second person point of view is less common, as it involves the narrator directly addressing the reader as “you”. This type of point of view can create a sense of immediacy, as the reader feels as though they are a participant in the events of the story.
The most common type of point of view is third person. This is where the story is told by a narrator who is not a character in the story, using pronouns such as “he”, “she”, or “they”. Third person point of view allows for a more objective perspective, as the narrator can provide insight into the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters. This type of narrative voice can also create a sense of distance between the reader and the characters, as they are not experiencing the story firsthand.
Within third person point of view, there are two subtypes: limited and omniscient. In limited third person, the narrator only has access to the thoughts and feelings of one character, usually the protagonist. This provides a more focused perspective, but it also limits the reader’s understanding of other characters and events in the story. On the other hand, in omniscient third person, the narrator has access to the thoughts and feelings of multiple characters, allowing for a more complete understanding of the story.
Point of view plays a critical role in storytelling by determining the narrator and audience of a story. The choice of point of view can have a significant impact on how the reader experiences and interprets a story, and it is important for writers to choose the point of view that best suits their story and goals.
What point of view is the beast in the jungle?
“The Beast in the Jungle” is a novella written by Henry James and published in 1903. The story follows the life of John Marcher, a man who believes that some significant event, “the beast in the jungle,” will happen to him but does not know when or what form it will take. The story’s narrative is told in the third-person limited point of view from John Marcher’s perspective, which is typical of Henry James’s style.
The third-person limited point of view means that the narrator describes events from the viewpoint of only one character, in this case, John Marcher. The reader can only perceive what John Marcher perceives, and the narrator tells you only what John Marcher says and does. This kind of narration gives the reader an insight into the protagonist’s thoughts, feelings, and motivations, but it is also an unreliable point of view because the narrator interprets things based on John Marcher’s prejudices and preconceptions.
In “The Beast in the Jungle,” the point of view contributes to the suspense and uncertainty of the story. The reader sees the world through John Marcher’s eyes, but they are limited by his lack of self-awareness. Throughout the novella, John is so consumed with his belief that he misses many opportunities for happiness and love because he is convinced that the “beast” will always come back and spoil his life. The irony is that John’s fear is his real “beast,” but he is too blind to see it.
“The Beast in the Jungle” is a story told from the third-person limited point of view, and the main character, John Marcher, is the narrator’s primary focus. This point of view contributes to the suspense and the story’s unreliable nature, as the reader can only perceive events from John’s perspective and is limited by his lack of self-awareness. the point of view chosen by James gives the story a unique and engaging style, which contributes to the novella’s lasting appeal to readers.
How is Beauty and the Beast through feminist perspective?
Beauty and the Beast, a classic fairy tale, has often been criticized for the way women are portrayed. However, when viewed through a feminist perspective, the tale has several positive elements.
One of the most striking feminist elements in Beauty and the Beast is the character of Beauty herself. She is not a helpless damsel in distress, waiting for a prince to rescue her. Instead, she is independent, self-reliant, and smart. She has interests beyond finding a husband and is brave enough to face the Beast alone. Her strength and independence make her a feminist character.
Furthermore, the story does not shy away from the fact that Beauty is not just physically beautiful. The story emphasizes her internal beauty, her intelligence and her kind heart, making her more than just a pretty face. This is important because it reinforces the idea that a woman’s worth is not determined by her appearance alone.
Beauty is also given the power to choose and the freedom to fall in love with the Beast, if she so chooses. She is not forced into marriage, as was often the case in the 18th century; she is given the power to choose her own destiny. This furthers her liberation as a feminist character.
Another positive message in Beauty and the Beast is that the Beast, despite his appearance, is a kind and caring creature. He does not judge Beauty based on her appearance, as people have always judged him. This emphasis on the inner qualities of a person, rather than their outward appearance, is an important lesson for society as a whole.
When viewed through a feminist perspective, Beauty and the Beast has many positive elements. Beauty is a strong, independent character who is not defined by her appearance. She exercises her power of choice and is not forced into anything. The story emphasizes the importance of inner beauty over physical appearance. Finally, the Beast is a kind and loving character despite his physical appearance. These elements combine to create a story that is both entertaining and empowering for women.
