The Beauty and The Beast

I was raised on Disney movies. When I would wake in the middle of the night as an infant, my parents would play Sleeping Beauty until I fell asleep, and even after I had my dad would insist on finishing the movie as I slept in his arms.

It was not until I started high school that I learned that not everyone likes Disney movies, which was a surprise at first but makes sense to me now. Everyone is raised differently; guided towards different movies, books and music genres by their parents. This is to be expected, considering how diverse the world is.

Belle Falls in Love

I have heard many criticisms of The Beauty and the Beast, and while I appreciate every individual's perspective, I cannot deny that I love the movie and the original book that was written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve. Everyone will interpret a story differently, based on their own personal perspectives, and that is ok! That is how the world should be!

My interpretation of Belle's love for the Beast is one that looks beyond external differences to appreciate who a person is on the inside, flaws and all (and he does the same for her). There are similarities to Pride and Prejudice, as both Belle and the Beast are stubborn individuals who must learn to look beyond initial impressions. The idea of this deeper love, to be seen for who one truly is, has always meant a lot to me, as someone who has never really fit in to society's expectations of who I should be. To me, this love is beautiful.

Originally a French fairytale that is much darker than the Disney interpretation (as most fairytales are before they get to Disney), this story will forever be close to my heart.

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