Battle of the Beasts

There are striking contrasts Beaumont's "Beauty and the Beast" and the Disney version of the tale. Beaumont’s tale focuses more on the transformation of self in Beauty and Disney’s version is about the transformation both inside and out of Beast. The contrasts are so striking because both stories take very different views of human characteristics and nature. Beaumont looks at the importance of inner beauty, but Disney looks more towards the importance of keeping a balance between nature and civilization.
Beaumont's "Beauty and the Beast" is about Beauty's inner transformation. Beaumont’s story begins with the woes of Beauty and her family. Beauty is naturally kind and giving, but her transformation stems from her inability to accept Beast fully because of his looks. Beast's character never wavers (because of his good breeding), and he is always kind and caring even after he has transformed back into a prince. “Even though she is happy in the castle, Beauty declines a marriage proposal from Beast everyday” (Selby). Beauty bases her decision on how Beast appears rather than his who he is. Even though Beast has proven that he is a beautiful person on the inside Beauty is blinded by his monstrous exterior. As Beaumont’s story progresses, Beauty starts her inner transformation and begins to care about what is on the inside rather than what one sees on the outside. She eventually allows her feelings about Beast’s inner beauty overcome her negative feelings about his appearance. Her transformation comes to a head when she returns from her visit with her family. When she returns she finds Beast on the ground unconscious. She says to him, "I thought that I felt only friendship for you, but the grief I am feeling makes me realize that I can't live without you" (Beaumont 41). Beauty finally has overcome her disdain for Beast’s looks and realized what is on the inside is more important than appearance. Beauty does say that she will marry Beast; she does not tell him that she...