I find it fun to think about different directions in which a story could go. Recently, I was thinking up the following scenarios had they happened in Disney's animated Beauty and the Beast:
What if Belle had already moved away from home before the film starts?
The film would have a different opening song. Had there been no patriarchy to hold Belle back, she would've already been living a glorious adventure-walking the streets of Paris, owning a mansion and writing books in it, or even attending a college with a grand library (even though I don't know how likely that would've been).
Meanwhile, her father Maurice would devote his time to his inventions without having to care for Belle. Yet, he would've still gone to the fair and, possibly even, gotten lost at the Beast's castle. Besides, nobody would've come to save him.
If she were to live her adventure, Belle still would visit her father all the time. She would still help him with his inventions and ensure his safety. Even if she could not visit her father, Belle would write letters to him every day, except was there a way to send long-distance letters in eighteenth-century France?
What if Belle told her father she wanted to leave the village?
Belle did not seem to have the courage to tell Maurice about leaving the village due to her fear of patriarchal restriction. If she did, though, her father would've offered to bring Belle to the fair with him. But what about the chickens and goats? Maybe Belle could promise to feed the animals (and fulfill it) before they leave home.
The fair could've been Maurice's first step in taking Belle on her desired adventure. If his invention won first prize at the fair, Maurice could ask Belle where she wanted to go and take her there.
Maurice could also give Belle the money to travel on her own. However, it was probably unusual for an unmarried woman to go out alone in eighteenth century France. Even though she would escape Gaston, Belle could face other abusive men trying to restrict her.
Either way, Belle and Maurice still could've gotten lost at the Beast's castle. In that case, the Beast would capture both of them at once. Her father's presence would comfort Belle while she stayed in a scary environment, but how would it affect her growing relationship with the Beast, who would have no chance to exercise sacrificial love?
What if Belle lost her father and/or had to live alone?
It depends on how it happens. If Maurice died from an accident on the way to the fair, Belle would have to live alone (at least for a while). She could work at the bookshop to make money for travel, but she still would have to face Gaston. Besides, since Belle wanted acceptance, living alone in a patriarchal village would not be good for her. Prolonged loneliness can lead to serious physical and mental health issues.
Or else, Belle could sell her cottage and run off to Paris for work. Except did women sell property in eighteenth century France?
If the Beast sends Belle home before she could take her father's place, she would've walked back. Maurice could've died before Belle's return. In that case, Belle would tell the Beast to take her in as revenge for killing her father. Of course, she would also sell her cottage, never having to return to the patriarchal village again. Belle and the Beast could've still fallen in love in that case, but the Beast would begin as a captor and a murderer. God forgives all sinners, but the relationship would be even more controversial.
Either way, Belle would not want to live alone. That is why she was protective of her aging father. Besides, Belle had to speak up for her father whenever the villagers mock him, along with rescuing him from danger. Hence, I like that Belle initially still lived at home; father and daughter needed each other.
What do you think about these theories?
No comments:
Post a Comment