The classic Disney animated Beauty and the Beast is one of the most famous love stories around. In fact, it appears among the AFI's Top 100 Passions list. However, is Beauty and the Beast really a fulfilling love story? Or does it glorify abuse?
Controversial Romance
Belle and Beast's relationship is quite controversial because the Beast initially captures Belle. Plenty of people have argued Belle does not have Stockholm Syndrome, but some have argued their relationship is unhealthy in other ways; for example, it convinces young girls they can change abusive partners through nurturing care.
I have read articles explaining how dysfunctional the relationship is. However, none of them are written from a Christian perspective. As a Christian, I find it crucial to watch films with Biblical values.
Anna Menta is one of many who, in her 2017 Elite Daily article, argues Beauty and the Beast is merely a film that glorifies abuse. Even after Belle nurses the Beast, as Menta writes, "He gives her morsels of confusing kindness-such as the library-that in theory, make it seem like he's treating her right, but maintains total control over her freedom."
Yes, I see how kindness can be used to mask manipulation, but I think that more clearly defines the live-action film than the animated one. In the cartoon, the Beast develops feelings towards Belle's kindness and, thus, desires to be like her; that's why he gives her the library. In the 2017 live-action remake, though, the Beast hands over the library to get Belle to stop quoting books-and she falls for it anyway.
I have also read arguments claiming Belle never got the adventure she wanted; instead, she got a man. If you pay attention to the bookshop scene during the opening number, though, Belle clearly describes her favorite book as being about "far off places, daring sword fights, magic spells, a prince in disguise." She ended up reversing a magic spell at a mysterious castle and meeting a cursed prince. This being said, the Beast gave Belle the adventure she wanted.
Some people, especially in our individualistic culture, also view Belle's choice to take her father's place at the Beast's castle as problematic. However, sacrificial love is encouraged in scripture. John 15:13 reads, "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends" (Holy Bible, English Standard Version). By the end of the animated film, the Beast learns to exhibit sacrificial love himself.
Alongside escaping her provincial village, Belle wanted to be accepted for who she is. She refused to change herself to please men, but she was still lonely and desperate for love. Prolonged loneliness can be toxic and is discouraged by scripture. After God created Adam, He says in Genesis 2:18, "It is not good that the man should be alone" (Holy Bible, English Standard Version). The Beast learned to treat Belle the way for her inner qualities rather than her beauty, thus giving her the community she needed.
Evaluating Belle and Beast's Relationship
While women should never try to change abusive partners, it is also possible for abusers to repent. Micah 7:19 reads, "He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea" (Holy Bible, English Standard Version). This being said, God forgives all sinners who repent.
Besides, Belle never tries or intends to change the Beast in the animated film. The only moment I could see the possibility is when Belle nurses the Beast. However, the Beast has already started to change by then. I also read an online comment pointing out that Belle held the Beast accountable for his actions rather than trying to change him. In the remake, though, Belle used book quotes to change the Beast.
Belle certainly never tried to change Gaston, who displayed much more red flags than the Beast (telling her not to read, showing up uninvited, forcing her into marriage, etc.) Gaston is much less predatory in the remake; I think the creators maybe didn't want to show kids woman abuse. However, kids need to know that the world is not always safe place; women still face sexism today. Parents need to talk about the issue with their children as well as explaining the difference between repentant and nonrepentant sinners.
There are certainly cases in which victims of abuse believe they can change their partners (who may refuse to repent). However, blaming Beauty and the Beast for this attitude ignores the trope's prevalence in other media. For instance, it occurs in Adventure Time and The Simpsons.
The Real Problem
I understand why Beauty and the Beast has been accused of romanticizing violence, though. As with all other Disney princess stories, it is heavily marketed to girls in their early childhood years, a time when they cannot yet separate fantasy from reality. I doubt they can understand the difference between changing yourself with outside guidance and directly changing someone else. Hence, a child under six might read the film as being about a woman changing a man, which can later hinder their ability to overcome abuse.
Parents should definitely talk about Belle and the Beast's relationship with their children when watching the film. However, it needs to happen at the right time; children below first grade might be too young to understand the complex relationship dynamics. If children do end up watching the film before age six (because it's so common), parents need to limit their exposure to it and tell them it's "pretend."
Even if Belle and the Beast's relationship is problematic, that's why children must distinguish a fairy tale from real life. What works in a fantasy romance will probably not work in real life. Besides, movies in general are not meant to model behavior; they are meant to challenge our views about things. Movies can teach kids about issues such as sexism, but parents should discuss it with them for best results.
Conclusion
Disney's Beauty and the Beast can be problematic if misused as a babysitter, but it does encourage Biblical values such as forgiveness and sacrifice. Parents might need to clarify the story to children at first, but they can eventually view it as an allegory of sacrificial love rather than a model for real life.
Do you think Beauty and the Beast is problematic?
RESOURCES:
Holy Bible. English Standard Version, Crossway, 2016.
Menta, Anna. "The 'Beauty and the Beast' Love Story Doesn't Hold Up to Emma Watson's Feminism." Entertainment, Elite Daily, 17 Mar. 2017, https://www.elitedaily.com/entertainment/film/beauty-and-the-beasts-abusive-relationship-emma-watson/1828119.
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