Transformations in Walt Disney’s Beauty and the Beast
Kylie Hanna
“Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away. But she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within.”[1]
-Beauty and the Beast
Introduction
Disney’s film Beauty and the Beast tells the story of the redemptive love between its two main characters, the Beast and Belle. The film opens on a stormy night when an old beggar-woman seeks shelter in the castle of a prince. The prince, spoiled and unkind, turns her away, despite her caution against judging her based on her appearance. His stubborn refusal to show her any kindness proves to the old lady that his character holds no redeeming qualities. She reveals herself as an enchantress and places a curse over the whole castle, turning the prince into a “hideous beast” and his servants into household objects. She leaves an enchanted rose that will bloom until his twenty-first birthday, at which point the curse can no longer be broken and the prince will remain a beast forever.
Several years later, a young woman named Belle lives in a small village with her father, Maurice.Belle is growing restless in her provincial life and escapes to grander, more exciting places by reading voraciously.Although she doesn’t quite fit in, many consider Belle to be the most beautiful woman in town and as such, she is pursued by the huntsman Gaston, the most eligible bachelor in the village. One day, as he is traveling to a fair, Mauricegets lost in the woods before stumbling upon the Beast’s castle. The servants take pity on him and welcome him inside, despite the fact that it would make the Beast very angry. When he does find out, the Beast throws Maurice in a cell in the tower where he is to be imprisoned forever. Belle finds her way to the castle however and offers herself in exchange for her father. The beast, incredulous and intrigued, agrees to her proposal and sends Maurice back to the village. Because he knows that she could potentially break the spell, the Beast treats Belle as a guest, rather than a prisoner. He gives her a room of her own and free reign throughout most of the castle before inviting her to join him for dinner. Belle spends several months at the castle and, despite a rocky beginning, grows to feel at home.
Back in the village, Maurice attempts to mount a rescue party but is laughed off by the other villagers who think that he is nothing more than a “crazy old loon.” He sets off on his own, determined to find his daughter and save her from her captivity. The incident in the village and the townspeople’s comments give Gaston an idea however, and he plots to blackmail Belle into marrying him by having Maurice thrown in an insane asylum. When neither Belle nor her father can be found, Gaston sets about waiting, still determined to woo and marry Belle.
As the Beast and Belle spend increasing amounts of time together, they begin to develop feelings for each other and eventually fall in love, though the Beast is the only one to realize it at first. When they discover that Maurice is ill and in distress, the Beast releases Belle from her captivity and allows her to leave the castle and attend to him. Belle succeeds in saving her father, but inadvertently reveals the presence of the Beast to all of the villagers. They are so frightened that they set off to kill the Beast and rid themselves of the danger. The villagers, led by Gaston, lay siege to the castle and a battle ensues. Gaston is ultimately defeated though and the villagers are once more terrified. This fear and their sound beating by the castle’s servants cause them to hastily return to their homes in the village. Belle, who has followed, confesses her love for a badly injured Beast and, by doing so, lifts the curse. The Beast returns to a man, the staff becomes human again, and the castle is restored to its former glory.
Rhetorical Situation
Rhetor
While the film was released by Disney in 1991, the story itself is much older. The first published version of the story was written by Madame Gabrielle Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in 1740.[2] Her story is similar to Disney’s in over-arching themes, but differs in several details. It was obviously inspired by several tales of her time that featured animal bridegrooms, but it was an original work. In the 1740’s, readers recognized that the story was not intended as merely entertainment, but also as a social commentary on the marriage system.
In Villeneuve’s time, women had no rights related to marriage and could be locked up in convents or mental institutions if they did not measure up to their husband’s expectations.[3]Windlingasserts that “Animal Bridegroom stories, in particular, embodied the real–life fears of women who could be promised to total strangers in marriage, and who did not know if they'd find a beast or a lover in their marriage bed.”[4] These themes, however, would not have been relevant to twentieth century viewers and were ultimately removed, making for a very different story.
Audience
The film is branded as a family filmand is marketed to young children and their parents.[5] Due to this fact, there are certain rules that the film must follow. To achieve its “G” rating from the Motion Picture Association of America Beauty and the Beast had to meet all of the guidelines set forth by the organization. There is no inappropriate language, nudity, sex, or violence that would be unsuitable for younger viewers. The film abstains from engaging in any themes or other matters that the Rating Board deems offensive to parents of younger children. There is absolutely no nudity or drug use and there are no sex scenes anywhere in the film Violence may be included, but it is very mild and is used minimally. The dialogue may include brief portions which “may go beyond polite conversation but they are common everyday expressions.”[6] Because the film follows all of these guidelines, it has received a “G” rating from the MPAA.
Accolades
Received well by audiences worldwide, the film was rewarded with glowing reviews from critics such as Roger Ebert, who lauded it as “magical” and “robust family entertainment.”[7] The film was nominated for twenty-seven awards, nineteen of which it then won. The most notable of these are five Grammys, three Golden Globes, and two Oscars.[8] In 2002, the USA National Film Preservation Board selected Beauty and the Beast to be added to the National Film Registry.[9]
Exigence/Context
Aside from following these guidelines of regulation, the film also follows an inherent rule in that it expresses some sort of truth about our culture. This particular film reveals a shift in society’s perception of the heroine. Belle is a very strong, independent character who makes her own choices about her life. She displays qualities that are highly valued by today’s audiences. When facing danger, Belle carries the concept of courage to its fullest extent by offering herself as a sacrifice. Without hesitation, she is willing to set aside her own dreams in order to secure her father’s freedom and safety. Plugged In Online, a Christian website dedicated to keeping parents informed on popular culture, states that, “In the face of such danger, Belle is both brave and self-sacrificial. She is instantly willing to set all her dreams aside to insure her father's wellbeing and freedom. And that is inspiring indeed. Mrs. Potts, the castle's resident talking teapot notices. Lumiere, her best candlestick, notices. And kids of all ages watching this movie will notice too.”[10] Children will be encouraged to emulate Belle because of this trait along with her kindness, gentleness, sweetness and generosity. They’ll want to imitate her because she’s so easy to identify with. Within her town she is regarded as strange and valued only for her beauty but she longs for an escape to pursue her own dreams.
Many viewers compare this film to others by Disney. Rather than the traditional love at first sight scenario, Belle and the Beast fall in love over time after getting to know each other. This change is important because it again indicates the shifting value system in society. The tale of Beauty and the Beast is centuries old, but Disney chooses to tell it in a new way, making it relevant to today’s audiences. Families choose to watch this film more than twenty years after its initial release because it still means something to each individual who sees it. Anyone can take away some form of truth.
Methodology
In order to fully understand a text, audiences must perform a close reading of the material. “a reading then, is an attempt to understand the socially shared meanings that are supported by words, images, objects, actions, and messages.”[11]In examining a text,several of these aspects work together to form a reading. This reading offers the audience insight into the intentions behind each creative decision that the rhetor makes. It is important to examine texts fully in order to properly discern precisely what message that the rhetor is attempting to convey. While exploring Beauty and the Beast, the theme of transformation is most prominent. This leads the viewer to watch the film with the following question in mind: how do rhetors portray identity transformations through film?
Beauty and the Beast is an important text to analyze because it is a children’s film. As such, it is in a unique position of influence because “generic patterns reveal social truths.”[12] Children view films for their entertainment factor and do not realize that they are also consuming the rhetor’s message. These messages influence the child’s view of the world during a time of fundamental development. The lessons learned as a child become ingrained into his or her being. Many of these lessons developing a child’s perception of his or her world are delivered through the media.
An analysis of the rhetorical tools of language, argumentation and narrative, and visuals is essential to understanding the scope of this film. To explore the use of language, it is important to understand its semiotics. This is “the relationship among signs, meanings, and referents."[13] The study of semiotics allows critical audiences to study the signification of words used in the text. The rhetorical tool of argumentation is defined as “reasoned discourse that seeks to persuade by presenting support for a position.”[14] The tool used most extensively by the rhetors in Beauty and the Beast is that of visuals. Visuals, much like words, carry their own inherent symbolic value. Audiences must analyze what they see because society has become a visual culture, “distinguished by the ubiquity of visual forms of communication that appear in multiple media outlets at the same time.”[15]
Analysis
The idea of transformation is a central theme in Beauty and the Beast. How do rhetors portray identity transformations through film? Using the tools of language, argumentation and narrative, and visuals is essential for the audience in analyzing the text and answering this question.
Language
Kenneth Burke states that “language is primarily a species of action…rather than an instrument of definition and the best way to understand human relations and motives is through an analysis of symbolic action.”[16] The dialogue used by the characters in Beauty and the Beast serves to symbolize the transformations undergone by Gaston and the Beast. From his very first scene, Gaston’s statements and those made by other characters illustrate his character for the viewer. The first words spoken about Gaston are delivered by his sidekick, Lefou. He is praising Gaston’s hunting prowess saying, “You’re the greatest hunter in the whole world!...No beast stands a chance against you. And no girl either!” It is at this point that Gaston reveals his intentions to “woo and marry Belle.” However, he does not desire her for her intelligence, character, or qualities. He desires her because she is the most beautiful girl in town. Gaston believes “that makes her the best. And don’t I deserve the best?” This conversation with Lefou begins the process of slowly revealing Gaston’s obsessive nature to the audience. He has decided that he will marry Belle and throughout the film exposes that he will use any means necessary to accomplish his goal.
When Belle refuses to marry him, Gaston retreats to the village tavern where his character reaches a turning point. He here states that Belles dismissal of his proposal leaves him “publicly humiliated” and “disgraced.” He is merely licking his wounds to begin with, but receives inspiration from a passing comment about Belle’s father. Another of the tavern’s patrons says, “crazy old Maurice, he’s always good for a laugh.” It is at this point that Gaston becomes the villain in the film. His dialogue is no longer comprised of boastful comments and self-absorbed confidence, but sinister plans and threats. He reveals to his accomplice that he intends to force Belle to marry him through what he calls “persuasion.” When Maurice is taken, Gaston tells Belle that he “might be able to clear up this little misunderstanding, if you marry me.” When Belle refuses, he detects her partiality for the Beast and becomes so jealous that he uses his influence to whip the crowd of townspeople into a fearful frenzy and leads them on an attack of the castle. Gaston’s obsessive nature is now set on the destruction of the Beast. When he finally meets the object of his rage, he hurls insults at him. When the Beast refuses to fight, Gaston taunts him with Belle’s words saying, “what’s the matter Beast? Too kind and gentle to fight back?...Did you honestly think she’d want you when she had someone like me?...Belle is mine!” In the final scenes of the film, Belle cries out, “he’s no monster Gaston. You are!” This statement fully reveals Gaston’s transformation to the viewers and presents the reversal of roles that has occurred.
The Beast begins the film as a villainous character. As such, his dialogue is harsh, accusatory, and angry. When Maurice seeks refuge in the castle, the Beast assumes that he is there to look at him as though he were a freak on display. The audience’s only warning about the Beast’s temper is the fear exhibited by his servants. Cogsworth worries, “you know what the master would do if he finds you.” Chip gasps, “uh oh.” At this point, the Beast enters the room in a rage and the audience sees the reason for the servants’ fear. He shouts at Maurice wanting to know who he is and why he is in his castle before bellowing, “you’re not welcome here.”
The moment Belle arrives though, the audience begins to see hints of the Beast’s transformation to come. The first time the Beast speaks at a volume below a shout occurs when Belle offers to take her father’s place as prisoner. He is incredulous and asks, “you would take his place?” His surprise at her selflessness supersedes his temper in that moment and again foreshadows the effect that Belle will have on him. This is further demonstrated by the Beast’s attempts at hospitality as he showed Belle to her room. He offers her almost unrestricted access to the castle, saying that it “is [her] home now” and offering his servants to attend to her. The Beast relapses almost immediately though and screams at Belle to join him for dinner. He threatens her by saying, “if she doesn’t eat with me, she doesn’t eat at all.” Later that night, Belle wanders into the forbidden west wing, which again enrages the Beast. He shouts at her to get out, frightening her so badly that she disregards her promise and runs away from the castle. The Beast saves her from wolves, however, and from this point on, the Beast’s dialogue and delivery is changed completely. His language is no longer defensive and accusatory, but is gentle.
As this change begins to take place, Belle becomes a priority to the Beast. He demonstrates this by saying, “I’ve never felt this way about anyone. I want to do something for her.” This sentiment is magnified when he eventually released Belle from her captivity and allowed her to leave the castle. When asked why, the Beast simple states, “I had to. Because I love her.” The entire premise of the film is realized in this simple statement; the Beast finally learns to love.
Argument/Narrative
An argument is defined as “reasoned discourse that seeks to persuade by presenting support for a position.”[17] The film’s primary argument is stated at the very beginning of the film. The enchantress warns the prince that, “beauty is found within.” This point is supported throughout the film by her endeavor to teach him this through her enchantment. The only way to break the curse is for the Beast to learn to love someone and earn her love in return, despite his hideous appearance. In order to fully invest in the Beast’s story, the viewer must believe that every person contains within him or her some quality to be loved. The Beast’s character evolves over the course of the story; the creature Belle first meets is full of anger and hate. Despite this, prolonged exposure to her goodness and kindness cause the Beast to grow into the man who eventually finds his happily ever after.