Beauty and the Beast - Essay Example

Beauty and the Beast Introduction “When we dead awaken: writing as a revision” is work done by Adrienne Rich, one of the most popular and leading American poet. Her work on “When we dead awaken: writing as a revision” is basically celebrated for its wide contribution toward modern language association (Rich 2). The artists work was faced with vast challenges emanating from traditional assumptions of literal scholarship (Rich 2). This was not all, since it prompted the inclusion of women studies and feminist criticism in the wider academia field (Rich 2). It is important to mention that Rich mainly focused on advocating for equality within the society inclusive of women. In addition to women equality, Rich also broadened her writing to promote equality for gays, those disenfranchised by race and class (Rich 5). From the title “When we dead awaken: writing as a revision” it is practically difficult to believe how many people have been affected including women and those who don’t have an idea of what is happening (Rich 5). According to Rich, it is exhilarating to be alive at the time of awakening consciousness since it leads to confusion, disorientation and pain (Rich 7). By the virtue that the work is a revision, the main idea is to look back and seeing with fresh eyes of entering an old text from a new critical direction (Rich 7). Relatively, the main idea is to create self knowledge for women who keep searching for identity and refusal to self-destructiveness in the male dominated world (Rich 7). Section 1 Cupid and Psyche is a well known tales written by Lucius Apuleius in C.E. 150 (Apuleius 1). The tale narrates about a major obstacle that was overcoming to the love between Psyche (which means breath of life or soul) and Cupid (which means desire) (Apuleius 3). The main obstacle was affecting the ultimate attachment of the two in marriage. The story elaborately describes theme of dangerous curiosity, punishment, tests and redemption through divine favor (Apuleius 5). Section 2 Tiger’s bride by Angela Carter is another love story of a woman who moved in with a mysterious masked Milord (Carter 2). The Milord was a beast and the marriage ended up after her father lost in a gambled game of cards forcing him to award the Milord with his daughter (Carter 3). The Milord was eventually revealed to be a tiger (Carter 5). However, a happy ending is exhibited when “The courtship of Mr. Lyon,” the heroin transformed into a glorious tiger a proper mate to the beast (Carter 5). Section 3 The lady and the lion is another short tale about a man who had three daughters. When he was leaving he asked them to say the gifts they wanted. One said pearl; the other diamond and the youngest who was his favorite requested a singing soaring lark (Wilhelm and Jacob 2). He returned with all except the singing soaring lark. In his pursuit for the gift, he unknowingly stole a lion’s lark and they agreed with the lion to repay with the first thing to greet him upon arrival at home (Wilhelm and Jacob 5). Unfortunately the youngest daughter was the first. The daughter love to the lion grew and they got married after realizing he was a handsome prince (Wilhelm and Jacob 2). Section 4 Disney story of beauty and the beast is about a prince who was magically transformed to be a monster as a punishment because of his selfishness. The prince was transformed by an enchantress who had disguised as an old beggar seeking for temporary shelter in the castle from cold. The prince as a beast had to learn how to love other people before the last petal of a rose. Section 5 On the other hand, Beauty and the beast by Madame Le Prince De Beaumont is another version of an old fairy tale of a wealthy merchant who had three beautiful daughters. Out of the three daughters, only the youngest was lovely and pure of heart the others were very selfish and wicked (Madame Le Prince De Beaumont 2). The story revolves about the theme of love and selflessness for others. Body: Body Section 1: Femininity Femininity is clearly shown in the story of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (1991). This trait is demonstrated within a character called Belle. Belle is a young woman who is explained to be kind and pure hearted. She offers her freedom to save his father from the captivity by a beast (REFF). In addition to this, Belle had an odd perception of herself and this was because she was unaware of the beauty she had. The society expects women to be soft and respectable. This is because women are perceived as delicate and vulnerable beings. The weakness of a woman is incomparable and that is why the society recommends a man to take care of a woman. Body Section 2: Masculinity Masculinity is a positive trait designated to men due to their body rich in muscles. In the story beauty and the beast, masculinity trait is perceived in prince who was transformed into a beast. The rough, inhuman and unfriendly character attached to masculinity was portrayed when the prince rudely and selfishly decline to help a poor enchantress (Madame Le Prince De Beaumont 10). The other character is Gaston, a vain hunter who was a top contestant seeking a hand in marriage to Belle. He is too aggressive and determinant never to let Belle go. His selfishness drives him to block other people from winning Belles heart. In addition to this, Gaston is even described as egotistical and a main antagonist (Madame Le Prince De Beaumont 2). The society expects men to be hard, bold and aggressive. This is due to the muscular body of men who are considered powerful and strong people. Body Section 3: Courtship and marriage The story of beauty and the beast generally talks about courtship, love and marriage. It is clear that Gaston was interested in Belle and was planning to marry her. On the other hand, the beast who was a prince also fell in love with Belle after saving her from wolves. When she was treating his wounds, he fell in love with her and from that day he was protecting her. It is evident toward the end of the story that the love of the prince towards her saved him from dying when the last rose petal fell off. They got married and danced with Belle. From this understanding, the society appreciates true courtship that can result in marriage. In this scenario, it is the girl who is allowed to choose the man she wants for marriage and her decision is respected by everybody. Body Section 4: Sexual passion/love The stories of Cupid and Psyche, “tiger’s bide, the lady and the lion and also the beauty and the beast; all of them revolves around the main theme of true love. In the story of Cupid and Psyche, the love demonstrated is compared to the soul and breath of life. When it comes to the tiger’s bride, love saw a woman taken by a tiger and eventually they ended up together and forever. The beauty and the beast also narrate the love and affection attracting the most beautiful woman to an ugly beast. This saw the beautiful woman leave her first man for the beast and ended up marrying and living together forever. This is exactly what the society requires from young people. Real love that makes a person chose his loved one over other things. Body Section 5: Overall themes The main theme that is discussed in the stories discussed in this paper is about love. We saw Belles love with the beast and later marriage towards the end. The tiger fell in love with the bride and later ended up together. The love of Cupid and Psyche is incomparable. The theme of selflessness is also very clearly shown in the story narrated. It is to this trait that she is not given a real name and branded nameless. The nameless status symbolized selflessness since she was able to offer herself to the ugly beast in her fathers place (Zipes 4). Comparison According to Adrienne Rich’s “When We Dead Awaken: Writing as Revision” (1971), the entire play focus on demonstrating how the male artists and thinkers did create finical discriminative culture (Rich 10). It is known that makes culture has made women in her life and work to struggle but slowly awakening to use all her capability (Rich 10). Women can easily drown into men’s luxurious life and still get can kill same men (Rich 10). According to the book much is expected when the dead awakens, revealing that when women eyes open they would contribute too much development in the society. From the story, it is clear that even though women are considered dead, regretful and in pain there is hope that one day they will awaken and become powerful (Rich 12). According to Bettelheim, beauty and the beast is a fairy tale of father who had very beautiful daughter who fell in love with a beast and later got married to him (3). It is important to note that the story forms a satisfactory resolution of a natural oedipal connection between a father and his daughter (Bettelheim 4). According to the revision story, the father of Belle brought her daughter a rose flower as gift which actually symbolized his love for her and the impending loss of her virginity (Bettelheim 5). It is also clear that both the father and the daughter feared the involvement of the beast. However, as Belle matured, the love to her father loosened as she concentrated to her lover (Bettelheim 8). As a mature woman, sex was no longer a scary and frightening thing but a beautiful action for lovers (Bettelheim 10). Similarly, in Jack Zipes “Beauty and the Beast: A Lesson in Submission” (1994), the same theme of love is depicted (Zipes 2). Beauty was so much close and loved her father. In this kind of love, she was selfless and even sacrificed herself to the beast in place of her father (Zipes 8). This is a powerful character trait demonstrated by her actions (Zipes 8). Contrast Adrienne Rich’s “When We Dead Awaken: Writing as Revision” (1971) story narrates women frustration in the hands of men who kill them softly while they wallow in their luxury (Rich 12). A natural woman has no position within the society and is considered dead. She passes though much pain and suffering but hopes that one day she would wake up and speak before men. In the story of Jack Zipes “Beauty and the Beast: A Lesson in Submission, the story is bit different since beauty is appreciated by her father and even brings her gifs that he risked acquiring (Rich 12). The story demonstrates the power of the woman when the beast risked his life t save beauty from the wolves that were attacking her. Bruno Bethlehem Beauty and the beast, the main disparity with the revision is the fact that it did not directly address the issue of male sexuality (Bettelheim 14). This is shown when the young man is theoretically depicted to have separated from his parents and enter into active sexual relationship with another woman (Bettelheim 14). Conclusion In summary, it is important to learn from the stories and realize the importance of maintaining incest taboo upon female children until the time when the child is ready to transfer her love to a person outside the family (Bettelheim 16). The society expects all children to grow up indecency and when mature they can be allowed to get involved in sexual relationship after marriage (Bettelheim 16). For this to happen, there is need for real selfless love to exist between them. The cupid and psyche must be compatibly real among the two love birds. Considering the story of beauty and the beast, the beauty symbolized negative attitude toward sex. Despite the beasty characters of the beast, beauty maintained her status and the beast respected until they fell in love. The society has to change the perception young people have precisely on sexuality and maintain innocence until maturity (Bettelheim 16). Works cited Apuleius, Lucius. Cupid and Psyche. A.D. 150. Web. 4 Apr. 2014. Bettelheim, Bruno. Beauty and the Beast. 1975. Web. 4 Apr. 2014. Carter, Angela. The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories. 1993. Penguin group. 1: 17-20. Madame Le Prince De Beaumont. Beauty and the Beast. 1756. Web. 4 Apr. 2014. Rich, Adrienne. When we dead awaken: Writing as Re-Vision. 2008. National Council of teachers of English. 1: 34. 18-30. Wilhelm, Grimm and Jacob. The lady and the Lion. 1812. Web. 4 Apr. 2014. Zipes, Jack. Beauty and the Beast: A Lesson in Submission. 1994. Web. 4 Apr. 2014. Read More