“City University of Science
Information and Technology”
Name : Abdul Moiz
Id : 16539
Department : BSN
Major Assignment no : 01
Submitted to : Madam Noor-ul-Ain
Title:
“Beauty and the Beast: transformation of the Beast”
The story of Beauty and the Beast is a classic fairytale that has been passed down through
generations in various forms. Its core themes of love, transformation, and the consequences of
vanity and selfishness have made it one of the most enduring tales in Western literature. Below is
a summary of the story as it appears in its most famous versions, focusing on its literary origins.
Origins and Early Versions
The story of Beauty and the Beast has been attributed to French writer Jeanne-Marie Leprince de
Beaumont, although it was published in 1756 as part of a collection of stories for young girls.
However, there were versions of the story before her writing, most notably the La Belle et la
Bête by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, published in 1740. Beaumont's is the one most
associated with the fairy tale as we know it today.
Characters of the Story:
1. Beauty (Belle)
Role: The heroine of the story.
Description: Beauty (also known as Belle in many versions) is typically portrayed as a
kind, intelligent, and beautiful young woman. While her outward beauty is noted, it is her
inner beauty—her kindness, compassion, and selflessness—that truly defines her
character. She often values inner qualities over superficial appearances and is not swayed
by external appearances or wealth.
2. The Beast
Role: The tragic hero of the story.
Description: The Beast is a prince who has been cursed to appear as a terrifying monster
due to his previous arrogance and selfishness. Though his exterior is frightening, he is
capable of great love and kindness. The curse can only be broken if someone learns to
love him despite his appearance. Over the course of the story, the Beast transforms
emotionally and spiritually, becoming a better person through his relationship with
Beauty.
3. The Father
Role: Beauty’s father, often a merchant.
Description: In some versions of the story, the father is a wealthy merchant who loses his
fortune and moves with his daughters to a humble cottage. In other versions, he is portrayed
as a more generic character or an inventor. He unknowingly trespasses on the Beast’s land,
leading to his daughter being sent to the Beast's castle.
4. The Sisters
Role: Beauty’s jealous siblings.
Description: In many versions of Beauty and the Beast, Beauty has two or more sisters
who are vain, selfish, and jealous of Beauty’s charm and kindness. They often contrast
sharply with Beauty’s humble, loving nature. While Beauty is kind and self-sacrificing,
her sisters are typically portrayed as shallow and materialistic. They play a role in
influencing Beauty’s decisions, especially when she returns home from the Beast’s castle,
and sometimes are punished for their greed or ingratitude.
Plot Summary:
The Merchant's Family:
The story starts with a merchant who lives in a city with his six children. Among them is Belle,
known in many versions as Beauty, who is the youngest and most loved. She is cited to have lots
of "inner and outer beauty", yet kind, humble, and virtuous, which makes her different from her
other two older sisters, who, vain, selfish, and greedy, could not measure up to such greatness.
The merchant's family falls into financial ruin, and the father is forced to move to the countryside
with his children, where they live in a humble home. One day, the merchant receives word that
one of his ships has returned to port, offering him a chance to rebuild his fortune. He determines
to journey to the city to fetch his merchandise, and before he was leaving he asked his children if
they would like some gifts. While his elder daughters are asking for luxuries, Beauty only wishes
for a rose.
So the Merchant left to the port and when he reached there, he came to know that the thives has
Stole all his good and the ship was empty and in very bad condition. So he started his journey
way back to home. On his way back to home he was lost in the Forest.
The Curse:
As the merchant became lost in the forest on his way back home, he encountered a strange castle.
He enters the castle and finds it empty, but there is food laid out for him. He enjoys a hearty meal
and, after spending the night, decides to leave the next morning. As he is about to depart, he
remembers his promise to Beauty and plucks a rose from the garden to give to her. However, the
master of the castle, that is, the Beast, shows his anger, appearing suddenly before the merchant
to ask him for his crime, saying that either one of the merchant's daughters be taken to his castle
or he face death.
The merchant, terrified, returns home and unwillingly narrates the situation to his daughters.
Beauty feels responsible for her father's situation and decides to visit the Beast's castle in her
father's place.
Life in the Castle:
When Beauty comes to the castle, she is being treated kindly by the Beast as well as by his
enchanted servants, who in front of her are appearing to be objects - a talking teapot, a talking
clock, a talking candlestick. Although Beauty finds the appearance of the Beast terrifying, it is
not cruel, and therefore she soon realises that it has a heart of gold; but she finds its appearance
dreadful and cannot imagine leaving the castle.
Each night, the Beast invites Beauty to dine with him, and though he asks her to marry him, she
declines. She begins to like him after some time due to his gentle nature and his ability to
understand her. Beauty's inner beauty is unlike the exterior of the Beast, as she is able to look
beyond his monstrous appearance. Beauty eventually gets accustomed to the castle and begins to
feel an attachment towards the Beast.
The Dream and the Transformation:
Beauty, however, misses her family, and the Beast, out of love and understanding, allows her to
return home for a short visit. He tells her she may stay for a limited time but must promise to
return. During her time at home, Beauty's selfish sisters, who are envious of the life she has at
the castle, try to make her stay longer. Beauty has a dream in which she finds the Beast dying,
and she is riddled with feelings of guilt and responsibility for her promise to return.
Beauty returns swiftly to the castle. When Beauty finds the Beast is dying, she realizes how
deeply she cares about him. She confesses love for him: she wants to marry him notwithstanding
his appearance. The moment she declares this love, the Beast transforms back into a handsome
prince, and the castle returns to its former grandeur. The spell that had transformed him into a
Beast is broken, and the prince explains that he had been cursed by an enchantress who cast the
spell because of his earlier selfishness and pride.
The Happy Ending:
Beauty and the Prince are married, and the former servants who were enchanted turn back to
their human form. Beauty's sisters, who did not change, were vain and shallow; thus, they
received the punishment of greed, whereas Beauty and the Beast lived happily ever after,
teaching that love, kindness, and inner beauty are more important than outer appearance.
Themes and Interpretations:
1. Transformation and Redemption:
The central theme of Beauty and the Beast is
transformation, both physical and emotional. The Beast is physically transformed into a
monster because of his inner cruelty, but over time, he learns humility and kindness,
which leads to his redemption.
Similarly, Beauty's love helps transform him. The story teaches that true beauty lies in one's
heart and actions, not in outward appearance.
2. The Power of Love:
It is the theme of love and its power to change and heal. The love that
Beauty developed for the Beast was not by appearance but through his character, which is shown
to be noble and compassionate at the end. The story points out that love can overcome any kind
of physical form and superficial qualities.
3. Beauty vs. Vanity:
The contrast between Beauty and her selfish sisters
highlights the theme of inner vs. outer beauty. The sisters, who represent vanity and
greed, ultimately face punishment, while Beauty, who embodies kindness and
selflessness, is rewarded with love and happiness.
4. Fate and Free Will:
The Beast’s curse represents a moral lesson about the
consequences of actions—his selfishness led to the curse, but his eventual growth and
change show that people have the power to shape their own destinies.
……END😊
