Feminist Icons: Belle

I brainstormed a new idea for a series, and I figured what if I discussed feminism through my favorite thing in the world: film! I will be aiming to post an article like this once a week. So, enjoy and stay posted!

As a child, I loved the story of Beauty and the Beast. I remember my mother taking me to Beauty and the Beast on Ice when I was a kid. So, my first feminist icon I will be discussing is: Belle from Beauty and the Beast (1991).

Belle, from the start of the movie, is seen different from the very start of the movie as evidenced by the way the villagers sing about her and call her odd for reading. Reading and being educated was seen as wrong for a woman in the 1800s. Gaston, the antagonist of the film, chides Belle for wanting to read, perpetuating the cycle of misogyny (1991). Belle has got high standards due to her educations and readings, which makes her feelings towards Gaston put off due to his belittling of her passions. Belle is secure in herself for the most part, except she struggles to be direct with others.

Gaston arrives at Belle’s home one afternoon to spring a marriage proposal. Belle is immediately turned off by the sight of Gaston and is aware of his narcissitic attitude. Instead of standing up for herself to Gaston, she plays a trick on him to get him out of her house. She discusses what she really wants and it’s for someone to realize she has dreams of her own. Belle is a woman who has goals for herself beyond being someone’s wife and mother, which makes her empowering to women who are motivated to have their own goals for their life.

Belle eventually finds her father imprisoned in the Beast’s castle; to save her father’s life she agrees to stay with the Beast in his place. Belle learns through her imprisonment how to stand her ground as evidenced by refusing to give in to the Beast’s demands when first imprisoned in the castle. Belle also learns how to see through people’s appearances and see the real beauty within through her relationship with the Beast. Belle and Beast spark a friendship based on intelligence, learning, and new experiences through the climax of the film. The Beast appears to appreciate Belle’s intelligence and love for reading. This quality is something all women want in their relationships: someone who appreciates their passions and characteristics.

The Beast teaches Belle to learn to speak up for herself throughout the movie as evidenced by her discussing her needs to save her father’s life. This sacrifice from the Beast allows Belle to get her freedom and prioritize the needs of her family as well. Belle returns home to take care of her father but is shortly ambushed by the villagers to arrest her father for no good reason. Belle leaps to use her voice in this scene to save her father even though she stood apart from the crowd showing her growth in speaking her mind.

Belle ultimately calls out Gaston on his narcissism and how it has turned him into the real BEAST. Belle does end up reuniting with the Beast and assists in breaking the spell that was placed on the castle. Belle’s character development shows women, in particular young girls, how to be authentic in who they are and how to stand up for themselves in the face of trial. That is why Belle is consider the first Disney princess to promote feminism. Tune in to the next article next Sunday…

Citations:

(1991, November 22). Beauty and the Beast [Review of Beauty and the Beast].

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