Beauty and the Beast is second only to Cinderella in international appeal and number of variants. In the Aarne-Thompson Tale Type Guide, Type 425 is “Searching For A Lost Husband.” Beauty and the Beast has its own subgroup: 425C. One outstanding feature of B&B which gives it distinction is that the Beast must go through a transformation, not the bride (Beauty). It is true Beauty goes through inner growth during her time with Beast at his castle – she learns to love Beast despite his outward appearance. Beast’s transformation depends entirely on Beauty’s awakening. Her awakening brings civility to his beastly nature.
The image at the top of the post is by Annie Leibovitz. It appeared US Vogue, April 2005, in an article entitled “Beauty and the Beast starring Drew Barrymore, a Portfolio by Annie Leibovitz.” The whole spread is stunningly beautiful.
Leave a Reply