Tale as Old as Time: Beauty and the Beast

By Lizzi

Belle is, most definitely, my favorite Disney princess. A lot of the Disney princesses seem (to be perfectly honest) like airheads. Think about it: Snow White is warned that the queen can take many forms, yet willingly eats an apple from a creepy old lady. Aurora willingly pricks her finger on a spindle while in the midst of an act of teenage rebellion. Ariel gives her voice to the sea witch in exchange for legs. Frankly, we're not dealing with the brightest women here. Belle, however, is obsessed with books. Everyone finds her silly because she would rather read than work on her outward appearance. And yet, she is beautiful, and everyone agrees. Including Gaston, who is apparently the hottest guy around and all the ladies want him. And yet he wants Belle, because she's not just beautiful, but brainy.

Also, Belle isn't as helpless as the other princesses. Her story is not one in which she is pining after prince charming. Does she meet him? Yes. But the beauty of their relationship is the fact that Belle is looking for "adventure in the great wide somewhere" and the beast helps her gain said adventure. He gives her a library. What a beautiful gift to give to a book lover. Belle wants something more. More than Gaston, more than a life as merely a wife. And this is another reason that she is my favorite princess.

Also, Beauty and the Beast has my favorite love story. Typically, Disney love stories go like this: Prince and Princess meet briefly. Prince is in awe of Princess' beauty and singing voice. Princess is in awe of Prince's beauty and masculine sword-wielding ability (or something like that). They have a love at first sight moment and pine after one another. This is one tale where there is no love at first sight. Belle initially despises the Beast (and he doesn't seem too fond of her, either). Yet as they begin to get to know one another, they grow to love each other. And that is a beautiful love story.

If you're interested in a little bit of fun, here's some advice to girls from a cartoon princess (Belle).