Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Seasons in Beauty and the Beast


This winter was extra cold in the American Midwest, so the changing of the seasons is even more welcome than usual. In fact, multiple season changes is an aspect of the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast", and the seasons are symbolic, according to Betsy Hearne in Beauty and the Beast: Visions and Revisions of an Old Tale.

Edmund Dulac

"The seasonal cycle is either signified or fully developed in every version of "Beauty and the Beast." The merchant sets out in reasonable weather, but his trip carries him into winter-the winter of his old age and to some extent, defeat. His is unable to recoup his losses or satisfy Beauty's request for a summer rose." (emphasis mine)
Marianna Mayer

"Lost in a snow-storm, he finds the Beast's palace surrounded by summer, the proper age for courtship. Before Beauty makes her decision to return to the Beast's palace, the Beast's world begins to die with him and turn to winter." Then, of course, the happy ending is always associated with spring. Just as spring is the time when barren branches bloom, seeds turn into flowers, and caterpillars will begin their metamorphosis into butterflies, the Beast's transformation is echoed by the season of growth and renewal.
Angela Barrett








4 comments:

  1. I have a very vague memory of vivid seasonal descriptions from the original two writings as well - especially where all the fairies are involved - but that could also be my imagination. Makes for some interesting 'shading' on the events if you look at the metaphors of flowers blooming and love too. Got to love all the eye candy here today!

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    1. Descriptions of seasons aren't something I necessarily remember jumping out at me from the French versions, although it's very possible I didn't notice them (especially Villeneuve, which is very descriptive overall). But one of the significant things about the seasonal changes, at least for me, was always simply the fact that it shows time passing as they fall in love, not simply love at first sight!

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  2. It is significant that Beast's roses are blooming so prodigiously in the dead of winter, a symbol of the magical forces lurking within his walls. (Love the Angela Barrett illustration of a battlement of roses standing guard outside the palace!) And that the Spring thaw signifies transformation. There's so much going on in this tale; that's why we love it so much!

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    1. Yes, and some of the best retellings of BATB (such as Robin McKinley's) play around with the seasons theme even more, and the significance of the Beast's roses/his magic! And I never even thought of those trees being the rose trees or setting up a battlement around the castle...I love Angela Barrett's illustrations!

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