Beauty and the Beast: 20th Century Romance?

Publication year
1989
Journal
Merveilles & contes
Volume
3.1
Pages
75–83
Comment

There have been several 20th century literary versions of the tale that closely follow the original, but they divide into two categories: those set in a magical reality, dwelling on the opulence of the palace, and focusing on the Beast's physical transformation; and those set in the modern world, keeping the original pattern of motifs, but inserting contemporary values, and focusing on the Beast's emotional transformation. (75)

In the traditional tale and in the 20th century versions that emphasize the romance of the magic Beauty does not need to "tame" the Beast. The length of his enchantment seems to have done its work, and the Beast when Beauty meets him has his courtly side along with his beast nature. (81)