The film reinforces gender roles but depicts them in a more nuanced manner than many of the films preceding it. Gaston and the 3 blondes are the rigid and narrow views of masculinity and feminity that are satirized while Belle and the Beast and the complex versions that are lauded. However, in spite of its progressive elements, Disney does not radically challenge ideas of gender. Belle and Beast don't challenge gender roles but simply find new ways to exist within then.
The film reinforces gender roles but depicts them in a more nuanced manner than many of the films preceding it. Gaston and the 3 blondes are the rigid and narrow views of masculinity and feminity that are satirized while Belle and the Beast and the complex versions that are lauded. However, in spite of its progressive elements, Disney does not radically challenge ideas of gender. Belle and Beast don't challenge gender roles but simply find new ways to exist within then.
Meanwhile, the Beast is only able to win over Belle by developing kindness, compassion, and mercy. By the end of the film, Gaston has become his dark mirror and is villified for not tempering his masculine traits with traditionally feminine ones as the Beast has. The Beast is stronger and more masculine than Gaston but only saves himself by learning not to rely on them but to treat others with respect and as equals.
In terms of gender, the film depicts men and women in traditional gender roles but depicts those roles with more complexity than usual. Belle is an intellectual and contrasted with the 3 village girls who do nothing but swoon over Gaston, making her seem more virtuous and the girls' attitude silly for centering their lives around a man. Belle is also free to determine her own romantic destiny and seeks out a partner who treats her as an equal.
@Angie2343 I presume you mean "If said girls fawned over a guy from modern times?" My answer is that I don't know. The girls are obviously caricatures and unlikely to exist in real life. I'm not sure what the point of your question is.
The film's depiction of women is more problematic. Belle is depicted as intellectual and confident but she is only independent with respect to her choice of husband. In the film, she acts as a caregiver to her father and then to the beast and so fits comfortably into traditional gender roles. She does demand respect and equality within her romantic relationships and she and the Beast interact as intellectual equals throughout the film, so she is somewhat progressive.
Gaston clearly satirizes traditional masculine behavior, especially traditional male attitudes towards women who see them as servants/concubines. The beast embodies some of these tropes as well. At the start of the film his behavior is aggressive masculinity at its worst. It is only when he balances the masculine aspects of his personality with more traditionally feminine ones (kindness, compassion, etc) that he is able to win over Belle. A healthy message for boys I think.
The begining scene of this movie is a wonderfully presented satire, shown in the vid here, and it is refreshing of Disney to take this view and show kids that sometimes, you look more like a fool than a hero when you pretend your something your not. Belle here is cleary the heroine, as she looks for something that is much more rare and permanent than physical attractiveness. Beast, not Gaston, is the one who understands her. I wonder though if its wise in the real world to stay with a beast?
i really do like this video and it clearly shows what its saying only that it does show the typical male who suppose to be the opposite of what he is if not no woman will want him
Anyone figure out why he has a quiver full of arrows if he actually uses that Blunderbuss style rifle?
I'm far less concerned with judging how a movie is using gender roles. If it's enforcing stereotypes, that's wonderful. It's historically accurate. If it's breaking them, that's also wonderful. It's being forward thinking.
Hate to tell you people, but this type of stereotype exists even today. Personally I think it's sad that there are WOMAN that support this type of behavior from men just because the fear of being alone. Being a single, confident and a self-sufficient woman is not accepted by our society. It's better if a woman is a brainless staying home wife just as long she has a man by her side, regardless if this "man" a nuisance to her and society. It's all about gender.
I always thought Girls had it made: free sex, free food, free family, free love, free time, and free everything being a housewife; while the man does all the work to provide.
I am a man and I believe that girls have made being a housewife. I would love it being a Househusband if there was woman who would do all the work and I get free everything! Fck yeah I have it made!
But sadly, most women who are rich and beautiful do not look for househusbands, they look for rich handsome men! lol
ok that almost looks like a rape comeing on bye the way he pushes away the chair and walks to her all head held high and chest poufed out as far as it can go at 3:21
Is it possible to enjoy any movie nowadays without having to deconstruct it to find out if it would emotionally harm the audience or be found to be incorrect?
Okay, you guys are missing the point of the movie here.
Belle only stayed with the Beast to save her father, and when he came close to abusing her in the West Wing, she LEFT. She only came back because he saved her life. She NEVER actually tried to change him herself. HE reformed for HER, and only THEN did she look back.
Moral? Don't tolerate abuse. I think that's a pretty good moral, no?
Seeing all Gaston did to Belle, I know why she didn't choose him.
I think this film shows that Belle lives in the machist town ( represented by Gaston ), then she manages to escape it when she finds the Beast ( who is in fact kind-hearted )who acknowledges her and loves the way she is.
The real problem with this film isn't the character of Gaston, who is obviously intended to be the antagonist. The problem lies in the titular Beast. If the creators of the film had stopped short of having the Best be outright abusive (and easily forgiven for it), the film's message would have been less politically incorrect.
I agree that this movie gives the wrong message to children. The emphasis on Bell's physical beauty is suppose to be o.k. because she has a beautiful character to match and values the beast despite his grotesqueness. But I think it does teach girls that they can change a beast of a man and make him their prince. We already have this tendency as woman, and it's not a good tendency to reinforce. We should marry someone expecting them not to change and appreciating them if they change.
Now that I'm older, I realize Belle never got what she wanted: "adventure in the great wide somewhere." It seemed she wanted to explore the world. Instead, she became a princess and there is no indication that she went on adventures afterward. It seems like she just ended up staying in that castle. I love Belle as a character. She is brave and intelligent. I still like the movie, but in the end, Belle's dream never came true and it upsets me.
@fanime1 maybe it doesn't matter if the adventure is in "great wide somewhere", because she has adventures. well, how much of us actualy met talking furniture and a beast?
but i see what you're coming. it's like nomal life "eat" her dreams. maybe she didn't need this dream after this. i'm not pretty sure if this is bad or good.
well, let's have hope that she ge what she wanted, somewhere off-panel (and i mean adventures and loving man) and we all can have this too :)
Take a closer look... The typical macho male here is satirized not idealised. When he says that women shouldn't read, we're not supposed to take him seriously. We empathise with Belle and see her behaviour as positive. She is presented as a more independent woman (compared to the others in the town) who is not content to be the "little wife" of a handsome and masculine man. Rather, she wants someone who "understands" her. There are also some negative stereotypes, but it's not black and white.
Also this film has a lot to say about abusive relationships. Beasts yells at Belle many times, isolates her from her family. Yet his behaviour is constructed as having a bad temper so Belle stays with him and helps him control his temper bringing out Prince Charming in him.
It sends a message to young girls that you too can bring out a Prince Charming in a man that "has a bad temper" all you need to do is be patient and kind and he'll come around.
...OR girls should know this: Usually, all men (and women) are content and happy if they have the following two things: 1st is a satisfied stomach and 2nd is a satisfied sex life.
Anyone else who has anger problems most likely has them because they lack one of the following two things i just mentioned, now thats the TRUTH.
@MizzDiamonds Gaston epitomizes the modern male in that he wants to turn the protagonist (Belle) into something he doesn't want (The triplets) that is, from intelligent and willful to obedient and doting.
We always want what we don't have. Even if it means changing what we want into something we don't.
@MizzDiamonds She doesn't actually do anything to change him- he changes FOR her. The beast actually goes out of his way to impress her on several occasions (the library, the spoon, the birds, he dresses better, etc.). In the beginning when he yells at her, she doesn't cave, she yells right back... or runs away.
When she does finally go home, she doesn't look like she has any plans to return. Then the angry mob shows up... (this is just my opinion, and you're welcome to yours)
@MizzDiamonds That is a very old argument, and really you should be complaining about Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve's 1740 publication and not Disney. On the other hand, what does it teach boys? Beast was miserable and lonely due to his bad temper and we see him completely incapable of enjoying anything due to his bravado. This is an angle seldom seen in fairy tales.
"That's her.. the most beautiful girl in town. That makes her the best.. don't I deserve the best..?" -- What a lovely lesson we should be teaching our children. Ugh.
The film reinforces gender roles but depicts them in a more nuanced manner than many of the films preceding it. Gaston and the 3 blondes are the rigid and narrow views of masculinity and feminity that are satirized while Belle and the Beast and the complex versions that are lauded. However, in spite of its progressive elements, Disney does not radically challenge ideas of gender. Belle and Beast don't challenge gender roles but simply find new ways to exist within then.
lewisejackson 1 week ago
The film reinforces gender roles but depicts them in a more nuanced manner than many of the films preceding it. Gaston and the 3 blondes are the rigid and narrow views of masculinity and feminity that are satirized while Belle and the Beast and the complex versions that are lauded. However, in spite of its progressive elements, Disney does not radically challenge ideas of gender. Belle and Beast don't challenge gender roles but simply find new ways to exist within then.
lewisejackson 1 week ago
Meanwhile, the Beast is only able to win over Belle by developing kindness, compassion, and mercy. By the end of the film, Gaston has become his dark mirror and is villified for not tempering his masculine traits with traditionally feminine ones as the Beast has. The Beast is stronger and more masculine than Gaston but only saves himself by learning not to rely on them but to treat others with respect and as equals.
lewisejackson 1 week ago
In terms of gender, the film depicts men and women in traditional gender roles but depicts those roles with more complexity than usual. Belle is an intellectual and contrasted with the 3 village girls who do nothing but swoon over Gaston, making her seem more virtuous and the girls' attitude silly for centering their lives around a man. Belle is also free to determine her own romantic destiny and seeks out a partner who treats her as an equal.
lewisejackson 1 week ago
@lewisejackson Hey, how would you feel is said girls fawned over a guy from the modern times?
Angie2343 1 day ago
@Angie2343 I presume you mean "If said girls fawned over a guy from modern times?" My answer is that I don't know. The girls are obviously caricatures and unlikely to exist in real life. I'm not sure what the point of your question is.
lewisejackson 1 day ago
The film's depiction of women is more problematic. Belle is depicted as intellectual and confident but she is only independent with respect to her choice of husband. In the film, she acts as a caregiver to her father and then to the beast and so fits comfortably into traditional gender roles. She does demand respect and equality within her romantic relationships and she and the Beast interact as intellectual equals throughout the film, so she is somewhat progressive.
lewisejackson 1 week ago
Gaston clearly satirizes traditional masculine behavior, especially traditional male attitudes towards women who see them as servants/concubines. The beast embodies some of these tropes as well. At the start of the film his behavior is aggressive masculinity at its worst. It is only when he balances the masculine aspects of his personality with more traditionally feminine ones (kindness, compassion, etc) that he is able to win over Belle. A healthy message for boys I think.
lewisejackson 1 week ago
The begining scene of this movie is a wonderfully presented satire, shown in the vid here, and it is refreshing of Disney to take this view and show kids that sometimes, you look more like a fool than a hero when you pretend your something your not. Belle here is cleary the heroine, as she looks for something that is much more rare and permanent than physical attractiveness. Beast, not Gaston, is the one who understands her. I wonder though if its wise in the real world to stay with a beast?
freshfruit94 2 weeks ago
1. Satirizes.
2. Flexible. Clearly Gaston is a sexist a-hole.
Honeydew7396 1 month ago
i really do like this video and it clearly shows what its saying only that it does show the typical male who suppose to be the opposite of what he is if not no woman will want him
003975815 1 month ago
My school is doing Beauty and the Beast for our musical this year. My best friends play the Silly Girls:)
takakuroichi 1 month ago
Anyone figure out why he has a quiver full of arrows if he actually uses that Blunderbuss style rifle?
I'm far less concerned with judging how a movie is using gender roles. If it's enforcing stereotypes, that's wonderful. It's historically accurate. If it's breaking them, that's also wonderful. It's being forward thinking.
Justin6477 1 month ago
The silly girl in the red dress is cross-eyed. 1:40
jus400track 2 months ago
Hate to tell you people, but this type of stereotype exists even today. Personally I think it's sad that there are WOMAN that support this type of behavior from men just because the fear of being alone. Being a single, confident and a self-sufficient woman is not accepted by our society. It's better if a woman is a brainless staying home wife just as long she has a man by her side, regardless if this "man" a nuisance to her and society. It's all about gender.
blowmedrymf 2 months ago
I saw this video as a related video and since I'm on my iPod the channel name looked like "child media Anal"
bladudemovies 2 months ago
It could just be a cartoon.
Dante1126 2 months ago
I always thought Girls had it made: free sex, free food, free family, free love, free time, and free everything being a housewife; while the man does all the work to provide.
I am a man and I believe that girls have made being a housewife. I would love it being a Househusband if there was woman who would do all the work and I get free everything! Fck yeah I have it made!
But sadly, most women who are rich and beautiful do not look for househusbands, they look for rich handsome men! lol
PurePower025 3 months ago
ok that almost looks like a rape comeing on bye the way he pushes away the chair and walks to her all head held high and chest poufed out as far as it can go at 3:21
qwenaver 3 months ago
Is it possible to enjoy any movie nowadays without having to deconstruct it to find out if it would emotionally harm the audience or be found to be incorrect?
Pinkoni10 4 months ago
Okay, you guys are missing the point of the movie here.
Belle only stayed with the Beast to save her father, and when he came close to abusing her in the West Wing, she LEFT. She only came back because he saved her life. She NEVER actually tried to change him herself. HE reformed for HER, and only THEN did she look back.
Moral? Don't tolerate abuse. I think that's a pretty good moral, no?
alittletoocrazy101 4 months ago 8
Wow. Are you serious? Feminists like you give a bad name to feminists. You did not understand this movie...
ObscureFrivolity 4 months ago
Seeing all Gaston did to Belle, I know why she didn't choose him.
I think this film shows that Belle lives in the machist town ( represented by Gaston ), then she manages to escape it when she finds the Beast ( who is in fact kind-hearted )who acknowledges her and loves the way she is.
tinamalee 6 months ago 2
The real problem with this film isn't the character of Gaston, who is obviously intended to be the antagonist. The problem lies in the titular Beast. If the creators of the film had stopped short of having the Best be outright abusive (and easily forgiven for it), the film's message would have been less politically incorrect.
dark7element 6 months ago 3
I agree that this movie gives the wrong message to children. The emphasis on Bell's physical beauty is suppose to be o.k. because she has a beautiful character to match and values the beast despite his grotesqueness. But I think it does teach girls that they can change a beast of a man and make him their prince. We already have this tendency as woman, and it's not a good tendency to reinforce. We should marry someone expecting them not to change and appreciating them if they change.
heatherqt 6 months ago
Now that I'm older, I realize Belle never got what she wanted: "adventure in the great wide somewhere." It seemed she wanted to explore the world. Instead, she became a princess and there is no indication that she went on adventures afterward. It seems like she just ended up staying in that castle. I love Belle as a character. She is brave and intelligent. I still like the movie, but in the end, Belle's dream never came true and it upsets me.
fanime1 7 months ago
@fanime1 maybe it doesn't matter if the adventure is in "great wide somewhere", because she has adventures. well, how much of us actualy met talking furniture and a beast?
but i see what you're coming. it's like nomal life "eat" her dreams. maybe she didn't need this dream after this. i'm not pretty sure if this is bad or good.
well, let's have hope that she ge what she wanted, somewhere off-panel (and i mean adventures and loving man) and we all can have this too :)
Greetings
ololo518 3 months ago
you're really chasing shadows...
deemuun 7 months ago 2
Take a closer look... The typical macho male here is satirized not idealised. When he says that women shouldn't read, we're not supposed to take him seriously. We empathise with Belle and see her behaviour as positive. She is presented as a more independent woman (compared to the others in the town) who is not content to be the "little wife" of a handsome and masculine man. Rather, she wants someone who "understands" her. There are also some negative stereotypes, but it's not black and white.
sstonesful 10 months ago 54
@sstonesful but are kids old enough to understand this?
diva0099 9 months ago
@diva0099 why not? they like Belle and do not like Gaston. they don't have to know why.
i like this film, because of Belle and her character. strong character
ololo518 3 months ago
Also this film has a lot to say about abusive relationships. Beasts yells at Belle many times, isolates her from her family. Yet his behaviour is constructed as having a bad temper so Belle stays with him and helps him control his temper bringing out Prince Charming in him.
It sends a message to young girls that you too can bring out a Prince Charming in a man that "has a bad temper" all you need to do is be patient and kind and he'll come around.
MizzDiamonds 10 months ago 37
@MizzDiamonds
...OR girls should know this: Usually, all men (and women) are content and happy if they have the following two things: 1st is a satisfied stomach and 2nd is a satisfied sex life.
Anyone else who has anger problems most likely has them because they lack one of the following two things i just mentioned, now thats the TRUTH.
PurePower025 3 months ago
@MizzDiamonds Gaston epitomizes the modern male in that he wants to turn the protagonist (Belle) into something he doesn't want (The triplets) that is, from intelligent and willful to obedient and doting.
We always want what we don't have. Even if it means changing what we want into something we don't.
Rensune 2 months ago
@MizzDiamonds She doesn't actually do anything to change him- he changes FOR her. The beast actually goes out of his way to impress her on several occasions (the library, the spoon, the birds, he dresses better, etc.). In the beginning when he yells at her, she doesn't cave, she yells right back... or runs away.
When she does finally go home, she doesn't look like she has any plans to return. Then the angry mob shows up... (this is just my opinion, and you're welcome to yours)
Mishmash189 1 month ago 3
@MizzDiamonds That really depends on the man.
ReKidnames 1 month ago
@MizzDiamonds That is a very old argument, and really you should be complaining about Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve's 1740 publication and not Disney. On the other hand, what does it teach boys? Beast was miserable and lonely due to his bad temper and we see him completely incapable of enjoying anything due to his bravado. This is an angle seldom seen in fairy tales.
AserHapi 2 weeks ago
"That's her.. the most beautiful girl in town. That makes her the best.. don't I deserve the best..?" -- What a lovely lesson we should be teaching our children. Ugh.
MsTiberiius 11 months ago
This movie always disgusted me.. even when I was young. :|
MsTiberiius 11 months ago
"Soon she'll start getting ideas and thinking?" Sadly, this was one of my favorite movies as a child.
5chocolatedragon 11 months ago