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Beauty and the Beast
Details:
Title: Beauty and the Beast
Authors: Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm
Publisher: White Star
Publication Date: 2013
ISBN: 9788854408593
Genre: Fairy tale, children's literature
Summary:
Beauty and the Beast is a classic fairy tale that tells the story of a young woman and a cursed prince. Here is a detailed summary:
Characters:
Beauty (Belle): A kind and beautiful young woman who is the youngest daughter of a merchant.
The Beast: A prince who has been transformed into a beast due to a curse and must learn to love and be loved in return to break the spell.
The Merchant: Beauty’s father, who falls into misfortune and accidentally discovers the Beast’s castle.
Beauty’s Sisters: Often portrayed as selfish and jealous, in contrast to Beauty's virtue.
Plot:
The Merchant’s Fortune and Loss:
A wealthy merchant loses his fortune and is forced to live in a small cottage with his three daughters. One day, he hears that one of his ships has arrived in port and goes to retrieve the goods, but finds that his cargo has been seized.
The Beast’s Castle:
On his way back, the merchant gets lost in a forest and stumbles upon a magnificent castle. He finds food and shelter there but angers the Beast when he picks a rose for Beauty. The Beast demands that the merchant send one of his daughters to live with him as punishment.
Beauty’s Sacrifice:
Beauty volunteers to go to the Beast’s castle in her father’s place. Despite her initial fear, she is treated kindly by the Beast and they develop a deep friendship.
Beauty’s Return Home:
Beauty begins to miss her family and asks the Beast for permission to visit them. The Beast agrees but warns her that he will die of grief if she does not return.
The Transformation:
Beauty returns home but is delayed by her sisters' jealousy. She eventually returns to the Beast, finding him near death. She professes her love for him, which breaks the curse and transforms the Beast back into a handsome prince.
Happily Ever After:
Beauty and the prince marry and live happily ever after, with Beauty's family coming to live with them in the castle.
Moral Lessons:
Inner Beauty: The story emphasizes that true beauty comes from within and that love and kindness are more important than physical appearance.
Sacrifice and Loyalty: Beauty’s willingness to sacrifice herself for her father and her loyalty to the Beast are central themes.
Notable Points:
Cultural Impact: Beauty and the Beast is a timeless story that has been adapted into numerous books, films, and stage productions.
Themes: The story explores themes of transformation, redemption, and the power of love.
Variants: There are many versions of this tale, with the most famous literary version written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in 1740, and later abridged and rewritten by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont in 1756.
This hardcover edition of Beauty and the Beast by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, published by White Star, offers a beautifully illustrated and engaging rendition of this beloved fairy tale.
| 02491 | 398.2 GRI b | Library | Currently On Loan (Due on2026-04-22) |
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