In 1937 when Walt Disney released his first movie Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, a completely new era of language acquisition started. The former fairy tales were turned into movies and instead of old complicated language, easier and child friendly language was established. The former, sometimes brutal, fairy tales were changed to convey a different message, the core of the story often stayed the same but the plot around the central issue was changed. The same is true for Beauty and the Beast. By supporting his films with music and accents, Walt Disney invented a new kind of storytelling.
By answering the questions: How do Disney and the fairy tale present the female main character? Is it easier for children to understand the character traits of a person by only hearing about them or by simultaneously seeing the character act? Which cultural representations can be found in movie and fairy tale and what influence do they have on the language of the main character? Which kinds of stereotypes appear and how are they presented? Is the presentation of Bella in the fairy tale still current today or is it too old-fashioned? I will compare the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast (La Belle et la Bête) of 1740 by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot, Dame de Villeneuve, with the same-titled movie by Walt Disney.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Comparison of movie and fairy tale
- Presentation of the female main character
- How do the other characters interact with Belle in the movie
- How do the other characters interact with Bella in the fairy tale
- French (and other frailties)
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper compares the portrayal of Belle in Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve's 1740 fairy tale, "Beauty and the Beast," with her depiction in Disney's 1991 film adaptation. The analysis focuses on how language, cultural representations, and stereotypes shape the character's presentation and influence audience understanding.
- The evolution of language and storytelling in fairy tales and their cinematic adaptations.
- Cultural representations and stereotypes present in both the fairy tale and the Disney film.
- The presentation of the female protagonist (Belle/Bella) in both versions.
- The impact of visual and auditory elements (e.g., music, accents) in shaping character perception.
- The comparison of the social and cultural contexts of the original fairy tale and the Disney film.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the comparative analysis of the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast" and its Disney film adaptation. It establishes the premise that language actively shapes and reflects society, highlighting the transformations fairy tales undergo across different cultural and historical contexts. The introduction emphasizes the impact of the Brothers Grimm's work on German identity and the shift in language and storytelling brought about by Disney's film adaptations. The author outlines the research questions guiding the analysis, focusing on the presentation of the female protagonist, the understanding of character traits through different media, cultural representations and their linguistic influence, and the presence and portrayal of stereotypes. The central argument is that Disney's version is more stereotyping and presents Belle as an emancipated woman, contrasting with the fairy tale's portrayal of Bella as primarily a homemaker.
Comparison of text and film passages: This chapter begins by comparing the opening lines of the fairy tale and the Disney film, highlighting subtle yet significant linguistic differences that reflect the passage of time and cultural shifts. The analysis then shifts to a contrast between the portrayal of the family background in each version. The fairy tale establishes a bourgeois setting with a detailed account of the family's economic downfall and its social consequences. The author links this to the characteristically archaic language often found in fairy tales, associating it with the creation of a mystical atmosphere and the engagement of the reader's imagination. In contrast, the Disney movie opens with a focus on magic and witchcraft, setting a different tone and establishing an alternative narrative framework. The chapter then incorporates the arguments of Jerome Bruner and Puigderajols, emphasizing the role of fairy tales as both cultural documents and unreliable narratives that reflect and shape societal values.
Presentation of the female main character: This section delves into a comparative analysis of Belle/Bella's presentation in both the fairy tale and the movie. The fairy tale immediately characterizes Bella through her hardworking nature in the family's new, impoverished circumstances, linking this to the common experiences of the population at that time. The author discusses the role of wish fulfillment and the exploration of the unknown in fairy tales, using the theories of Puigderajols and Bruner to contextualize the narrative elements. The chapter further suggests that the lack of complaint from Bella despite the harsh conditions is a significant character trait, highlighting the contrast with the typical expectations of the time. This section lays the foundation for the comparison of Bella's character arc with Belle's in the Disney film adaptation.
Keywords
Fairy tales, Disney, Beauty and the Beast, language, cultural representation, stereotypes, gender roles, film adaptation, linguistic analysis, social context, character portrayal, narrative structure.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of "Beauty and the Beast"
What is the main topic of this paper?
This paper compares the portrayal of Belle in Disney's 1991 film adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast" with her depiction in Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve's 1740 fairy tale. The analysis focuses on how language, cultural representations, and stereotypes shape the character's presentation and influence audience understanding.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The analysis explores the evolution of language and storytelling in fairy tales and their cinematic adaptations; cultural representations and stereotypes in both versions; the presentation of the female protagonist (Belle/Bella); the impact of visual and auditory elements (music, accents); and a comparison of the social and cultural contexts of the original fairy tale and the Disney film.
What are the main chapters covered in the paper?
The paper includes an introduction, a chapter comparing the movie and fairy tale (focusing on character interactions and presentations), a chapter discussing French cultural influences and potential biases, and a conclusion. The comparison chapter is further broken down into sections analyzing the presentation of the female main character and the differences in how the family backgrounds are portrayed.
How does the paper compare the fairy tale and the Disney film?
The paper compares the two versions by analyzing the language used, the cultural context of each version, and the presentation of the main character, Belle/Bella. It highlights the differences in character motivations, narrative structure, and the overall message conveyed by each version. The introduction argues that the Disney version is more stereotyping and presents Belle as an emancipated woman contrasting with the fairy tale’s portrayal of Bella primarily as a homemaker.
What specific aspects of language are analyzed?
The analysis examines the linguistic differences between the fairy tale and the film, highlighting how subtle changes in language reflect the passage of time and cultural shifts. It explores how language shapes and reflects societal values and how the choice of language contributes to the creation of specific atmospheres and narrative frameworks.
What theoretical frameworks are used in the analysis?
The analysis draws upon the theories of Jerome Bruner and Puigderajols, who emphasize the role of fairy tales as both cultural documents and unreliable narratives that reflect and shape societal values. Their perspectives are used to contextualize the narrative elements and character portrayals in both the fairy tale and the film adaptation.
What are the key findings or arguments presented in the paper?
A central argument is that Disney's version presents Belle as a more emancipated woman compared to the fairy tale's portrayal of Bella, who is presented as primarily focused on homemaking. The paper also analyzes how cultural representations and stereotypes influence the character's presentation and audience understanding across different media and historical contexts.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
Fairy tales, Disney, Beauty and the Beast, language, cultural representation, stereotypes, gender roles, film adaptation, linguistic analysis, social context, character portrayal, narrative structure.
What is the overall purpose of this analysis?
The analysis aims to provide a structured and professional examination of the themes and differences between the original fairy tale and its Disney adaptation, focusing on the impact of language, cultural context, and narrative techniques on the portrayal of the female protagonist and the overall story.
- Citation du texte
- Anna Winkelmann (Auteur), 2012, Disney vs. Fairy Tale: Representations of culture and stereotyping through language according to the main character in "Beauty and the Beast", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/207156
