Reimagining Feminism in Beauty and the Beast: A Critical Analysis of Gender Roles and Power Dynamics

Authors

  • Grania Sharenlie MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
  • Pei Yi Cai MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
  • Febrina Stevani Djohan MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
  • Gabrielle Angela Chang MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
  • Michaella Isabel Surya MAKARIOS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Keywords:

Gender roles, appearance, transformation, societal expectation, power relation

Abstract

This research examines Vera Southgate “Beauty and The Beast” through the lenses of Feminist literary criticism. Focusing on how the story adresses traditional gender roles and transformation. Using Simone de Beauvoir to explore the role of women in society. As a result: 1) The narrative suppresses conventional evaluations by shifting focus from physical appearance to inner virtue and emotional transformation. Beast’s appearance does not fit societal expectations. It makes society, Beauty, does not accept the Beast by his physical appearance. 2) Traditional gender roles are actively imposed, marginalizing female agency and reinforcing patriarchal norms. The traditional gender roles between women and men in society are shown in this literature, where men are more dominant and providers while women are caretakers and submissive. 3) The interrelationship of power between characters illustrates a dialectical relationship in which dependence and autonomy are continuously renegotiated. True love is not based on physical appearance, but it is from the kindness from the heart. It can make a big transformation when someone finds their true love. This analysis is significant for its contribution to feminist literary criticism, as it illustrates the dual capacity of literature to both reinforce and challenge societal structures. It is expected that these insights will stimulate further research into the transformative potential of narrative in reshaping gender identities and power relations.

References

Banks, M. (2021). De Beaumont's Beauty and the Beast: A feminist analysis. Literator, 42(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.4102/lit.v42i1.1713

Bordo, S. (1993). Unbearable weight: Feminism, Western culture, and the body. University of California Press.

de Beauvoir, S. (1949). The second sex (H. M. Parshley, Trans.). Vintage Books.

de Beaumont, J.-M. L. (1756). Beauty and the Beast [Original work published 1756].

Freud, S. (1930). Civilization and its discontents. Hogarth Press.

Freud, S. (1961). Beyond the pleasure principle (J. Strachey, Ed. & Trans., Vol. 18, Standard Edition). Hogarth Press.

Freud, S. (1900). The interpretation of dreams. Basic Books.

Southgate, V. (2006). Beauty and the Beast. Ladybird Books.

Tong, R. (2009). Feminist thought: A more comprehensive introduction. Westview Press.

Métraux, J. (2022). Children's fairy tales and feminine beauty. JSTOR Daily. Retrieved from https://daily.jstor.org/childrens-fairy-tales-and-feminine-beauty/

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Published

2025-02-28

How to Cite

Sharenlie, G., Cai, P. Y., Djohan, F. S., Chang, G. A., & Surya, M. I. (2025). Reimagining Feminism in Beauty and the Beast: A Critical Analysis of Gender Roles and Power Dynamics. Boanerges: Makarios Education Journal, 2(2), 117–129. Retrieved from https://streamfly.tech/index.php/boanerges/article/view/29

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): BOANERGES

Section

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