Charles Perrault: Getting Closer

       Throughout these last couple of blogs we can see how the story-line is evolving over time. There seems to be a blending of stories as the years past, drawing on the notions of beastly husbands and the story basis of Cupid and Psyche. Greek mythology was the foundation upon which these many versions were based, creating rich layers to this delicious cake we call Beauty and the Beast.

        In 1697 we see another version published by the French author Charles Perrault. Much like the Brothers Grimm and Straparola, Perrault also took common folktales of the beauty and wrote them down into "fairytales." In this version of the story we can see the very direct parallel to notion we have today in Disney.

"Beauty and the Beast"
 Perrault, Charles, 1628-1703; McLoughlin Bros., inc.

        There once was a wealthy merchant with three daughters. While all three of the daughters were beautiful and lovely, it was the youngest who stood out to such an extent that everyone simply referred to her as "Beauty" and stood above her selfish sister's in virtue.
         
        Misfortune struck the family, however, when the merchant ships in the father's possession were lost at see, his warehouses burned, and his partners in business shown to be dishonest and sticky-fingered. The family lost everything and were forced to give up their life of luxury to live in a small cottage with a meager farm. The elder two sisters lamented this change Beauty, on the other hand, while also saddened by the change of events, put on a cheerful appearance and made do with what they had. This maddened her sisters to see her act in such a well-mannered and happy way, as this touched their father greatly to see Beauty be so understanding of the new way of life. In her he found comfort.
        
       For over a year the small family lived this way until news came to the cottage. A ship of the father's, thought lost, had arrived at port and waited for him to claim it. Before he left, he asked each of his daughters what gift they would like to receive when he returned. The two elder sisters asked for rich trinkets and clothes while Beauty simply asked for a safe journey and return and a single rose. Quickly he rode off to gather what money he could salvage, but when he arrived a shoddy business partners had sold the cargo of the ship and divided up the money. With great sorrow he left with little more than he had arrived back to his family.

      To the father's dismay, he became lost on his way home and stumbled upon a beautiful estate and spied a rose. He plucked it as the only gift he could return home with. In terror he peered up to find a hideous ape-like beast before him, who sentenced him to death for stealing his rose. The father pleaded with the Beast, explaining it was a gift for his daughter. Upon hearing this, the Beast told him that he would spare his life if one of his daughters would come to live with him of her own accord.

      The father arrived home and told the daughters of what had taken place. Beauty immediately agreed to the Beast's condition, placing the blame upon herself due to her desired gift. After convincing her father, Beauty rode for the Beast's castle. She and her father spent the night and in the morning bade her him farewell. Beauty wept bitterly after her father's departure, but was comforted by the calm, disembodied voice of the Beast. Beauty took to exploring the large living quarters of her new home by day. In the evening she was served marvelous food by invisible servants and was kept company for dinner by the voice of the Beast.

      Over time, however, she grew lonely, as she could not see anyone. She requested to see the Beast and those who served her. The Beast was hesitant but agreed, saying the servants would appear visible the next day. Later that day, as promised, the Beast revealed his true nature to her.

     Beauty grew homesick, after weeks of living with the Beast and wished to see her family. The Beast gave her a mirror in which she could see what had become of her family and it revealed her father had fallen ill from despair. Beauty begged the Beast allow her to come her father's side. The Beast proposed marriage to the girl, but she refused as she claimed that she did not love him in that way. Reluctantly he let her go, requesting she be back in a week, lest he die without her. He provided her a ring with which to magically appear back at the estate when she was ready. Gathering gifts for her sisters, Beauty traveled home.

      Upon seeing his youngest daughter the father regained his health, but Beauty could not bear to tell her family that she was to return to the Beast. In fact, she stayed home for weeks until she had a dream in which she found the Beast dying. It was then that she resigned to return to him the next day. When she returned the Beast was no where to be found. In dismay, she remembered her dream and ran to the spot in the garden where she dreamt him dead. Lo and behold, there he lay dying. 

      With heavy eyes, he breathed he could die in peace knowing she was there. Beauty begged him to live, saying she would marry him if he did. That moment light illuminated the estate and music began to play. In front of her stood a handsome prince. An evil fairy had cast a spell upon him and all in his estate, he explained, until a lady loved him enough to marry him. A good fairy had been keeping watch over him and his servants and blessed the couple with their new marriage, knowing Beauty would be a fair and kind queen. The couple was married shortly there after and the father and sisters came to live with them where they all lived quite happily ever after. 

"Beauty and the Beast"
 Perrault, Charles, 1628-1703; McLoughlin Bros., inc.

Word Count: 1,015

References:

"Beauty and the Beast" by  Perrault, Charles, 1628-1703; McLoughlin Bros., inc.