The Beauty and the Beast is one of the most beloved fairy tales that has been retold time and time again by various media. For the longest time, the main character, the Beast, was seen as the villain. But as the tale progresses, we see him go through massive emotional growth and maturity. His lessons hold a valuable insight into how we can all learn from our mistakes and evolve as individuals.
Let’s take a look at some of the most beloved Disney characters and see how they relate to the story of Beauty and the Beast.
Simba from the Lion King goes through a similar transformation. As a young cub, he is carefree and naive. He has no clue about the dangers of the world and simply wants to have fun. But as he grows older, he sees the error of his ways and becomes the leader that his pride and his father would be proud of.
In an exchange with his mentor, Rafiki, Simba learns his lesson:
Rafiki: Look, Simba. Everything the light touches is our kingdom.
Simba: Wow.
Rafiki: A king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with you as the new king.
Simba: And this’ll all be mine?
Rafiki: Everything.
Simba: Everything the light touches… What about that shadowy place?
Rafiki: That’s beyond our borders. You must never go there, Simba.
Simba: But I thought a king can do whatever he wants.
Rafiki: Oh, there’s more to being king than getting your way all the time.
Simba: There’s more?
Rafiki: Ha… Simba… Simba… Let me tell you something that my father told me. Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars.
Simba: Really?
Rafiki: Yes. So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you. And so will I.
Through this conversation with Rafiki, Simba learns that being a king isn’t about having everything his way. In fact, it’s about responsibility and looking out for your people as well. Simba transforms from a naive cub to a true leader and all-around good lion.
Another character who goes through emotional growth is Elsa from Frozen. At first, she is insecure, scared, and overwhelmed. She fears that her powers could do great harm to the people she loves and keeps herself isolated. But through the challenges she faces and the love of her sister, she learns that her powers come from a place of love and that it’s okay to be who she is.
In an exchange with her sister Anna, Elsa learns her lesson:
Elsa: It’s not nice to throw people out of windows!
Anna: Really? Feels like the right thing to do.
Elsa: Yeah? The thing is, I’m…I’m not the…the hero type. Clearly. And I don’t have a magic act.
Anna: Hey, hey, don’t worry about that. You can be whoever you want to be.
Elsa: I can?
Anna: Yeah. Yes, you can.
Elsa: I’m never going back. The past is in the past.
Through this conversation with Anna, Elsa learns that she doesn’t have to be perfect or conform to others’ expectations. She can be who she is and that’s good enough.
In conclusion, the lessons that Beauty and the Beast offers us are invaluable. We all make mistakes, but it’s what we do with those mistakes that shape us as people. Emotional growth and maturity come from acknowledging our faults and actively working towards self-improvement. So let us learn from the characters we grew up with and become the best version of ourselves we can be.
Beauty and the Beast teaches us about emotional growth and maturity. Disney characters like Simba and Elsa also go through similar transformations and learn valuable lessons about responsibility and accepting oneself. We should learn from these characters and actively work towards self-improvement.
“True beauty is found within.” – Unknown
