The 1991 "Beauty and the Beast" movie has been considered a Disney gem for some time, and not just because of the theatrical performances and stunning cinematography. Walt Disney's company has released plenty of princesses who are strong, independent women, (which I love) but no one could top Belle. I may be biased, after all it IS my favorite Disney movie, but evidence is abundant when it comes to proving she's the best role model for young girls.
1. She's a bookworm.
Even though Gaston may think it's "not right for a woman to read," this chick thinks it's pretty important. In her small town, it seems to be the only way she'll experience adventure-- that is, until she meets the Beast! Reading has been proven to heighten your imagination and cultivate creativity. So the next time you're in a library, crack open a book and embrace your inner 'Belle.'
2. She wants SO much more than this provincial life!
Belle is what I call a "moving Princess." She's not content with staying where she is--she wants to explore, experience and discover. That's one of the things I love about her. She's modest and somewhat shy, like me, but she still has aspirations and places she wants to be in life. Being a bookish introvert doesn't mean you don't have an adventurous side, no matter what media or stereotypes tell you!
3. She sings in public and has no qualms about it.
Remember that opening scene where Belle spends her morning frolicking around town singing while on her way to the bookshop? ICONIC. Oh, how I wish I could burst into song without the awkward stares of my peers. A girl can dream, right?
4. She's independent.
It is my belief that every little girl should be raised knowing she "don't need no man," as my mother always phrased it. Trust me, it's much easier to be an independent adult if you've been taught that since childhood. Being independent doesn't mean that you can handle everything that comes your way alone, but it does mean that you're original and you don't have to rely on any other person to give you life or purpose-- that's yours to discover.
5. She doesn't let stereotypes cloud her judgement.
The girl falls in love with a "beast," need I say more? Personally, I think he has eyes too gorgeous to be in full beast-mode, (no pun intended) but I do have to admit he was pretty nasty to begin with. Belle didn't let this stop her, however. She still showed kindness to the Beast, sass added when necessary and he was changed for the better. As they say in fairytale-land, they lived "happily ever after."
6. She's kindhearted but certainly NOT a pushover.
Belle shows her sassy side plenty with the Beast, but it makes me laugh even more with Gaston. He's just so oblivious to the fact that she practically hates him! The amount of sass and witty humor in this Disney movie makes it my favorite. She can appreciate wit and dry humor because that literally IS her!
7. She's genuine and caring.
Even though most of the folks in her small town think of her as an odd sort of girl, Belle is extremely genuine. She says what she thinks and you know she's not sugarcoating or faking anything. After the Beast is injured protecting her from a hungry bunch of wolves, she tends to his wounds and is very caring. We could use more caring, genuine people like her in our crazy world.
8. She's family-oriented.
Not only is she super close with her father, Maurice, she also becomes fond of the castle staff like Mrs. Potts and Chip. I LOVE Chip and how he and Belle instantly take a liking to each other. It makes me really curious to see what she'd be like as a mom. Is that just me? While not every woman has to have children, they still have family of some kind and it's important to remember them. Family is where the heart is, after all.
