Belle has always been my favorite princess, and I’m proud to admit that in light of this series. Belle is the ultimate feminist icon and it’s hard to find any tragic in her. When you Chip away at who Belle really is, you reveal bold characteristics. Belle is intelligent – independent – curious- adventurous – brave – compassionate – selfless

These qualities are true in the beginning when we meet a young girl who dreams of adventure in a town that loves its routine, and throughout the film as she faces numerous monsters. Belle’s longing for something new makes her odd, yet she never changes herself to adhere to their mold.

While having qualities we should just admire, Belle also directly opposes a sexist and male dominated community, which is the main cause of her oddness. Her internal drive to remain true to herself and demand to be treated with respect is the feminist agenda working directly against the male agenda of Gaston, a character that stomps around and demands whatever he wants because he is the strongest male and controls the town with fear and brut force. Belle’s natural resistance and admirable qualities create a feminist hero for thousands of little girls.

Belle is so admired because she is not fighting Gaston or leading a resistance – she simply knows what she wants and values and stays true to that. She refuses to give into a society and man that want to force her into a role she doesn’t want.

She remains kind while also strongly opposing Gaston and his sexist agenda.

Belle chooses to value the inner beauty of a person, which is why she falls in love with the Beast and runs away from Gaston. Belle is drawn to people, or animated objects, that share her values and respect her choices. They never force her to love the Beast but still treat her with kindness knowing the unlikelihood of her fixing anything.

And the Beast himself, willing to be changed, responds to Belle’s steadfastness and boldness. Belle knows what she wants, never backs down, and yet treats people with kindness. She shares her knowledge and fights for the people she loves.

Belle rejects a sexist agenda in every single action and even further does so with kindness.

Belle refuses to be considered less but never demands it. She searches for a place of equality and acceptance but trades that to save her father. She values others above self, and though it gets her locked away, she never sacrifices her morals. She saves herself by refusing to be treated as less and therefore saves her prince as well.

Be true to your values. Don’t accept being treated as less than anyone else. Treat people with respect, even if they are different from you and even if they are a teacup. Be kind, keeping learning, keep seeking adventure in the great wide somewhere. Remember beauty is found within and that knowing your own beauty will inspire others.