Everything My Daughter Needs To Know She Can Learn From A Disney Princess - Belle

Belle is a somewhat lonely girl who lives in a village where she doesn't seem to fit in. She and her father are close. She has no mother (they never mention her mother) They are new to town. She does things differently than everyone else in town. We all know she likes to read - that is the thing people say about Belle - even though everyone else in her town does not (I can't quite figure out how the book shop manages to stay open since everyone seems to find reading so odd). Belle longs for a different life. A life of adventure and mystery. She wants more than a "provincial life." When life starts to take Belle in an extremely unexpected way she rolls with it. She follows the path set in front of her and with bravery and strength takes on a new roll. Once in the Beast's castle she is no wimpy prisoner. She may have promised to stay there but she did not promise to be nice! She refuses to eat or talk to the Beast. She is completely comfortable telling him when is wrong. She shows him better ways to act, to treat people and to feel. In the end she changes him. 

So, what can my daughter learn from Belle? They can learn that love is strong. Love will posses you to do crazy and selfless things. When Belle sees her father locked in that dungeon she knows that he will die there. She cannot bear to allow that and she takes his place. Her love for her father is so strong that what matters to her the most is that he be safe. Later in the movie she once again sees her father in trouble and rushes to save him. By then she is in love with the Beast and has what she wants in living in his castle with him. She does not want to leave. Yet, when her father is in trouble she does not think twice. She loves her father and he needs her she is on her way. 

Belle can teach my daughter to never allow someone to mistreat you. Most of the time what I hear is that little girls need to know that most of the time a beast does not turn into a prince. That girls need to know that the man won't change. There is truth in that. If someone treats you badly you should not allow it. But people are usually worth a second chance. If someone treats you badly you should tell them where they can go with their nastiness but if they say they are sorry you should accept it. Belle can teach my daughter to graciously accept an apology and allow the person who has made the mistake a chance to do better the next time. 

My daughter can learn that you should never give up. Time and time again Belle is faced with incredible challenges and she never gives up. The truth is a lot of women would give up and marry Gaston. He is a little (okay A LOT) full of himself but he is the most popular man in town, good looking, he seems to make a good income and he loves (or thinks he does) Belle. Plenty of women would settle for that but not Belle. She tells him no way, no how. She finds her father at the Beast's castle, she finds him again in the woods, she fights the townspeople, breaks out of her cellar and continues to chase down Gaston to stop him from hurting the Beast. At any point along the way a lesser woman would have given up. 

Belle can teach my daughter to fight for what you want in life. No matter who you are, where you come from, or what you want you can do, go and be anything. My daughter can learn to keep going and to believe in yourself. To believe you can and you will. Belle can teach my daughter to never settle for less.

                                                   

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