Beauty & the Beast Beauty & the Beast Beauty and the Beast is a well-known fairy tale. Jack Zipe writes that Madame Leprince de Beaumont "wrote the version that has become canonical in the modern world," although other versions abound. (Zipes 48) Iona and Peter Opie's book on fairy tales says Beauty and the Beast is full of symbolism, and is actually one of the most symbolic of all fairy tales. (Opie 179)
Beauty and the Beast has been one of my favorite stories since childhood. My research helped me understand and appreciate all of its symbolism and characterization. I hope you enjoy what I found!