Love in Action

Although she doesn’t die in the movie, Belle from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise [Buena Vista Pictures, 1991]) is willing to give her life in exchange for her father’s release from the Beast’s imprisonment. Belle loves her father enough to die for him. Seeing this type of love in action causes a shift for the Beast, and he begins to love Belle enough to give his life to fight for her. The theme of dying on behalf of another is frequently used in stories because of the power and sacrifice exemplified.