Beauty and the Beast
Beauty and the Beast is a classic French fairy tale written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in 1740. The story follows the life of a beautiful young girl named Beauty, who lives with her merchant father and two sisters. When her father loses all of his money, he sets off on a journey to try and make his fortune. On his way, he comes across a mysterious castle, where he is welcomed by a beast. The beast offers him a deal: if he will give him one of his daughters, he will restore his fortune. Beauty agrees to go to the castle, and the beast gives her a magical rose as a token of his love. Beauty soon discovers that the beast is actually a prince who was cursed by a witch. She falls in love with him and eventually breaks the curse, turning him back into a handsome prince. The story has been adapted into many different versions, including a Disney animated film in 1991. It is a timeless tale of love and transformation, and has been enjoyed by generations of readers.
By Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve · First published 1740 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Romance, Fantasy · 2,260 words
First lines
There was once a merchant who had been very rich at one time, but who, having had heavy losses, was compelled to retire to a little cottage in the country; where he lived with his three daughters. The two elder ones were very much discontented at their poverty, and were always grumbling and making complaints. But the youngest one, who was called Beauty, and who was as amiable as she was handsome, tried all she could to comfort her father and make his home happy.
What this Textopian page supports
Beauty and the Beast is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, dated 1740 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve
- Date: 1740 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fairy Tale, Romance, Fantasy, Magical Realism
- Length: 2,260 words
- Structure: 1 section, 16 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Beauty and the Beast?
- How does this short story by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fairy Tale first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Fairy Tale — The story follows the traditional fairy tale structure of a beautiful young woman falling in love with a beast, and is based on the traditional French fairy tale of the same name.
- Romance — The story follows the romantic relationship between the beautiful young woman and the beast, and the eventual transformation of the beast into a handsome prince.
- Fantasy — The story contains elements of fantasy, such as the transformation of the beast into a handsome prince, and the magical powers of the enchantress who cursed the beast.
- Magical Realism — The story contains elements of magical realism, such as the transformation of the beast into a handsome prince, and the magical powers of the enchantress who cursed the beast.
Tags
Fairy tales · around · beast · beautiful · beauty · came · come · comfort · could · elegant · father · go