Inner Beauty vs Outer Beauty

Influenced by cultural values, each variant stresses that the meaning of inner beauty comes from idealistic traits in a person’s character. The Disney adaptation takes Belle, for example, who is a kind-hearted person and takes the time to view Beast past his exterior for who he truly is at heart rather. Because Cupid and Psyche takes place in the Roman Republic, social influences such as patrimony and subjugation of women to their male counterparts narrates beautiful women as obedient and unquestioning to their authorities and husbands. Submissive women who upheld the patriarchy set standards for the ideal, virtuous woman. However, although Cupid and Psyche placed emphasis on Psyche and Cupid’s physical attractiveness, similar to the Disney film of Beauty and the Beast, Lady White Snake and The Snake with Five Heads highlights the importance of hard work, kindness, and compassion towards others. These differences in ideals presented demonstrate the different characteristics certain cultures valued greater in a person, with European cultures placing greater emphasis on outer beauty while African and Asian societies stress the importance of respect, diligence, and compassion. This again allows us to understand how fairy tales serve as a reflection of a culture’s values and norms as these cultures express their values on beauty in their fairy tales to teach future generations important societal beliefs.