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Radhika Nangia
ENG 3U
Prepared for Mr. Darling
November 3, 2014
Frankenstein & Beauty and the Beast Appearances Vs. Reality
Appearances vs. Reality is a theme that is seen in both Frankenstein and Beauty and the Beast.
In Frankenstein, the society seems to believe that outward appearances are a reflection of inner
character. When the creature first comes to life, Victor almost seems to be terrified by what he has
created as Victor describes it, I beheld the wretch the miserable monster whom I had created
(Shelley 59). Victors goal was to create a creature that would be superior and recognise him as the
creator of a new species. The creature is abnormally large, he is described as being ugly and demon-like.
Victor automatically connects the creatures looks with what his personality would be and he runs away.
The creature has to take care of himself and tries to experiment and learn new things in order to
survive. Any time he approaches a human, he is either attacked or the humans run away because they
misjudge him as well. The creature has good intentions but people mistreat him and it gets to a point
where the creature is so frustrated that he decides to get revenge at his creator and mankind. While
narrating his story to Victor he says that, inflamed by pain, I vowed eternal hatred and vengeance to
all mankind (Shelley 143). People constantly judged him for his looks and so he became what they
believed. His appearance was sublime as he had a rough, harsh, demonic demeanour and opposite to
this his kind, nave, personality. His frustration had grown to hatred and he wanted to punish mankind
and Victor. Everyone Victor knows is described as being very attractive and also very kind and loving, the
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creature is described as being ugly and that reflects his character. The only other character described
this way is Professor Krempe.
In Beauty and the Beast by Jeanne-Marie LePrince de Beaumont, the idea of appearances vs.
reality is very evident. There was a man who had six children, including three daughters and three sons.
The youngest daughter was admired by everyone and they would call her Beauty. As she grew older, the
name just stuck and her other sisters were very envious of her. The man was a merchant who was very
rich but lost all his wealth and in an attempt to get it back he goes on a trip. He has received things to
get from all his children but Beauty. When he asks her, she says that she would like a rose. The
merchant is unsuccessful in getting his fortune, on the way back he finds a castle with a garden and
remembers Beautys request. While getting the roses, he is caught by a Beast who is ready to kill the
man. He is only willing to spare the mans life if he sends one of his daughters. Beauty agrees to live with
the Beast for her father and is treated very well by the Beast. One day, the Beast asks to marry Beauty
but she refuses and instead agrees to live with him forever if she can see her father again. She promises
to go see her father only for a week, but her jealous sisters trick her into staying longer so that the Beast
will kill her. After 10 days, she feels very guilty and decides to go back. Upon her return, she finds the
Beast awaiting his final breath. She is desperate and agrees to marry him. The Beast is then transformed
into a handsome prince before her eyes. The Beast had a curse that he would remain looking like a Beast
until a beautiful virgin agreed to marry him. There are many examples of many places that people were
judged on their outward appearances as being a reflection of their character. One example is that the
society thinks that, the youngest, as she was handsomer, was also better than her sisters (LePrince
De Beaumont). This quote shows how people judged her for her looks. Beauty was very beautiful and as
a result people thought that she would be beautiful on the inside as well. This was true for Beauty but
for other characters in the story it was not. Beautys two sisters were married to two handsome
gentlemen however they were rude and neglected their wives. Theyre character was very different
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from what they appeared to be. Beauty refused to marry the Beast and however later questioned
herself, is it his fault if he is so ugly, and has so little sense? He is kind and good, and that is sufficient.
Why did I refuse to marry him? (LePrince De Beaumont). She has realized that appearances do not
reflect character and decides to marry the prince. After the curse has been lifted, a fairy visits Beauty
and says, come and receive the reward of your judicious choice; you have preferred virtue before
either wit or beauty, and deserve to find a person in whom all these qualifications are united (LePrince
De Beaumont). Beauty has learned her lesson of how people should not be judged by their appearances.
The Beast had a wonderful personality but Beauty did not wish to marry him for his looks and when the
curse was lifted he turned out to be a very handsome prince.
This is a very important moral that is represented in many books and movies. People often judge
others based on their looks. However, appearances do not reflect someones character and do not show
the reality. There are common sayings which follow the same concept such as, dont judge a book by its
cover. This saying is a metaphor by saying that the cover a book will not give a clear representation of
how a book is. So the only way to know would be to actually read the book. The same way goes for
people; you cannot make a judgment based on how someone looks because their personality and
character may be very different. These are all decisions we often make without noticing and they can
cause us to judge people and put them down or not get to know someone properly. This is a very
important idea and the reason Beaumont included it in her story and later a version of the story is made
into a childrens fairy tale. The creature was repeatedly judged by his looks and as a result he became
very angry and decided to get revenge on Victor and mankind and many innocent people were hurt. We
can learn from these stories as well as the other countless ones which portray this idea to tell people
that appearances do not reflect reality.