One of my counter-arguments to the ever annoying and only slightly valid “Beauty and the Beast is bad for little girls because it teaches them they can change jerks into nice guys” criticism is that both characters change. Yeah, the Beast certainly changes way more, but Belle also shows growth. After giving into her curiosity to explore the forbidden West Wing, she doesn’t abandon the injured Beast or pretend she had no fault in the argument. By the end of the movie she has evolved from having a passive desire for a better life- and finding escape only in books- to actually fighting for the life she wants.

Huh, interesting thoughts. I was never really that struck by Belle/Beast, but you're making me think I should watch this movie again.