Belle Character and Feminism in “Beauty and the Beast 2017”

Abstract

"Beauty and the Beast" is a well-known romantic Disney movie that explores men and women's gender roles in society. In the movie, there is a representation of reality that is presented. It affect viewers’ understanding of reality. Movie not only have a positive effect, many movies also contain representations of gender inequality. This study seeks to explain how feminism is portrayed in the 2017 film Beauty and the Beast. This study took a qualitative approach, employing Peirce's semiotics analysis method. The study's findings indicate that the feminism representation reflected in the figure of Belle is postmodern feminism, as Belle focuses more on demonstrating her existence as a woman by being herself. Belle's postmodern feminism is reflected in her intelligent personality, bravery in opposing the man's point of view, tough and brave attitude, decisive figure, and the presence of gender equity in a film.