It's been pointed out repeatedly but Beauty and the Beast is not Stockholm Syndrome.
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In short: Belle shows nothing but contempt for the Beast until he actually makes an effort to change (at which point she has already voluntarily returned to the castle after breaking her promise and trying to escape).
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It's not until he nearly dies to save her (for no discernable reason), and he begins to show compassion and kindness, that she shows these in kind. They work to understand one another.
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It's not until he shows her freedom (which she already had, but gave up to save his life), and until he shows Gaston mercy, (and nearly dies for her a SECOND time) that she actually *loves* him.
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In short: Belle shows nothing but contempt for the Beast until he actually makes an effort to change (at which point she has already voluntarily returned to the castle after breaking her promise and trying to escape).
.
It's not until he nearly dies to save her (for no discernable reason), and he begins to show compassion and kindness, that she shows these in kind. They work to understand one another.
.
It's not until he shows her freedom (which she already had, but gave up to save his life), and until he shows Gaston mercy, (and nearly dies for her a SECOND time) that she actually *loves* him.