The Tale of Two Beasts

In Disney's Beauty and the Beast we have two main male leads, Gaston and the Beast. Both of these characters are introduced the same way, superficial, strong and lacking compassionate. Both the Beast and Gaston view the value of a woman based on her looks, the Beast places little value on the old lady because of her looks and age and Gaston values Belle not based on her intellect and personality but the fact she is the attractive girl in the village.

The Beast and Gaston are not exactly the same, there are differences. Let's consider their roles in the community, the Beast's community is poor,disfigured servants and they are so because of the Beast. Gaston's community is just normal hard working people who are better off because of Gaston. Gaston is a skilled hunter and warrior willing to protect the village from all sorts of threats demonstrated by his willingness to hunt down the Beast which the villagers consider a grave and immediate threat. Gaston hanger-ons are taken care of by him, not exploited servants.

Now we can compare the two vis a vis Belle. Belle is portrayed as too intellectual ( a bookworm) and compassionate to be marrying Gaston who doesn't bring enough to the equation even though he can provide for her in all ways material. What does the Beast being to the equation? The Beast isn't bookread even though he has a huge library and doesn't show any human decency until we are deep involved with the plot.

The story of the Beast is the story of someone who was worse than Gaston who is redeemed and becomes what we are told is the perfect husband, the reward for Belle being the perfect woman/wife.

So let's look at outcomes here, Beast is a obnoxious prince who indiscretions causes him and those around harm but is redeemed but Gaston acting in accordance with the welfare of those around him is not offered a chance for redemption but instead pushed to his death by the "good guy"

I guess redemption is only reserved for some.