„Historia stara jak świat" i jej alternatywne wersje. Metamorfozy Pięknej i Bestii Disneya w literaturze
“A Tale as Old as Time” and Its Alternative Versions: Metamorphoses of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast in Literature

Summary/Abstract: The fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast" has appeared in numerous literary and cinematic adaptations. One of the most iconic versions is Walt Disney Studios' 1991 animated film, directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, while its 2017 live-action remake, directed by Bill Condon, reconfigures the relationship between Belle and the Beast. This article examines recent literary reinterpretations of Disney's variants of the tale. Many literary adaptations for children based on Trousdale and Wise's and Condon's versions closely mirror these films, reinforcing the Disney canon. By contrast, young adult retellings – such as The Beast Within: A Tale of Beauty's Prince by Serena Valentino (2012), As Old as Time by Liz Braswell (2016), and Rebel Rose by Emma Theriault (2020) – challenge conventional plot structures and introduce original perspectives. These reinterpretations reflect broader postmodern and feminist trends in contemporary literature. Disney's films and affiliated literary works demonstrate varied strategies for reengaging with the fairy-tale tradition and with Disney's own legacy. Beauty and the Beast thus illustrates how Disney not only perpetuates its own version of the tale across media and merchandise, but also allows for its transformation in response to the evolving preferences of contemporary audiences.

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