A Fera que bate à porta: Corte de espinhos e rosas em análises de reescritas de “A Bela e a Fera”

Abstract

The conception of fairy tales, from the perspective that they invariably involve some marvelous element, as argued by researcher Vladimir Propp (2001), presents characteristics that continue to appear in narratives of the 21st century. This persistence validates these same tales, giving these adventures a sense of infinity. In other words, stories that were originally oral and later became narratives aimed at children have, in fact, become so deeply ingrained in the imagination that they have permeated cultures beyond early childhood. Gaston Bachelard (1988), for instance, discusses the role of imagination introduced in childhood as a seed that flourishes in adulthood, providing fertile ground for future beliefs and principles. In the 20th century, the media's appropriation of this type of narrative enabled the exploration of direct adaptations, which continued to be consumed by children but also by adults. Beyond that, the objective of this study is to argue that repeated exposure to such narratives—first in childhood and later in adulthood—ensures the persistence of these stories in media beyond the obvious adaptations. Through bibliographic research methodology and qualitative analysis of fictional texts, this study seeks to prove this idea, based on the hypothesis that Western culture, exposed to fairy tales, has incorporated these narratives beyond childhood into contemporary times. This is supported by quantitative and comparative analysis, which indicates that adulthood, like adolescence, revisits and continues to consume these narratives—not only engaging with them but also producing and reclaiming them, as observed by professor Nelly Novaes Coelho (2012). The conception of the monomyth, a concept developed by Joseph Campbell (1949) in his discussion of the hero’s journey, underpins this approach. Similarly, the concept of mimesis becomes essential to the study, providing a foundation for the idea of narrative permanence through Aristotelian and Platonic studies. Sarah J. Maas (2015), a 21st-century author, is, in summary, the object of study in this research, as she confirms this persistence in literary works of fantasy that revisit classic fairy tales—specifically, in her novel A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015), which reinterprets “The Beauty and the Beast”, as written by Madame de Beaumont (1756) and Madame de Villeneuve (1740). This study is relevant as it contributes to research surrounding the field of Literary Theory and fairy tales, as well as discussions and dialogues regarding children and young adult's literature. The aim is to foster reflection on the congruencies between traditional tales and contemporary literature