What is the allure of the beauty and the beast theme? Beautiful woman, (sure, who doesn't wanna put themeselves in that role), who falls in love with a hideous beast, (not your typical romantic hero), who is transformed by the love of aforementioned beautiful woman. Except every time I read or watch a version of Beauty and the Beast, I hate the ending whereby the beast is transformed into someone with a different face - a purty face. In the 1946 version of B&B, directed by Jean Cocteau...
during a preview, Greta Garbo was reported as having said at the end of the film, "Give me back my beast!", a sentiment shared by many viewers when the beast was transformed by the love of Belle into the handsome face of another.
My point being, it's not what's on the outside that matters in a great romance.
Case in point, an onslaught of Geek romances: Big Bang Theory. While comedic, it is essentially the same thing - a beauty and the beast story. Sheldon and Amy, Leonard and Penny, Howard and Bernadette. (Howard? Really?)
So I went in search of the rationale behind the "sexy geek". And low and behold! There's science behind this phenomenon! We are an evolving species! Striving to combine the brilliance of Leonard with the beauty of Penny! the beauty and brilliance of Bernadette with the brilliance of Howard! The brilliance of Sheldon with the beauty, (yes, I said beauty. The actress, Mayim Bialik - you know her as "Blossom"- is a looker and her character loves Sheldon anyway), Amy Farrah Fowler!
And here's the "math" behind it, as delivered by Juan Enriquez at a Ted Talk in 2012:
Enjoy the video and think about it the next time you see another stereotyped "Geek" playing the odd-man-out. He just might be the hero of your story.
On another note, I'm happy to announce the release of a new book, TWO MOONS OVER CEDAR HILL. It's slated to debut on Amazon and Kindle any minute now! 5-4-3-2-1. . . Blast off! (Feel free to share my joy with others by tweeting or facebook sharing.
My point being, it's not what's on the outside that matters in a great romance.
Case in point, an onslaught of Geek romances: Big Bang Theory. While comedic, it is essentially the same thing - a beauty and the beast story. Sheldon and Amy, Leonard and Penny, Howard and Bernadette. (Howard? Really?)
So I went in search of the rationale behind the "sexy geek". And low and behold! There's science behind this phenomenon! We are an evolving species! Striving to combine the brilliance of Leonard with the beauty of Penny! the beauty and brilliance of Bernadette with the brilliance of Howard! The brilliance of Sheldon with the beauty, (yes, I said beauty. The actress, Mayim Bialik - you know her as "Blossom"- is a looker and her character loves Sheldon anyway), Amy Farrah Fowler!
And here's the "math" behind it, as delivered by Juan Enriquez at a Ted Talk in 2012:
Enjoy the video and think about it the next time you see another stereotyped "Geek" playing the odd-man-out. He just might be the hero of your story.
On another note, I'm happy to announce the release of a new book, TWO MOONS OVER CEDAR HILL. It's slated to debut on Amazon and Kindle any minute now! 5-4-3-2-1. . . Blast off! (Feel free to share my joy with others by tweeting or facebook sharing.
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| TWO MOONS OVER CEDAR HILL, by Sofie Couch |
Well, for some reason, I get no audio on any YouTube videos right now, so I'm commenting "blind" on this one. Anyway, this is one of my favorite fairy tales. I think the lesson is that we each define beauty differently. This truth is driven home to me every time I watch TV with the men in my life (hubby and two sons). A stunning woman will come on the screen, and one of them invariably says something rude, like "She eats Alpo." (This comes from the husband's side of the family, I assure you.) I say, "What are you talking about? She's GORGEOUS!" They look at me like I've just chewed off a pigeon's head or something.
ReplyDeleteLOL - pigeon heads! Yes, the whole concept of beauty seems to be different for each of us - merely a perception seen through different ocular prescriptions. I'm a sucker for a beauty and the beast story - where the beast remains a beast - at least visually.
DeleteOh, you may want to check your youtube bar. It has its own volume and mute buttons within the video.
Wow, Sofie! I've never heard of Ted Talk, and frankly, it's more than a little intimidating, but WOW! This was amazing. I'm pleased to think that perhaps we are evolving from survival of the fittest to survival of the prettiest to survival of the smartest. However, in all cases, I am alarmed by the treatment of those deemed not to be "the" of any measurement. It's also been proven that the failures of a species actually provided valid and important contributions to the continued existence of the species (but don't ask me for the science behind that statement - heard/read/seen and assimilated at some point). But to remain on point with your post. HOORAY for the realization that there is more to the attraction than mere physical beauty and the slow evolution of the portrayal of that realization in the media and in literature. The "beauty and the beast" myth, to me, is about acceptance and the development of a true connection between two people despite differences great or small. That is the best way to continue the species IMHO. Thanks for the thought-provoking post!
ReplyDeleteProbably the same reason we remain a two-party system in regard to government. You sort of have to have the good, the bad, and the ugly in order to stay (relatively) fit.
DeleteAnd yeah, Ted Talks are Fabulous! It's sort of like PBS - makes you feel smart even if all you're watching is Sesame Street with the toddlers. :)
I think beauty and the beast mythology has to do with how women desire to 'tame' the male beast, yet are attracted to the very thing they try to destroy (too many psych classes in my youth, sorry).
ReplyDeleteBig Bang is my most favorite tv show for years. It's the only show I can watch over and over, and never get sick of.