When I read the story of Bluebeard in this class I had no clue as to what the story’s moral was. It seemed as if it was just some random and morbid tale of a man with a blue beard killing his wives. However, during class I did recall that I actually read the story in a Literature of Love class my senior year of high school. The story gives great insight into the fears, expectations, and realities of love, relationships, and marriage. The story explores the fears women may have toward marriage and sheds light on the institution of marriage in the time the story was written. In this sense, the story is very similar to that of Beauty and the Beast. In Beauty and the Beast, the main character Belle must marry the Beast, or else her father will be killed. Just like Bluebeard, the Beast is older and frightening looking. Both female protagonists are taken away from their families and are forced into marriage, which involves the intimidating unknowns of sex, older and more experienced men, possible violence, power in relationships, and growing up. Whereas both highlight female marital fears, the two do differ in their moral. In Beauty and the Beast, Belle comes to love the Beast despite his hideous features. In Belles case, marriage becomes much less scary and even romantic. In the story of Bluebeard the situation is far different. Even though the same fears of marriage are evident in both stories, the story of Bluebeard has actualized violence. The eldest daughter does not come to love Bluebeard as Elle came to love the Beast, in fact, the eldest daughter ends up tricking Bluebeard to his demise.