Beauty and the Beast was originally a feminist fable disguised as marriage guidance

Before her Beauty adaptation, the writer translated the tragic tale of
Madame de Ganges, based on the real-life tragic history of Diane-Elisabeth de Rossan.
The protagonist has an unfortunate story: a wealthy, beautiful and
virtuous young woman remarries after becoming widowed. She makes a poor
choice, however, and marries a jealous husband with two villainous
brothers, both of whom fall in love with her. When neither succeeds in
corrupting her virtue, their anger is so great that they decide to
murder her – with the endorsement of her husband.