The Creation of ones of identity, How did the Valet help in the "Tiger's Bride"

 The valet from The Tiger’s Bride is a tough character to understand, he seems to be a simple servant but yet he plays such a pivotal role in the Tiger’s Bride. The valet was introduced at the very beginning of the story as a menial servant that just helps his master as a valet would. Helping someone transport something and help them carry luggage as well. Although this character would quickly change

When the heroine enters the carriage she notices that the valet does not show any pity but rather is “his face seamed with the innocent cunning of an ancient baby”. This may further hint at the idea of him just doing what is required of him and not looking deeper into the subject.. This concept situation may lead us to believe that he is ignorant of what is happening or what is to happen. At first glance he aids the mystery of the “Masked Beast”, but this aiding of his master quickly grew into something greater. 

Throughout the story of The Tiger’s Bride we learn the slow changing of the heroine's point of view from being reluctant to the proposal given by the Beast to eventually giving in. But as she slowly changes and gains character she is able to decide properly whether or not to accept the offer. In the making of this decision the valet was quintessential. The constant guidance as well as to a certain degree nagging forced the heroine to change, the providing of the mechanical maid forced to understand that she was the only ‘human’ in here. ('Nothing human lives here,' as stated by the valet). Referring to the heroine as a ‘guest of honor’ which forced the heroine to look upon herself as something more than just an object that goes from one man to another. Which is highlighted by the scene where she saw herself as her own father, considering herself no more than that which her father was. Although in this moment it was the valet who cleaned the mirror and gave the heroine a mirror where she was visible. This scene can symbolise the start process of understanding and creating one's identity. To this moment the heroine considered herself naught but an extension of her own father which is symbolised by the nature of seeing herself in the mirror as her father, although the first step of creating an identity is to see oneself as an individual being. And in this the valet was the one who guided the heroine to this.

Although at the beginning he seemed to be a simple servant unaware of the things going on around him that quickly grew into a change of him seeming to be an entity to aid his master however he may, but this in turn quickly changed into a character who was essential for the creation of one's identity.