Afraid I don't know much about (1), but as far as (2) goes, I think I'd probably do a for a bit and then c. If there was still any hope at all of getting turned back, I'd want to hang on to as much human as possible.

I think the underlying metaphor in those stories is simply about looking past appearances. Rather than "love turns a scary-man into a creature that a young girl could love", I think it's more "damn bitches, don't be so shallow!" In which case it's sort of imperative that the beast is all refined and shit.