Andrew Shin, Annotated Snow White Response

There are several striking elements in the original version of Snow White that can simply be described as ridiculous. The age of Snow White was one thing that I never considered until reading this story. Here, Snow White is a seven year old girl who most likely has just started to learn how to read. Yet for some reason, the queen's looking glass judges this underdeveloped toddler as the most beautiful of all. Even more ludicrous is the fact that the queen is insecure enough to believe the looking glass. The queen may be a symbol for envy and untamed jealousy, but at the same time, she also represents cunning and wit. This does not seem to be reflected well in this story at all, especially with the three consecutive unsuccessful assassination attempts.

Another problem I found with this story was the relationship between Snow White and the dwarves. Although slightly unrelated, I'd like to point out that when Snow White first entered the dwarves' home, she ate from each one of their plates and tried out every single bed. Then, when the dwarves discovered her, the seventh dwarf slept by switched bed partners every single hour of the night. The logic behind this is incomprehensible. Anyway, Snow White is invited to live in the home as long as she does all of the cleaning and all of the cooking. It is mandatory that she has dinner prepared by the time the dwarves return home from work. The representation of stereotypical gender roles is apparent. Women are slaves to the domestic sphere while men bring home the gold. Disgusting. Even more cringeworthy is the fact that Snow White is only seven years old when she enters into this contract. Seven is an age when children are supposed to be free, only dreaming about what they may become in the future. Here, the message is clear. A little girl's sole destiny is to serve men within the household. No other opportunities exist.

Snow White seems to represent Eve of the age-old biblical origin story. Again and again, the queen successfully tempts her with material things: lace, combs, and food. The sad thing is that little Snow never learns to avoid strangers. And as she lies dying on the floor for the eightieth time, it is a man that must come and save her, correcting her temptations. The largest problem I found with this story is that the prince claims her cold corpse as his "prized possession," and the dwarves just stand aside and allow him to do so. Snow White is not even a person. Instead, she is an object valued only for her aesthetic value and virginity. Furthermore, I shudder at the prince's pedophilia and necrophilia, two traits that should not be looked upon as noble nor heroic. As the prince's servants carrie Snow away, the fact that Snow comes back to life when the apple is dislodged from her throat makes me wonder: what happened to the queen's ingenious poison? I guess it was just a normal apple then since it appears the only poisonous effects that it had were on Snow's decision-making concerning life-long partners. My feelings toward the original Snow White are clear. There is just so much wrong with the tale from my modern day viewpoint that the fairytale loses its charm.