SYNOPSIS
This version of Snow White follows the classic tale of a young, kind princess named Snow White who faces the jealousy and wrath of her stepmother, the wicked Queen. Obsessed with being the "fairest of them all," the Queen consults her magic mirror daily. When the mirror reveals that Snow White is more beautiful, the Queen plots to eliminate her by ordering a huntsman to take her life. However, the huntsman, moved by Snow White's innocence, spares her and advises her to escape deep into the forest. Snow White stumbles upon a cottage belonging to seven dwarfs, who offer her refuge.
Despite warnings from the dwarfs, Snow White unknowingly allows the disguised Queen to harm her multiple times. After surviving two attacks a suffocating bodice lace and a poisoned comb, the Queen returns with a poisoned apple. Snow White, believing the old woman is kind, takes a bite and falls into a deep, death-like sleep. Heartbroken, the dwarfs place her in a glass coffin. A passing prince sees Snow White and, as he helps carry her, dislodges the piece of apple from her throat, reviving her. Grateful and captivated, the prince proposes, and Snow White agrees, leading them to a happily-ever-after ending.
WRITER'S BACKGROUND
Jacob Grimm, the elder of the two brothers, was known for his scholarly approach to folklore and linguistics. He played a crucial role in the initial collection of German folktales, including "Snow White," which was first published in 1812 as part of their anthology Grimm's Fairy Tales (Gidwitz, 2013) . Jacob's focus was on preserving the oral traditions of German culture and ensuring that these stories retained their original essence and moral lessons.
In "Snow White," Jacob emphasized themes of jealousy and the struggle for beauty. The tale begins with a queen who wishes for a daughter with "skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony," a reflection of her own vanity and desire for perfection. This sets the stage for the conflict between Snow White and her stepmother, who becomes increasingly envious of Snow White's beauty. Jacob's version also highlights the darker aspects of human nature, such as betrayal and revenge, culminating in a grim resolution where the evil queen is punished for her malice (SuperSummary, n.d.).
Wilhelm Grimm, while also a scholar, brought a more artistic touch to their stories. His revisions often included enhancing narrative elements to make them more engaging for readers. In "Snow White," Wilhelm contributed to the development of key motifs such as the poisoned apple and the glass coffin, which have become iconic symbols in fairy tale lore. His storytelling style infused the narrative with emotional depth, making it resonate with both children and adults.
Wilhelm's influence is particularly evident in how he portrayed Snow White's character—innocent yet resilient (Gidwitz, 2013). The story evolves from a simple tale of jealousy into a complex narrative about survival and love. The prince's role in reviving Snow White—by accident rather than through a romantic kiss—reflects Wilhelm's inclination to subvert traditional fairy tale tropes, presenting an unconventional yet poignant resolution to the story (Wikipedia Contributors, 2019).
LITERARY ELEMENTS
Plot
The main plot of Snow White revolves around a young, innocent princess named Snow White, whose beauty and kindness incite the jealousy of her wicked stepmother, the Evil Queen. Consumed by envy, the Queen seeks to destroy Snow White, but through the help of seven dwarfs, Snow White escapes death and finds refuge. Despite facing multiple attempts on her life, Snow White’s goodness prevails, and she ultimately finds love and safety with a prince. The story highlights themes of innocence, jealousy, and the ultimate triumph of goodness over evil (Pfeiffer, 2019) .
Narrator
Snow White is narrated in the third person by an omniscient narrator, who provides insight into the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters. This narration style gives the reader a deeper understanding of the motivations behind Snow White’s innocence and the Queen’s malevolent jealousy. By offering a broader perspective, the narration fosters empathy for Snow White’s suffering and emphasizes the timeless, fairy-tale quality of the story.
Point of View
The third-person point of view allows the reader to see the story from multiple perspectives, particularly those of Snow White and the Evil Queen. This viewpoint highlights the stark contrast between Snow White’s purity and the Queen’s obsession with beauty and power. The reader is able to appreciate the motivations of both characters, deepening the understanding of their conflict and the story’s moral.
Characters
In Snow White, the characters embody the classic struggle between good and evil. Snow White represents innocence, kindness, and trust, while the Evil Queen symbolizes vanity, envy, and cruelty. The seven dwarfs act as protectors, offering friendship and safety in a world that has turned dangerous. The Prince, who ultimately rescues Snow White, represents hope, love, and the promise of a happy ending, completing the fairy-tale arc of the story.
Conflict
The central conflict is the battle between Snow White and the Evil Queen, personifying the clash between innocence and jealousy. The Queen’s envy leads her to devise multiple schemes to harm Snow White, creating external danger for the princess. Meanwhile, Snow White experiences an internal conflict as she learns to navigate a world full of deceit and danger, questioning whom she can trust. The conflict between Snow White and the Queen drives the story’s action and reinforces the theme of good versus evil.
Setting
The story’s setting shifts between two key locations: the Queen’s palace, where Snow White faces peril, and the dwarfs’ cottage in the forest, which becomes a sanctuary for the princess. The enchanted forest, with its hidden dangers, symbolizes both a place of refuge and a place of risk. These contrasting settings underscore the tension between innocence and malice, helping to establish the fairy-tale atmosphere that defines the story.
Language
The language in Snow White is simple yet elegant, capturing the timeless quality of a fairy tale. Descriptive language emphasizes Snow White’s purity and beauty, while darker, more ominous words reflect the Queen’s sinister actions. The straightforward language makes the story accessible to readers of all ages, while the rich descriptions add a magical, moral tone to the narrative.
Theme
The central theme of Snow White is the triumph of goodness and innocence over envy and malice. Snow White’s character illustrates that true beauty comes from within, and her kindness and purity ultimately allow her to overcome the Queen’s jealousy. The story suggests that while evil may momentarily triumph, goodness and true beauty will ultimately prevail. The narrative reinforces the moral that love, kindness, and a pure heart are more powerful than vanity and cruelty (SuperSummary, n.d.).
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