Traditional Gender Roles in Snow White

Snow White is a classic fairy tale that revolves around a princess with a wicked stepmother who becomes jealous of her beauty.

The stepmother orders a huntsman to kill Snow White, but he spares her, and she finds refuge in a forest with seven dwarfs.

The story involves a poisoned apple, true love's kiss, and a happily ever after.

The Queen’s Powerful and Controlling Image

The Snow White excerpt shows the Queen as powerful and demanding, reinforcing the idea that women can be seen as controlling.

This connects to usual thoughts about how women should behave, and reflects common beliefs about women’s actions and roles.

The Huntsman’s Struggle

The huntsman's struggle in Snow White shows that men might find it hard to break from their usual roles.

This fits with the idea that there are expectations for how men should act, and going against them can be tough.

It reflects what society often thinks men should be and the internal conflict that comes with breaking those expectations.

Snow White’s Helplessness

In the Snow White excerpt, Snow White seems passive and weak. Others decide her fate, highlighting the usual portrayal of women as dependent on outside influences in traditional stories.

This reflects the common theme of women's vulnerability and the hidden dangers they may face in these tales.

Fairy Tale Patterns

In fairy tales, male characters usually have power, while female characters deal with challenges and don't have much say.
It's a common pattern where women often face tough situations, controlled by external forces.

References

Warner, M. (1995). “From the Beast to the Blonde: On Fairy Tales and Their Tellers”.
Bettelheim, B. (1976). “The Uses of Enchantment: The Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales.” Vintage.