Underlying Morality in Snow White: a Fairy Tale for Adults
Location
CSU 204
Start Date
10-4-2018 11:05 AM
End Date
10-4-2018 12:05 PM
Student's Major
World Languages and Cultures
Student's College
Arts and Humanities
Mentor's Name
Nadja Kramer
Mentor's Department
World Languages and Cultures
Mentor's College
Arts and Humanities
Description
Snow White is a well-known 19th century fairy tale by the Grimm Brothers. What is not known to everyone is that Snow White and many of other Grimms' fairy tales that were first published in 1812 were not intended for children. This fairy tale is about a young girl named Snow White whose vain stepmother tries to kill her because she is more beautiful than her. On three different occasions an attempt on Snow White's life is made until she finally succumbs to a poisoned apple. Only upon arrival of a prince, the girl is resurrected back to life. To readers of the fairy tale and to those familiar with Disney's cartoon version, Snow White is an enchanted, charming story in which good overcomes the evil, and in which Snow White lives happily ever after with the prince, while the wrongdoing evil stepmother receives a punishment for her actions. However, to say that the fairy tale is simply about the themes of good and evil, and good prevailing, is not enough. In fact, a lot of questions come to mind: Why is the stepmother jealous of a child? Why does the tale emphasize characteristics of the protagonist such as innocence and beauty? Why does there need to be a prince at the end to rescue Snow White? This research analyzes the fairy tale's underlying sexual morality and tension, and what it tells us about the culture and society at the time it was published.
Underlying Morality in Snow White: a Fairy Tale for Adults
CSU 204
Snow White is a well-known 19th century fairy tale by the Grimm Brothers. What is not known to everyone is that Snow White and many of other Grimms' fairy tales that were first published in 1812 were not intended for children. This fairy tale is about a young girl named Snow White whose vain stepmother tries to kill her because she is more beautiful than her. On three different occasions an attempt on Snow White's life is made until she finally succumbs to a poisoned apple. Only upon arrival of a prince, the girl is resurrected back to life. To readers of the fairy tale and to those familiar with Disney's cartoon version, Snow White is an enchanted, charming story in which good overcomes the evil, and in which Snow White lives happily ever after with the prince, while the wrongdoing evil stepmother receives a punishment for her actions. However, to say that the fairy tale is simply about the themes of good and evil, and good prevailing, is not enough. In fact, a lot of questions come to mind: Why is the stepmother jealous of a child? Why does the tale emphasize characteristics of the protagonist such as innocence and beauty? Why does there need to be a prince at the end to rescue Snow White? This research analyzes the fairy tale's underlying sexual morality and tension, and what it tells us about the culture and society at the time it was published.
Recommended Citation
Ardanova, Maria. "Underlying Morality in Snow White: a Fairy Tale for Adults." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 10, 2018.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2018/oral-session-04/1
