Week 14- #GRIMMread2019
This week's stories include some of the more popular tales, the most famous being Little Snow White. Here are some of the main differences from the Disney Version.
Magical Origins- Snow White was born because of her mother's wish. Not just any wish, but a wish sealed in blood. It's snowing outside, her mother is sewing next to a window framed in ebony, and she accidentally pricks her finger (like Briar-Rose), and three drops of blood fall on the snow. She thinks the blood looks so pretty on the snow, and wishes for a child white as snow, red as blood, and black as ebony wood.
Age- Snow White is only seven years old in this version. Seven is considered the perfect number.
The Huntsman- Beauty and innocence play a huge role in both versions, but unlike the Disney version, Grimm's version has the huntsman letting Snow White go, not because of compassion, but because of her beauty, and he assumes that she will be devoured by wild animals in the forest, anyway. He's just glad that he doesn't have to kill her, directly.
Cannibalism- The Queen plans to eat Snow White's heart. This is odd and beyond disturbing. Perhaps she thought by consuming part of Snow White, that she would obtain her beauty. (You are what you eat, right?)
The Dwarfs- The dwarfs' cottage is very neat and tidy. Snow White samples a little bit of everything, from the food to the beds (Goldilock's Style). When the dwarfs find her asleep, they think she is wonderful because of her beauty. They tell her they will let her stay if she keeps house for them.
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| Snow White Still Life- Charcol on White Paper (Class- Drawing I) |
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| Snow White Still Life- Charcoal on Gray Paper (Class- Drawing I) |
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| Me and my siblings Halloween 2008- Snow White Costume Props were used for the drawings above. (Yes, I am that pale. Why do people always ask me why I'm so pale?) |
The Temptations- Once the Queen realizes that she has been betrayed by the huntsman, she makes three attempts to kill Snow White. Each time, she is disguised as a different old peddler woman. The first two times, she uses laces (suffocation) and a comb (poison) to tempt Snow White into letting her in. Despite being warned by the dwarfs to not let anyone in, she is enticed by these items, which are symbols of vanity, (What little girl wouldn't be?) and almost dies as a result. The third attempt is the most cunning. Snow White is catching on a bit, but not enough. She refuses the apple, (which is probably symbolic of knowledge and/or passion. It seems to be a biblical reference to the Garden of Eden, especially since innocence is such a big them in this story.) until the old woman cuts off a piece for herself, and eats it. Only the side of the apple that Snow White eats is poisoned. Now, a lot of people knock Snow White for being insipid and stupid, but she's only 7, and she did think the apple passed the taste test by the Queen.
Statutory Rape?- The Prince doesn't kiss Snow White. He sees her in the glass coffin, and decides he just has to have her (creepy). His age isn't stated. (more or less creepy depending on his age) He promises the dwarfs that he will keep her as his prized possession, so they give her to him. The servant, carrying the coffin trips, and the piece of poisoned apple is dislodged from Snow White's throat, and she wakes up, and agrees to marry the prince.
Torture- The Queen is invited to Snow White's Wedding, and when she arrives, she is put in hot iron shoes, and forced to dance until she drops dead. Who's decision was this? Was it Snow White's? The Prince's? The dwarfs'? The servant's? I can see why Disney scrubbed this.
Numbers: 3 and 7 recur in this tale. 3: drops of blood, queens (Snow White's mother, the Evil Queen, Snow White), colors (white, red, black), temptations/attempts to kill, disguises etc. 7: Snow White's age, the number of dwarfs, beds, etc.
Colors- Just like in the Disney version, Grimm's has Snow White being white (innocence) as snow, red (passion) as blood, and black (death) as ebony. Everyone experiences all three of these stages of life in some way or another. Of course, these colors could also symbolize many other things.
This is one of my favorite fairy tales, despite some of the rather creepy elements, because it's so rich in symbolism, vivid imagery, and atmosphere, and it has great potential for many retellings and interpretations.
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