Snow white viewed from a feminist perspective PDF

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Summar ferris Ferreira,S ENG4U1-01 07 February 2020 Snow white viewed from a feminist perspective A 1937 classic tale of "Snow White" written by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, demonstrates a general understanding of how women were portrayed. The point of view, from a feminist perspective, demonstrates how these roles, cast by these women were stereotypical. Snow White was shown to be reliant on a male role for support. She dreams of a noble prince to rescue her. The Evil Queen and Snow White are recognized to be the center of attention of the story, though they were not portrayed to be the more dominant characters. As the opposite sex is put in to play the traits of being heroic and being an influential wise man are portrayed. Female characters are constantly in the shadows of a man. Never receiving that recognition and understanding that they earn. Throughout the story, it becomes more conspicuous of the stereotypical roles/traits given to the main female characters of these 19 centuries one-sided Tale. The antagonist of the story being the Evil Queen is shown to be very powerful, reluctant and insecure. Throughout the story, this character focuses on outer beauty. The constant worries of herself not being the ‘fairest of them all’ becomes an obsession. The repetition of the phrase “Mirror, mirror on the wall. Who in this land is fairest of all” (Grimm 1) portrays the evil queen to be self-centered and only cares for her beauty. Very reliant on how she perceives herself towards others and herself. This tale stereotypically demonstrates how women only care for beauty over others. The physical trait of “beauty” in the story caused conflict and has been judged by one’s physical appearances. Which concludes that their worth was judged by how they

perceive their appearances towards others. “Because she was so beautiful the huntsman took pity on her” (Grimm 1) Snow White positioned herself in a situation where she's been rescued by 7 men who were appealed on her beauty as expressed above. As mentioned, the story explains, the worth of beauty determines who a woman is as an individual. Her personality implied, were portrayed by her appearances Snow white a character who is very reliant on others. Not having the capability to fend for herself. Relying on the 7 dwarfs (men) to tell her what to follow. Portrays Snow White as a Gullible young girl who is consciously unaware of her abilities. Snow white is stuck in her own shadow and relying on these men to save her from the Evil that will eventually come forward (The Evil Queen). This determines a clear understanding of women and how they cannot complete simple tasks by themselves. Though they need a reliant male character to come and save the day. The role played by Snow White when she was found by the 7 dwarfs. Decided that this beautiful young woman would be our female housekeeper. “keep the house for [them], and cook, make beds, wash, sew, and knit, and keep everything clean and orderly” (Grimm3) However, these tasks were common for women to follow and complete. As the dwarfs did the job to provide Snow White completed tasks to satisfy the men. Expectations/duties were required every day from Snow White. The dwarfs were dominant characters throughout the story. The dwarfs took the role of heroes by saving Snow White life various times from the evil acts of her evil stepmother. The prince, a noble, heroic male character, approaches snow white which leads to the awakening of Snow White after the bite from a poison red apple. The prince says, “come with[him] to[his] father’s castle” (Grimm 3) Snow white follows behind the prince and goes off to the castle to confess their love. Snow white once again was rescued by a male role.

Demonstrating to the audience that Snow-white in this story could not have completed a task or survived alone without the aid of a man. Viewing the story from a feminist perspective has shown to have a considerable amount of stereotypical traits. As she was reliant on the men who carried the story. A character of beautiful appearances that changed the way others see her. Beauty is a conflict in the story and an obsession that lead to being selfish and jealous....