7 Comments
User's avatar
Auguste Meyrat's avatar

Great insight. I’m honestly not sure what the point of Snow White is supposed to be, which is why I like it. Seems more real and interesting than typical preachiness of new Disney Princess movies.

Expand full comment
DemonHunter's avatar

It is the juxtaposition between beautiful/ugly, kind/cruel, optimistic/pessimism, hope/resignation, innocence/wickedness, good/evil, light/darkness. It is a mirror to self, free of what we wish to see but rather as we are.

Expand full comment
Steve (recovering lawyer)'s avatar

The 1937 version of Disney's "Snow White" is a treasure because it speaks to and honors the ancient truths that have somehow been forgotten, if not actually repudiated by modern sensibilities. The utter abomination recenty unleashed by Disney on an unsuspecting public is not merely a disasterous attempt to "update" the movie, it is really the anti-Snow White and its failure to capture the attention of current filmgoers is reassuring. At least for now, we may feel somewhat reassured of the sanity of the majority.

Expand full comment
cheeflo's avatar

This is a beautiful piece. What many people don't seem to understand is that reciprocal is not the same as transactional. Snow White and the dwarfs understand that this improvement in their circumstances relies on a voluntary division of labor and responsibility to ensure that all needs are met, even those that aren't obvious. It is a recognition of a mutual value that has a price which they happily pay.

Expand full comment
Robert Arvanitis's avatar

Rights mean responsibilities. What a novel thought. Wonder if it will catch on...

Expand full comment
DemonHunter's avatar

“ Being a princess, she could theoretically demand the dwarfs help her, but the idea never crosses her mind.”

Yup. That’s a different story, “The Princess and the Pea.” Which, just now made me wonder if it isn’t related to “The Taming of the Shrew.”

Expand full comment
Robert F. Graboyes's avatar

Delightful piece. I sometimes watch train wrecks, just so I can speak knowledgeably. I think I’ll refrain in the case Snow White. But your piece has persuaded me to rewatch the original. I’ll admit that I’ve enjoyed the schadenfreude with respect to the remake.

Expand full comment