“Snow White” was initially penned in the early 19th century by the illustrious Brothers Grimm, undergoing myriad adaptations throughout history, both in literature and cinema. The narrative of Snow White, while ostensibly lacking in complexity, harbors profound insights into the human condition, with each character within the tale embodying or conforming to archetypal patterns that could serve as a valuable framework for therapists working with individuals grappling with neurosis.
This narrative does not revolve around the theme of love, nor does it allude to the notion of innocence being rewarded. It is a story about power, obsession, and the violent nature between generations of women who, intentionally or not, are shaped by the patriarchal gaze.
Frankly articulated, Snow White is a child born from death, living only to reflect beauty to those who crave it. The Evil Queen is a reflection of feminine rage in a culture that values youth more than power. Prince Prince has a savior complex with a twist of fetishism, a man who cannot love a woman until she is silent and pure. No one is a whole in this story; they are all projections. Wholeness is not the point. The characters are externalized parts of our psyche, a place that usually does not know how to hold our contradictions together. Parts of us want to be loved for being good and beautiful, but there is still a shadow full of envy, insecurity, and rage. External validation, temptation, and self-sabotage intertwine, fostering a psychodrama of fragmentation.
Consequently, it is of paramount importance for parents to understand this story exactly as it is, so they can further explain to their kids why antagonists are sometimes simply hurting and what makes grace and kindness life guiding principles.
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Why The Evil Queen Needs The Mirror
It is widely acknowledged that in the fairy tale Snow White, the Queen approaches her mirror with a provocative inquiry. She does not care at all to find objective information about the kingdom or the future, demanding validation for her beauty, feeding her ego and sense of superiority. The mirror acts as a reminder that nurturing a persistent need for approval from others can lead to obsession and devastation in no time, distorting one’s sense of self to the point where they are disgusted by their person and hate everyone around. Through a psychological lens, the Queen can be understood as a character who suffers from body dysmorphia. Her relationship with the mirror is a catalyst for this disorder, fostering a deeply toxic dynamic that reinforces her insecurities. Her sense of self-worth is entirely disrupted by the mirror, becoming dependent on being declared the most beautiful by it. In today’s society, body dysmorphia is ruining numerous lives, altering how individuals see and feel their bodies and appearance. It’s funny, though. We are not characters in a fairy tale, and we do not have a magic mirror. Still, we have social media platforms, and now, it is because of them that curated perfection has become the benchmark of worthiness.
According to Freud, The Queen epitomizes all the traits of a narcissist and megalomaniac, desiring not only to be the most beautiful woman on Earth but also dreaming of destroying anything more beautiful. The Queen’s instinct to kill Snow White arises as a direct reaction to her narcissistic injury, provoking intense feelings of shame, rage, and a desire for revenge.
On a more positive note, as parents, if you want your kids to learn about self-love, you have to show them how it is done first. Until their childishness wears off and they develop greater maturity to understand why the Evil Queen was actually hurting so much, show them what true love feels like.
Bonus tip: Gifting them a Disney Princess range from Loungefly will also feel like love.
The Seven Dwarfs As Emotional Archetypes
Each dwarf in Snow White embodied a distinct facet of the human psyche, forming together a symbolic inner world that contributes to the full spectrum of human emotions and behavior. Here is a detailed approach:
- Happy represents joy and emotional resilience, choosing to see a way out of any obstacle.
- Grumpy is replete with irritations and skepticism, embodying the defensiveness that burgeons within our psyche whenever we encounter vulnerability.
- Bashful stands for social anxiety and sensitivity, catering to those who prefer solitude.
- Sleepy reminds us that the mind’s need to rest every time when feeling overwhelmed is entirely normal, representing fatigue and emotional disengagement.
- Sneezy can be interpreted as a symbol for those who suffer from emotionally regulating or suppressing involuntary decisions. It could be an anxiety disorder, neurodivergence, or even a trauma response.
- Dopey represents purity and emotional truth, symbolizing the part of the psyche that is vulnerable and unburdened by adult concern.
- Doc is best interpreted as the ego, representing knowledge, leadership, and logic.
The Poisoned Apple As Temptation And The Loss Of Innocence
The poisoned apple is one of the most important symbols in the story, serving as a conduit for the insidious nature of desire. It reflects how external forces can corrupt the inner self, making us succumb to the more shadowy facets of aspiration through promises of sweetness. Innocence can be so easily manipulated and exploited, yet most of the time, it is nearly impossible to recover it fully. Once Snow White has eaten the poisoned apple, she is no longer a naive girl. She experienced betrayal, danger, and metaphorical death, irreversibly transforming. Although she wakes up and marries the Prince Prince, her return to life is not a return to who she used to be. She is changed, wiser, perhaps more guarded, and mature.
The poisoned apple stands as the clearest symbol of temptation in literature, portraying how even the innocent are drawn to it. Knowing the danger never stops us. It is in our nature to let us fall, letting our hunger win. We have all ignored advice, and we have all paid a price for trusting the wrong person or choosing the tempting path. We grow, we fall, and we rise again. No through perfection, not by avoiding every mistake, but by falling and rising with a more profound understanding.
Fairy tales like Snow White are not just stories for children. They reflect deep truths about human nature. Snow White touches the flame and gets burned, ultimately becoming someone who can lead but just obey. Although the lesson becomes part of who we are and sometimes the consequences still haunt us, we choose to be more than victims and reclaim what has always been yours: power.