This week's blog will feature Snow White's three deaths and how she grew each time.
Many adaptations of the story of Snow White leave out the fact that the Queen had attempted twice before the apple to try to kill Snow. There is only one adaptation that I can honestly think of that includes this fact and that was a mini-series made in the early 2000s called The 10th Kingdom. I know that some can argue that eliminating the first 2 attempts is okay, because it was the last attempt was the only one that really mattered. If you haven't figured out by this point, I completely disagree with the idea that the other deaths don't matter. I believe that they do serve a purpose and will try my best to explain it.
Let's begin by looking at the Queen's disguises then looking at the manner in which she tried to kill Snow White. I will go into more depth after laying out these basic reminders.
The three disguises:
- Old Woman
- The Queen painted her face to look like an elderly woman who sells pretty things
- I know I said three, but she dressed up as an old woman twice
- I totally believe that she dressed up as two different old women because Snow White, as young as she was, would remember the woman who tried to kill her the first time
- Peasant Woman
- In the version I have, she dresses up as a peasant woman, which I find very interesting, but I won't go into that yet.
- I have read a version that she dressed up as a farmer's wife as well
- This disguise is easier to image the Queen to do
- I imagine her trying to dull down her looks and looking like the average citizen
- Also, the idea of a farmer's wife/ peasant woman can bring a more welcoming woman
- Anyone recall the scene from Mary Poppins about the old bird woman who feeds the bird. It's kind of like that.
The three deaths:
- The Corset
- The Poison Comb
- The Poison Apple
"Good wares, beautiful wares," she answered. "Bodice laces in all colors." And she took out one that was braided from colorful silk. "Would you like this one?"
"I can let that honest woman in," thought Snow-White, then unbolted the door and bought the pretty bodice lace.
"Child," said the old woman, "how you look! Come, let me lace you up properly."
The unsuspecting Snow-White stood before her and let her do up the new lace, but the old woman pulled so quickly and so hard that Snow-White could not breathe. (http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm053.html)
Snow-White looked out and said, "Go on your way. I am not allowed to let anyone in."
"You surely may take a look," said the old woman, pulling out the poisoned comb and holding it up. The child liked it so much that she let herself be deceived, and she opened the door.
After they had agreed on the purchase, the old woman said, "Now let me comb your hair properly."
She had barely stuck the comb into Snow-White's hair when the poison took effect, and the girl fell down unconscious.
"You specimen of beauty," said the wicked woman, "now you are finished." And she walked away. (http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm053.html)
Now that we have each of those parts covered in case you have forgotten it, now it is the time to dive a bit deeper.
Snow-White stuck her head out the window and said, "I am not allowed to let anyone in. The dwarfs have forbidden me to do so."
"That is all right with me," answered the peasant woman. "I'll easily get rid of my apples. Here, I'll give you one of them."
"No," said Snow-White, "I cannot accept anything."
"Are you afraid of poison?" asked the old woman. "Look, I'll cut the apple in two. You eat the red half, and I shall eat the white half."
Now the apple had been so artfully made that only the red half was poisoned. Snow-White longed for the beautiful apple, and when she saw that the peasant woman was eating part of it she could no longer resist, and she stuck her hand out and took the poisoned half. She barely had a bite in her mouth when she fell to the ground dead. (http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/grimm053.html)
Another point to remember is that after the first time she potentially faced death, she did show hesitation and did listen to the dwarfs. So many times people assume that Snow White was just foolish due to the fact that she fell victim three times. She, once again, showed hesitation and care, especially during the last contact she had with the Queen. She did not eat the apple until the Queen had already taken a bite.
I'm sure by this point you are wondering how strength through weakness comes in. Guess what? I'm going to start talking about that now!
There is a line from The 10th Kingdom that I believes fits perfectly with this Post, because this is the line that made me view Snow White in such a different way.
Why did I let her in? Didn't I know she was bad? I did. Of course I did. But I also knew that I couldn't keep the door closed all my life just because it was dangerous. Just because there was a chance that I might get hurt. ~ Snow White
I believe that this line shows a strength in Snow White's character is that she may have showed hesitation with strangers, but didn't close the door on her life. If she would have never taken the apple then she would have never have met her prince nor would she have ever had her happily ever after.
Now I'm not saying taking something from a stranger is a good idea. Come on, this is the era of "Stranger Danger!" That may have also been a lesson in this story too, but that's a completely other thing.
The weakness comes in is something that I personally deal with as I assume many others: Kindness and trust is thought of as a weakness. Snow White is the perfect example of believing in the best of people. In every film adaptation shows this and people always think that this is a huge fault, yet this is also her greatest strength. With this strength, she gives hope to all. This story is not showing that she was too weak because all she did was clean, cook and wait for a man, but she decided to look for the goodness of people. If that is what is considered a bad story just because she cooks and cleans and wants a man, but has such a strong character because she does face the Queen in the end.
Snow White may be considered one of the "weaker" princesses of the Disney world, but I believe if it wasn't for her kindness, gentle nature, and her seeing the good in others, then I don't believe so many people would be able to relate to these stories.
And also to just point out the obvious: She survived THREE Deaths! Yeah, she pretty much rocks.
