Snow-White is among one of the most famous fairy tales among children. The classic Brother's Grimm version is guilty of validating many of the gender norms that are of issue within fairy tales. Marcia R. Lieberman notes in "Some Day My Prince Will Come": Female Acculturation through the Fairy Tale the reoccurring role of passivity among women in traditional fairy tales. With that in mind, Snow-White is an excellent example of that subordinate roll.
The young and beautiful princess first escapes death because her beauty invokes pity within the henchmen. She has done nothing to earn her life by collapsing into tears. After she is freed, Snow-White goes on to meet the 7 Dwarfs. Here her role is delegated by this new group of men. They assure her she will be given whatever she needs so long as she manages the home. The stereotypical family structure has been created. A Housewife earns no income for her work, and therefore must depend on her husband for survival.
The Brother's Grimm highlight feminine vanity in their method of temptation. The evil queen uses a comb, then a laced bodice to capture her daughter's attention. Snow-White's naivety results in her repetitive poisoning. After each deadly experience, men are left to rescue Snow-White. The prince rewards the passive female by electing to keep her once he sees Snow-White in the glass coffin. The princess has done nothing to warrant salvation aside from being strikingly beautiful.
Lieberman writes that "the reward system in fairy tales . . . equates these three factors: being beautiful, being chosen, and getting rich" (387). The story of Snow-White undoubtedly validates Lieberman's claim. Once Snow-White is chosen by the prince because of her beauty, she is rewarded with a wealthy kingdom. Snow-White falls victim to the delegation of gender roles. Perhaps a more personal cause for reward would decondition young girls to the notion that they should wait for rescue from their prince.
No comments:
Post a Comment