Who doesn’t remember the 1937 animated movie Snow White?
The new generation who has no patience to watch an old movie that doesn’t have enough special effects or slang to hold their attention, that’s who.
Snow White is a beloved movie based on the 1812 tale by the Brothers Grimm. The 1937 version is a Disney-fied version of Snow White, who has a bob and a pretty blue and yellow dress.
Ever since the movie release, Snow White is known to be this demure princess, who longs for love, who is kind-hearted and has a soft voice.
Then came the 2025 version of Snow White, which was supposed to be a modern take on the classic fairytale.
There is no doubt that these stories need to be retold as many times as possible to keep them alive. A modern take on the movie, that resonates with the new generation, will keep traditions alive.
Snow White may be deemed as too timid and helpless in the modern world, but then again it depends on how you interpret her story.
Snow White lost her parents at a very young age. She had to rely on her stepmother for food and a roof over her head. Considering the stepmother was the only adult she had to rely on, Snow White believed that she must do whatever the stepmother asked for her to appease her. Perhaps she even feared being thrown to the streets if her stepmother was unhappy with her.
And so, Snow White did whatever the stepmother asked of her, not realizing she was being emotionally abused. Yet, she never stopped believing in love. Snow White must have hoped that her stepmother may grow to love her someday.
Unfortunately, as Snow White grew older, she grew more beautiful. She was kind to her stepmother, and to the animals that visited her when she sang. Her singing even attracted the prince to her who immediately fell in love with her.
Yet, Snow White didn’t just fall into the prince’s arms. She was resilient in her own way, even though she didn’t know it.
When the stepmother decides to have her killed, Snow White’s kindness saves her once again. The Huntsman, who was sent to kill her, decided to let her go because he couldn’t bear to kill such a nice person. He risks his own life for her by lying to the queen.
Snow White could have crumbled and sat in a corner, crying that the only family she knew, her stepmother, wanted her dead. Instead, she escaped into the woods, found a cottage, befriended the dwarves, and started a new life.
She never gave up.
This is who Snow White is: a strong character who believed in love and being kind to others despite all the ordeals she went through.
Not many of us would have the courage to endure such a betrayal and believe we could start our life anew.
At the end of the day, Snow White’s belief in love and hope is what brings true love into her life. The Prince did come for her in the end. He truly loved Snow White and brought her back with a kiss.
Over the years, the true message of Snow White has been lost and mostly misconstrued. It is automatically assumed that if Snow White has to enter the modern times, she must be a symbol of feminism and must fight wars to show her strength.
But Snow White wasn’t a soldier. She was a relatable young woman who fought her battles against evil with kindness. She was a symbol of quiet strength.
She was brought up in a toxic environment, and when she was forced to leave, she built a new world for herself, connecting with people who promoted well-being, who weren’t jealous of her, and who accepted her for who she was.
She, in turn, made the dwarves more accepting of outsiders, showing them that they, too were capable of love and kindness.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is a beautiful tale of friendship, resilience, and kindness.
If only future adaptations of the tale would seek out its true message rather than turning it into a story of battle and vengeance.
Also, there’s nothing wrong with believing in true love, is there?
Comments
Post a Comment