Maggie Keir

LIS 804.03
Response


Personal Response to Snow White Variants

Snow White, the fairest of them all, has always been a fairy tale of particular
interest to me. Perhaps it is because the Disney version was the first film I saw in
theaters when it was rereleased in 1993. In any case, delving into the numerous
versions of the tale was a fascinating experience.
The variant closest to the original Grimm that I examined was the Snow
White picture book illustrated by Quentin Greban. It does not shy away from the
darkness of the tale. The Queen is clearly trying to kill Snow White, and she comes to
a grisly end. The last image in the book, the one that lingers, shows her dancing to
death in red-hot iron shoes.
I was surprised, and somewhat amused to come across a paranormal
romance version, Nameless: A Tale of Beauty and Madness. The Snow White in this
version is the adopted daughter of the head of one of the seven ruling families who
are immortal beings. Elements of this story reminded me of both the Godfather
movie but also the Twilight saga.
Continuing the dark theme, I read, Snow, Glass, Apples by Neil Gaiman. This
short story twisted the Snow White tale into one of horror. It is told from the
perspective of the Queen, and it quickly becomes clear to reader why she is
desperate to kill her stepdaughter. The Snow White in this story is not the sweet
young girl that one may assume her to be. She is a fanged, bloodthirsty being who
preys on people in the kingdom, and even her father. The prince who revives her is
equally warped. It is heavily implied that he is a necrophiliac. There is no doubt
that this was the most sexualized variant I came across.
Another variant that aimed to make the Queen/Stepmother sympathetic is
Fairest of All: A Tale of the Wicked Queen. This is not just the other side of the Snow
White story, but the other side of the Disney version of the story. Published under
the Disney Press, it has dialogue straight from the film. It provides reasons for the
Queens descent into vanity and madness that I did not anticipate, though perhaps
being a viewer of Disney/ABCs Once Upon a Time, I should have.
Six-Gun Snow White challenges the problematic implications of holding the
fairest, or rather fairness itself in such high regard. The Snow White in the story is
copper-skinned, and her name is given to her by her stepmother who gave it to her
because white was the one thing she would never be. The allusions to Native
American folklore and old westerns gave this version a distinct American flavor.
Easily the most humorous variant I read was a fractured picture book
version, Seriously, Snow White was So Forgetful! The illustrations in the book evoke
the feel of an animated cartoon, and it keeps a light tone through out, which was
much appreciated after reading some of the darker versions. For example, the
dwarves do not just tell Snow White not to open the door to strangers; they put
post-its all over the doors, windows, and even her breakfast. In the end the Queen
doesnt die from dancing in red-hot shoes, but is pelted off the page with dinner
rolls.
Two other picture book variants gave significantly different cultural contexts
to the traditionally Germanic story. The first, Blanchette et les Sept Petits Cajuns, the
Queen/Stepmother figure becomes a swamp witch voodoo powers, and the seven
dwarves become seven little Cajuns. In Snow White: An Islamic Tale, there are even
more intriguing modifications to the story. The focus is not on Snow Whites beauty,
but her goodness and purity. It also seems to give a greater value to Snow Whites
relationship with other women. Her mother does not pray about having a daughter
with fair skin, dark hair, and red lips. She hopes for a daughter as patient as Job, as
peaceful as dawn, with a heart as pure as snow. The seven dwarves in this version
are all female and each embodies a different virtue. Her future mother in laws
medicine, not a kiss from the prince, saves Snow Whites from eternal slumber. The
wedding to the prince occurs but is downplayed in comparison to the resolution
with Snow Whites stepmother. Snow White makes peace with her, and one can
accept that her change of heart is as much a part of the happily ever after ending
as the marriage to the prince.
Sydney White, a 2007 film, places the Snow White story in a contemporary
setting. The kingdom is a college campus and its Queen is Rachel, the president
of the student council and head of the Sorority Sydney longs to join. I appreciated its
modern spin on the story. I loved the twist that the poisoned apple in this version
turns out to be her laptop, poisoned by virus.
Finally, I located a variant of Snow White that utilized the manga format.
Dictatorial Grimoire was much more of a loose reimagining than a strict retelling,
but the visual element was highly appealing. I could see this being used hook
reluctant readers into reading other fairy tales.
Throughout all of the versions, I enjoyed seeing what elements stayed in the
story, what was reworked, and what was left out. All have value, and when
compared to one another are quite thought provoking.