Snow White Discussion Q's

1. In their article "The Queen's Looking Glass," academics Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar write, of the classic Snow-White story, "When we first encounter [Snow White's stepmother], she is framed in a magic looking glass, just as her predecessor [the first queen, Snow White's mother] ... had been framed in a window. To be caught and trapped in a mirror rather than a window, however, is to be driven inward, obsessively studying self-images as if seeking a viable self ... The second Queen [(the stepmother)] is doomed to the inward search that ... is necessitated by a state from which all outward prospects have been removed." (202)

A. Start by paraphrasing Gilbert and Gubar's analysis in your own words. What are they saying in the above paragraph?:

a. The first impression of the Evil step queen is of her looking into a mirror, whereas Snow Whites mom is first seen speaking out towards a window. They are similar, however a mirror reflects back to oneself, but the window looks further out into the world. The evil step queen was destined to be trapped in her own world and schemes from the start.

B. In your chosen version of Snow White, how do you see Snow White's stepmother being in "a state from which all outward prospects have been removed"? What choices are available to her in the story? In what ways is she restricted? Quote at least once from the text to back up your claims.

b. In the Grimm version of Snow White, the queen finds joy and happiness in knowing that she is the "fairest of all". One day, when the mirror responded that Snow White was the fairest, she wanted to "remove" Snow White from the picture so she can return to being the fairest. This was one of the choices available to her as the Queen with the power of the mirror that tells the truth. As told in the Fairytale, the Queen felt that "unless she herself was the fairest in the land, she would never be able to feel anything but envy". She is restricted from accomplishing her goal because she is under the dwarf's protection, and in the end, under the protection of the prince, her husband.

C. What do you notice about the king's presence in this story? How is his presence - or absence - evident in the story? What choices are available to the king? Quote at least once from the text to back up your claims.

c. The Kings Presence is absent throughout most of the story. The only time he is mentioned in the Grimm fairytale is when Snow's stepmother is introduced. It is said that "A year later the king married another woman.". If he were more apparent in Snow White's life, he would possibly be able to intervene in with the Queen's murderous attempts or attend her wedding.

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2. Gilbert and Gubar claim that "female bonding is extraordinarily difficult in patriarchy: women almost inevitably turn against women because the voice of the looking glass sets them against each other." (203)

A. Do you agree with this claim? Why or why not?

I do not agree that it is "extraordinarily difficult" for women to bond, especially now. It has become more progressive as the years go by, especially because of how women can connect and relate to one another through social media, or simply just realize that the reason they pit themselves against one another is because of men. However, its not all perfect and there can be some instances of it being difficult for women to bond. This can happen between mother and daughter, when the mother does not like their child "surpassing" them. The hate can stem from their own insecurity they built because of men.

B. How do you see these dynamics manifest (or not) in your chosen tale? Quote at least once from the text to back up your claims.

b. The dynamic did manifest in the chosen tale. The Queen could not accept when the mirror told the truth as was even willing to die. The queen said began "trembling with rage", saying "Snow White must die[...]Even if it cost my life".

C. Does your tale challenge these dynamics in any way? If so, how?

c. The tale I chose does not challenge these dynamics because one of the main themes prevalent in Snow White is that it was difficult, and in this case impossible, for the Queen and Snow White to coexist. The step mother, under her own will, pit herself against Snow White.

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3. Gilbert and Gubar also contend that Snow White's life with the dwarves (in the classic version of the tale) is "an important part of her education in submissive femininity, for in serving them she learns essential lessons of service, of selflessness, of domesticity ... that at this point Snow White is a housekeeping angel in a tiny house conveys the story's attitude toward 'woman's world and woman's work': the realm of domesticity is a miniaturized kingdom in which the best of women is not only like a dwarf but like a dwarf's servant." (205)

A. Do you agree with this claim? Why or why not?

a. I do agree that Snow White's life with the dwarfs was a part of her education in "submissive femininity" because the dwarfs didn't really need a housekeeper to begin with. Furthermore, taking into consideration the time period this was written in, I can assume women didn't have much freedom and were expected to do domestic work.

B. How do you see these dynamics manifest (or not) in your chosen tale? Quote at least once from the text to back up your claims.

b. I see this dynamic manifest in the Grimm version of Snow White because their home was already "indescribably dainty and spotless" when she arrived however, they had her do house chores in exchange for living there. While they "went up to the mountains in search of mineral and gold", she had to

C. Does your tale challenge these dynamics in any way? If so, how?

c. This tale does not challenge these dynamics, it supports it.