Fairy Tales and Gender Roles in the Disney Show Snow White - Essay Example

Fairy tales and Gender roles in the Disney show ‘Snow White’ Introduction Fairy tales are short stories which involve fantasy characters that are shown to have certain characteristics or roles that relate to modern society. A fairy tale can be distinguished from other tales like those praising legends or heroes since they are usually characterized by a certain degree of satisfaction (Greenway, Jennifer, and Erin, 10). Fairy tales mostly have a happy ending, with either the weak becoming strong in the end, or the wicked paying for the mistakes and agony they have caused onto others. They are characterized by unusual happiness, bliss, romantic twists and finally the happily ever after ending. They seem to brig inspiration to the reader or viewer of the fairy tale. Fairy tale stories are meant to describe a life that is none existent. Sometimes they show a legendary figure who emerged as a result of a historical event (Greenway, Jennifer, and Erin, 14). They are used as a teaching tool in schools and can bring about the much needed knowledge by students about how this came to be. Fairy tales do not usually focus outside certain aspects like places, people, and certain religion. They derive their story more from a certain time in life: in that they do not dwell on the present, instead, they are more of a past time in history. They are characterized by a beginning, “once upon a time”, and an ending, “…happily ever after” (Greenway, Jennifer, and Erin, 33). In this essay, attention will be focused on one of the most famous fairy tales, Snow White. This fairy tale teaches and shows a lot, despite being a fairy tale that is based on fantasy. This literary piece of writing contains certain attributes that relate to gender roles, values that are important to both sexes, the existence of evil and the influence that the fairy tale has on society. In the film, the house chores are done by a happy Snow White who entertains herself by singing loudly. Here, the film goes on to show that such a girl, who at the time is cleaning and cooking, is happy despite her work. She is in a joyful mood despite working for people who do not treat her in accordance to how she is supposed to be treated. At this point, it is safe to say that she is doing chores usually designed for a woman. From the cooking, doing the dishes and cooking, women play their role in society without questioning why they are doing it. Snow White, despite the jobs being tiresome, performs her duties without complaining (Greenway, Jennifer, and Erin, 15). She has come to understand her role in society. In society, women are bound to perform certain tasks in their homes, or in places they live. It goes on to show that they have accepted that as their role and that it is them that should perform them. The film was produced during the great depression when women were not allowed to work in farms and industries, but were to stay at home and do house chores (Stahly and Robert, 97). The film depicts women values such as being industrious, dutiful and longsuffering by snow white way of living and handling issues. From this, a lesson can be learnt; that even though women play their roles since it is they that should, they have other characteristics that are bound to grow on other people. When Snow White accidentally came upon a cottage in the middle of the forest after being released by the queens’ servant, she goes in, at this point showing her curiosity, and falls asleep till she is discovered by the dwarves. Her curiosity brought upon her good fortune. It could have brought her disaster, since entering a house whose owner(s) is not present could lead to certain consequences. Meeting with the seven dwarves, playing her role in ensuring they ate at the required moment and cleaning, goes on a long way to show just how women’s roles fit into society. Traditional and modern society have one thing in common; in that the roles that each member of the opposite sex performs. Snow White shows how women are supposed to be like in society. In the film, Snow White takes the role of a home maker. She makes the dwarves home more lively and homely by making sure that it is clean (Greenway, Jennifer, and Erin, 23). She is appealing to the dwarves, a contributor to the many reasons that the dwarves have decided to stay with her. The same interesting and innocent nature is also one of the reasons that she was released instead of being killed. She is patient in all she does, ensuring that she does everything to perfection. She may be slow at her work, but the outcome is very pleasing. Her calm nature makes her look harmless, which is a fact because she is not a violent person. Young as she is, she is productive no matter the environment that she is in. While working, she follows the orders given to her by the queen, though not her real mother. Her appealing nature and beauty brings about hatred from the queen, who cannot stand to see anyone more beautiful than her. The fairy tale is filled with fantasies that can only occur in one’s imagination, like the talking mirror. As a young princess, she doesn’t go to on to show off her title to other people. The desire to protect her by the dwarves and her friends comes from her characteristics (Greenway, Jennifer, and Erin, 38). As a young woman, she wins the hearts of many by showing her kindness to people. She is pure, a trait that brings in more hatred from the queen. The step mother is a contradictory image to Snow White in character since she is seen as active and evil. From this, it shows that women get more attention from the fact that they have the appeal to demand for that attention and love (Stahly and Robert, 98). They need to be loved and cherished, and only then will their true nature emerge. Had Snow White not have been showed love by her father, her mother who died, friends and the dwarves, she would probably have turned out to be like the beautiful but evil queen. Women need to be loved, cherished and protected as it is only after such an act that their true potential comes to light (Stahly and Robert, 100). The aspect that women require protection and companionship is seen when Snow White is poisoned at the time she was alone in the house. Snow White is left alone in the house after the seven dwarves go about their daily routine. The evil step mother comes to learn of her existence, and plans to poison her. Jealousy is the trait that the evil step mother possesses. Snow White, vulnerable and alone, is poisoned by the evil queen, who disguises herself as one selling apples. Had Snow White been in company of the dwarves or anyone else, she would not have fallen victim to the trap. Women need companionship, since they are mostly in a vulnerable state when alone. Their gender is more prone to attack, hence, the required need for companionship and protection (Stahly and Robert, 98). Men responsibility is depicted in the film; for example, taking care of the family just like the dwarves worked to provide food and security to Snow White. The dwarves know that someone as charming and beautiful like Snow White deserves another just like her. The role of the prince in marrying her is that he can offer protection, companionship and the much needed love that she lacks from her step mother. Rich men in the movie are highly esteemed and it was every woman wish to marry one. Snow White at times gazes and hopes that she will get married to a prince who is wealthy (Stahly and Robert, 103). It is her wish that she lives a comfortable life full of love and compassion. Here, it can clearly be seen that women would love to live a comfortable life, one which they will be protected at all times from certain harm. Women seem happier when they are in assurance that they are in the hands of someone who caters for them. Men who are rich seem to carry themselves differently from those who do not have wealthy possessions. The film goes on to show the contrast in character of the people present. Snow Whites’ mother, who dies wishes for a very beautiful daughter, and her wish is granted when Snow White is given unto her. From the wish she makes, it can be seen that she is a mother who is very loving and compassionate. Her role as a mother is seen by the way she loves Snow White. Snow White on the other hand shows her motherly nature when she ensures that the dwarves eat their food and are clean at all times (Greenway, Jennifer, and Erin, 45)She takes the role of motherhood from an early age. Women’s roles as mothers are clearly shown in this section. Her interests are pure, and this are passed on to her daughter. When the king remarries and the evil step mother comes into play, she is the exact opposite of Snow Whites’ mother. She may be beautiful, but she has more evil in her than the beauty she possesses. She is the exact opposite of Snow White herself. Her evil, jealous and a malicious will to destroy the loving, compassionate and beautiful Snow White ends with a happily ever after note, after she marries the prince in the end. Works Cited Stahly, Geraldine B, and Robert A. Corrigan. Gender Identity, Equity, and Violence: Multidisciplinary Perspectives Through Service Learning. Sterling, Va: Stylus, 2007 Greenway, Jennifer, and Erin Augenstine. Snow White. Kansas City: Andrews and McMeel, 1991. Print. Read More