Snow White is a famous fairy tale character, originally from a German story that was popularized by the Brothers Grimm in their 1812 collection Grimm's Fairy Tales. The tale has since become one of the most enduring and widely known stories in Western culture. Snow White is particularly famous for being the title character of Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, the first full-length animated feature film, which was released in 1937.
The Story of Snow White:
The basic plot of the fairy tale is as follows:
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Snow White's Birth: Snow White is the daughter of a beautiful queen who wishes for a daughter with skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony. When the queen dies, Snow White's father, the king, remarries a wicked stepmother who is jealous of Snow White's beauty.
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The Wicked Queen's Jealousy: The stepmother, who is a vain and cruel woman, has a magical mirror that tells her she is the fairest in the land. However, when Snow White grows up, the mirror informs the queen that Snow White has surpassed her in beauty. Filled with jealousy and rage, the queen orders a huntsman to take Snow White into the forest and kill her.
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Snow White's Escape: The huntsman, unable to kill Snow White, lets her go, and Snow White finds refuge in a cottage belonging to seven dwarfs who work as miners. The dwarfs protect her, warning her to stay away from strangers.
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The Queen's Attempts to Kill Snow White: The evil queen discovers that Snow White is still alive and decides to take matters into her own hands. She disguises herself as an old woman and offers Snow White a poisoned apple. Snow White, believing the old woman, takes a bite and falls into a deep, death-like sleep.
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The Prince's Kiss: Eventually, a prince who has fallen in love with Snow White hears of her plight and arrives at the cottage. He kisses her, breaking the curse, and Snow White awakens. The prince and Snow White are reunited, and they live happily ever after.
Key Themes:
- Jealousy and Vanity: The story emphasizes the destructive power of jealousy, as the queen's obsession with beauty leads her to evil actions.
- Good vs. Evil: Snow White represents innocence and goodness, while the queen embodies evil and selfishness.
- Innocence and Purity: Snow White is often depicted as a pure and kind-hearted character, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.
Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937):
- Directed by: David Hand
- Plot: Disney's version of Snow White is a more family-friendly, animated adaptation of the original fairy tale. It retains most of the plot elements but is famous for introducing the seven dwarfs with individual names: Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey.
- Significance: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was Disney’s first feature-length animated film, and it marked a major milestone in animation history. It was a commercial and critical success, setting the foundation for Disney’s future in animation.
Impact and Legacy:
- Cultural Impact: Snow White has become a symbol of fairy tales and has been adapted into countless other forms, from books and plays to television shows and movies.
- Merchandise: Snow White is one of the most iconic Disney Princesses and is featured in various merchandise, theme park attractions, and shows.
- Influence on Animation: Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is considered a masterpiece of early animation and set a precedent for future animated films.
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