Snow White

When I read the 1812 Grimms' version of Snow White, one aspect always strikes me—the queen's intense jealousy of a seven-year-old child. It makes me wonder about the queen's age in the story. Could she have been married at 14 and now finds herself at 19, consumed by jealousy? Is it truly just about beauty, or is there something deeper at play?

The story doesn’t tell us much about the queen’s role in Snow White’s upbringing. Was she the primary caregiver, or did nurses and nannies handle those duties? This absence of detail raises questions about the nature of the queen's jealousy. No siblings are mentioned, a fact that would be unusual for a noblewoman expected to provide heirs—especially sons. Could this jealousy stem from the queen’s possible inability to conceive? Perhaps the sight of Snow White, the beautiful daughter of the previous wife, is a constant reminder of her own perceived shortcomings.

Interestingly, some believe the tale of Snow White may have been inspired by the real-life story of Countess Margaretha von Waldeck, a pale-skinned beauty with black hair who allegedly caught the eye of Philip II of Spain. Tragically, she died at just 21, and it's suspected that she was poisoned based on letters about her deteriorating health sent to her father.

The connection to the seven dwarves also has a historical basis. Margaretha’s father owned copper mines, and in the mid-1500s, child labor was common. The young miners, often stunted in growth due to malnutrition and the harsh conditions, were referred to as “poor dwarves.” This might be the origin of the seven dwarves in the Snow White story. In fact, the village of Bergfreiheit, once home to these child miners, has embraced this legend, renaming itself Schneewittchendorf, or “Snow White Village.”

Early versions of the tale differ significantly, with Snow White’s biological mother playing the antagonist instead of a stepmother. Other versions feature evil older sisters, fairies, poisonous flowers, and even poisoned stockings, cats, a trout, and an eagle.

The tale of Snow White is not confined to Europe—it spans the globe, from the Middle East to China, India, and Africa. While it is believed to have originated on the Balkan Peninsula, variations of the story can be found across a vast geographical area, with the majority of versions coming from Germany and Italy.

There’s so much more to the story of Snow White that invites deeper discussion. For instance, consider the significance of youth and beauty during the time period when this tale originated. These themes are still very much alive today, played out in front of us on social media, where the pressure to maintain beauty and youth is relentless. It’s not hard to imagine a similar story unfolding in real life—a mother or stepmother, driven by jealousy or fear, feeling threatened by her daughter's or stepdaughter’s beauty and resorting to drastic measures.

We could also explore why Snow White continues to captivate us in modern media, from animated films to TV shows and plays. Why does this tale resonate so deeply with our culture, and why do we often sanitize its darker themes when we retell it?

As you can see, Snow White is far more than a simple fairy tale—it's a story rich with layers of meaning and historical connections that still echo in our lives today.

What do you think is the true source of the queen’s jealousy in Snow White? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Grimms. Snow White. 1812. PinkMonkey, https://pinkmonkey.com/dl/library1/story158.pdf.

The History of Snow White. Elgiva Box Office, https://elgiva.com/snow-white-history/#:~:text=Is%20Snow%20White%20a%20true,Catholic%20and%20Margaretha%20a%20Lutheran.

Snow White. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_White#:~:text=Eckhard%20Sander%2C%20a%20teacher%2C%20claimed,and%20not%20at%20all%20convincing.%22. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.