Anne Sexton’s retelling of Snow White focuses on the objectification and sexualization of Snow White. And has the theme that girls who are objectified in society, often grow up to be part of the system that harmed them as a child. Throughout the retelling, Snow White is repeatedly referred to as having “China blue doll-eyes”, her virgin status was also pointed out multiple times. The act of calling Snow White a doll throughout the poem, gives the sense of her being inanimate and helpless to the forces around her. Snow White is a character goggled at for her beauty, not her wit, personality, nor her kindness. In the original story the only character trait she is gifted with is naivety. The Queen hated her because of her beauty. The dwarves trusted her quickly because of her beauty. And the Prince fell in love with her immediately because of her beauty. In this fairytale world all of her value is held in her beauty and Virgin status. Making the ending of this retelling very interesting.
“Meanwhile Snow White held court,
rolling her china-blue doll eyes open and
shut
and sometimes referring to her mirror
as women do.” (Sexton)
One can suppose that Snow White grows up to become much like the Evil Queen. The phrase “as women do” reminds me of real world stereotypes. Women are often to reffered to as naturally catty and competitive in their relationships to other women.
Bettelheim has a much more optimistic view on the story of Snowwhite. “Many fairy-tale heroes, at a crucial point in their development, fall into deep sleep or are reborn. Each reawakening or rebirth symbolizes the reaching of a higher stage of maturity and understanding.” Though this may be the case for some fairy tales I don’t think this is the case for snow white. I disagree with his analysis, and agree more with Sexton’s because how could this be a coming of age story, if we have no idea who Snow White is behind her pretty face. We don’t see her character grow from a girl into a woman and the challenges that come with that. Snow White is not fleshed out enough as a character, to have the rebirth and renewal he speaks of. In this fairy tale we see a story that has a series of unfortunate events, followed by a series of more fortunate ones.
One thought on “Patricia Jackson Week 11 Discussion”
This is a very insightful and thorough discussion of the poem contrasted with Bettleheim’s more favorable view of the Snow White story. And yes, the ending of the poem is quite dire as we Snow White taking on all the superficial attributes of the Queen.