In “Little Snow White,” “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” by Joyce Carol Oates, and “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” by Anne Sexton it can be made easier to understand by Bettleheim’s beliefs on fairy tales. Fairy tales, according to a certain theory, help people examine their unconscious brains and deal with psychological concerns. This is true in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” since the protagonist’s thoughts and ambitions ultimately lead to her tragedy. Another theory holds that the evil stepmother in “Little Snow White” depicts the ego’s desire for power and control. This is important in “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” since the opponent is the protagonist’s ego. Bettleheim’s perspectives help in understanding the themes in these works.
Similarly, Anne Sexton’s poem “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” explores into the original fairy tale’s darker elements, such as envy and the desire for power. Sexton’s description of Snow White’s interaction with the dwarfs is especially outstanding since she presents them as flawed persons with their own fears and goals. This is consistent with Bettleheim’s finding that fairy tales help people to confront their own psychological issues by projecting them onto fictitious characters.
3 thoughts on “Dasia Alexander Discussion 15”
Thats a great observation, in many of the stories we have read in this class ambition leads to tragedy. In Oedipus the King, A good man is hard to find and these latest stories we see example of ambition leading to someones ultimate demise. Telling compelling stories is a great way to highlight positive and negative characteristics. It forces the reader to reflect on our own ways and identify with the characters in the story. Maybe even be able to recognize flaws and correct them. In a way it’s like making the world better, one reader at a time.
James, I always love it when students refer to past readings. It makes me know that the ideas have rooted. Comparative analysis demonstrates the use of critical thinking.
Dasia, thanks for starting things off this week. I’d just add that Sexton’s poem has very a different take on “Little Snow White” when compared to Bettleheim’s explication of the story as a coming-of-age narrative. Sexton definitely looks at the fairytale through the lens of feminism.