One observation pointed out to me in Bettelheim’s reading is that he pointed out the jealous Queen, who happened to be Snow White’s stepmother. Snow White, the most beautiful young lady in her land, wanted to enhance her beauty more than how she was. I think about society where celebrities use cosmetology to improve their beauty which sometimes goes over the board that causes their lives. There is always someone out there that envies people for their beauty and sometimes for their accomplishments. It also reminded me of Connie in the story “Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been?” Connie was happy and into herself with her beauty, and her mother was jealous. Connie wasn’t given the traditional parenting advice about talking with strangers or opening the door to strangers, and because of this, she learned the hard way. Connie wasn’t given a chance as Snow White did, even though it was by the dwarfs; Snow White knew how to take on responsibilities like cooking, cleaning, and caring for herself and others. Like Connie, she was all about her beauty, leading her to seek attention from elsewhere. In the end, Snow White becomes a wife, while in Connie’s story, she disappears with a stranger that might have cut her life short. I remember growing up, I loved jewelry to the point where my grandmother used to have talks with me, and one of them was explaining to me that I must not get caught up with vanity because it can lead to danger, which I thanked her for because to this day, not even my wedding ring I want to wear outside.
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2 thoughts on “Ann-Marie Higgins Discussion 15”
Ann-Marie, thanks for the good comments. Yes, I think Bettleheim makes a good case for the education that Snow White receives from the dwarfs. This distinguishes her from Connie, who has not been given any guidance from her parents. You describe how your grandmother spoke to you when you were younger and obsessed with jewelry, warning you of the dangers of the dangers of vanity—especially with jewelry, which someone might want to rob!
I like how you incorporated your own personal experience of liking jewelry but knowing not to get too caught up with vanity because your grandmother had a talk with you. It’s important to know these things especially with the world we live in today. Connie was so caught up with her beauty, that she ended up leaving with the stranger at her door. He probably made her feel even more good about herself and young girls can fall for these words easily.