Examining Littile Snow-White Through a Post-colonial perspective
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Examining Littile Snow-White Through a Post-colonial perspective
When examining "Snow White" from a post-colonial perspective, it becomes clear that the story is an
allegory to the power relations of colonization, along with resistance to such power. The relations between Snow
White, the Queen, and the dwarfs give an indication of the relationship that exists between the colonized and
colonial powers and the intermediaries who ruled these relations. This helps understand the fairy tale and how
many colonial narratives are part of what seems to be a simple fairy tale.
The character of Snow White herself might be seen as the land or people of a colony who are most often, if
not always, idealized by the light of purity and natural beauty. This idolization is evident from the Queen's demand
to bring her "a child as white as snow, as red as blood, and as black as the wood in this frame" (Grimm 1), at its
very inception. That reflects nothing else but the colonial longing for the "Other" to create and transform the
"Other" into a beautiful thing according to their standards. The later life of Snow White in the forest with the
dwarfs could be looked at as a metaphor for the exploitation of the colonized lands and people. It is that the dwarfs
do symbolize the local elites or intermediaries. Snow White possibly symbolizes the toil and presence they get
from her while she is secured from power (the Queen).
Thus, the Queen's obsession first with being the "fairest of all" and then her attempt to kill Snow White can
both be read as metaphors for the ultimately self-destructive character of the colonial desire to be superior and in
control. The magic mirror, which functions in the Queen's service by reporting to and presenting the Queen with
images of her supremacy, might easily be read to symbolize something that would justify colonial domination—in
this case, the colonizing human is naturally superior to the other. What the Queen does by deceitfully transforming
herself to get into the dwarfs' house and being able to harm Snow White is the perfect replica of what colonial
powers do in conquering and assimilating a colonized people.
The role of the dwarfs within the story underlines the great position of the go-betweens or subaltern groups,
those who are pressed by colonial pressures of dominance. Their first embrace of Snow White and attempts to
safeguard her from the Queen could be seen as resistance to the harmful influences of the colonizer. However, the
very fact of not being able to save Snow White themselves until the prince arrived can still be criticized, not only in
its comparison with subaltern resistance but also in suggesting that there is still a need for a power to challenge the
colonial authority.
From a post-colonial perspective, reading "Snow White" gives the surface story of colonial desire,
domination, and resistance. This story brings the characters of Snow White, the Queen, and the dwarfs together to
allegorically illustrate the dynamics of colonial power relations and how the struggle of the colonized could
proceed towards the achievement of their independent and free status. therefore better placed to understand how
colonial narratives persevere in such cultural texts, while at the same time providing potential space for the
contestation and reinterpretation of the same. The above analysis is, therefore, not only an enrichment in our
appreciation of "Snow White" but does illustrate the importance of employing critical theories in bringing forth the
complex meanings anchored in traditional stories.
Works Cited
Lye, John.
An Introduction to Post-Colonialism, Post-colonial Theory and Post-colonial Literature
,
https://art.washington.edu/sites/art/files/documents/about/an_introduction_to_post-colonialism_post-colonial_th
eory_and_post-colonial_literature.pdf. Accessed 3 March 2024.
YouTube: Home
, 9 November 2017,
https://tvdsb.elearningontario.ca/content/CT/ENG4UPU01/ENG4UPU01A04/docs/SnowWhite.pdf?_&d2lSessi
onVal=gTwjwc94n5F0ExwMmQmyEv1aD&ou=8071616. Accessed 3 March 2024.
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Works Cited
YouTube: Home
, 9 November 2017,
https://tvdsb.elearningontario.ca/content/CT/ENG4UPU01/ENG4UPU01A04/docs/SnowWhite.pdf?_&d2lSes
sionVal=gTwjwc94n5F0ExwMmQmyEv1aD&ou=8071616. Accessed 3 March 2024.
Lye, John.
An Introduction to Post-Colonialism, Post-colonial Theory and Post-colonial Literature
,
https://art.washington.edu/sites/art/files/documents/about/an_introduction_to_post-colonialism_post-colonial_t
heory_and_post-colonial_literature.pdf. Accessed 3 March 2024.