The Struggle In Ian Grimm's Snow White

“Snow White” is a tale that follows the on-going conflict between Snow White and her stepmother, a conflict otherwise known as the Electra complex. Most overlook, however, the psychological development of the main character, Snow White. An interpretation by Ian Robinson claims that many fairy tales such as “Snow White” involve the breaking of a command or a taboo. He believes there can be no psychological growth until the old rules are broken and the new order can flourish (Robinson). In the Grimm’s “Snow White,” the command or taboo being broken is that of the dwarfs- simply “don’t let anyone in the house” (85). Robinson’s interpretation has major logical problems. If Robinson were correct, Snow White would display psychological growth each time she …show more content…
A prince stumbles upon the glass coffin and sees the “beautiful” Snow White (Brothers 89). As time passes in the coffin, Snow White matures physically and attracts the eye of the prince which is evident when he describes her as “beautiful.” The prince proclaims that Snow White “shall be [his] bride” and carries her out of the forest a mature woman of marrying age (Brothers 89). Snow White ages and matures physically, enough to be taken by the prince as his bride. However, Snow White’s character fails to mature psychologically. Upon her wakening, Snow White discovers “tender feelings for [the prince]” and departs with him at once (Brothers 89). Snow White once again falls to desires and “feelings” and agrees to marry a stranger upon meeting. Although this is a fairy tale, and the tale of “Snow White” ends happily, her character’s hasty decisions in the midst of temptation and desire show how she never psychologically