Snow White: The Original Brothers Grimm Fairytale

Hey guys! Ever wondered about the real story of Snow White? You know, before Disney sprinkled its magic dust all over it? Well, buckle up, because we're diving deep into the original Brothers Grimm version! It’s a wild ride filled with envy, talking mirrors, poisoned apples, and a whole lot more. Let's get started!

The Tale Begins: A Queen's Obsession

The story kicks off with a queen, not just any queen, but one obsessed with being the fairest of them all. This isn't your sweet, singing Disney queen, folks. This queen is driven by vanity and consumed by her reflection. Imagine waking up every day and the only thing that matters is whether you're prettier than everyone else. Yikes!

Our queen spends her days gazing into a magical mirror, constantly asking, "Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who in this land is fairest of all?" For a while, the mirror flatters her, confirming her supreme beauty. Life is good, the kingdom is running (sort of), and everything is as it should be. But then, dun dun DUN, Snow White enters the scene.

Born with skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony, Snow White is the epitome of beauty. Seriously, she sounds like a walking, talking work of art. As Snow White grows, so does her beauty, surpassing that of the queen. And the mirror? It spills the tea, telling the queen that Snow White is now the fairest in the land. Can you imagine how the queen feels? Her whole world is crumbling! This is where the real drama begins, and the queen’s obsession turns from vanity to deadly envy.

This initial setup is crucial. It sets the stage for the queen’s descent into madness and highlights the destructive nature of unchecked vanity. It's not just about being pretty; it's about power, control, and the desperate need to be validated. The original Grimm tale doesn't hold back on portraying the queen's dark side, making her a truly terrifying villain.

The Huntsman's Dilemma: A Moral Crossroads

The queen, unable to stomach the thought of Snow White being more beautiful, orders a huntsman to take Snow White into the woods and, well, kill her. Yeah, it’s harsh! And to prove the deed is done, she demands Snow White's lungs and liver as proof. Talk about a gruesome request!

The huntsman, however, is not a cold-blooded killer. He takes Snow White into the woods, but upon seeing her innocence and beauty, he can’t bring himself to do it. He’s at a moral crossroads, torn between obeying his queen and doing what's right. Can you feel the tension? He chooses mercy, sparing Snow White's life and instead bringing the queen the lungs and liver of a young wild boar, which she, in her twisted mind, believes are Snow White's.

This decision by the huntsman is a pivotal moment in the story. It highlights the theme of good versus evil and the power of compassion. The huntsman’s act of kindness sets Snow White on her journey, but it also seals the queen’s fate. Her insatiable desire for beauty and control blinds her to the truth, leading her further down a path of wickedness. The huntsman's dilemma underscores the idea that even in the darkest of times, there is always a choice to be made, and that choice can have profound consequences.

Life with the Dwarfs: A Temporary Haven

Snow White, now alone and lost in the woods, stumbles upon a tiny cottage. Exhausted and scared, she enters and finds a table set with seven small plates, cups, and utensils. After eating a little food and drinking some wine from each plate, she’s so tired that she falls asleep on one of the seven beds. When the seven dwarfs, the cottage's inhabitants, return from their day of mining, they discover Snow White.

They are initially surprised, but captivated by her beauty, they allow her to stay. Snow White, in return, keeps house for them, cooking and cleaning while they are away at work. It’s a simple, almost idyllic life. For a while, Snow White finds a sense of safety and belonging. The dwarfs warn her to be careful and not to let anyone into the house while they are gone, because you never know who might be lurking around.

This part of the story offers a brief respite from the queen’s evil machinations. It showcases the theme of friendship and community. The dwarfs, though initially cautious, welcome Snow White into their home and provide her with shelter and protection. This interlude allows Snow White to experience kindness and generosity, reinforcing her inherent goodness and making her an even more sympathetic character. However, this peace is not meant to last, as the queen's envy knows no bounds.

The Queen's Disguises: A Series of Deceptions

The mirror, once again, reveals that Snow White is still alive and still the fairest in the land. The queen, enraged, decides to take matters into her own hands. She disguises herself as an old peddler woman and visits the dwarfs' cottage. Under the guise of selling wares, she offers Snow White a beautiful lace corset. But, surprise, surprise, it’s a trap! The corset is laced so tightly that Snow White faints, appearing dead. The queen returns home, believing her problem is finally solved.

The dwarfs, returning home to find Snow White motionless, remove the corset, and she revives. They warn her again to be careful and not to trust strangers. But the queen is not one to give up easily. She disguises herself again, this time as a comb vendor. She offers Snow White a beautiful comb, but it’s poisoned! As soon as Snow White combs her hair, she falls into a deep, death-like sleep. Once again, the queen is convinced she has succeeded.

The dwarfs, heartbroken, remove the comb, and Snow White awakens. They reiterate their warning, but the queen is relentless. In her final and most insidious disguise, she appears as a simple farmer's wife offering apples. She gives Snow White a poisoned apple, and this time, there’s no one around to save her. Snow White takes a bite and falls into a coma. The dwarfs, unable to revive her, place her in a glass coffin, mourning her death.

This series of deceptions highlights the queen’s cunning and determination. She is willing to go to any lengths to eliminate Snow White, constantly devising new and creative ways to trick her. Each disguise is more elaborate than the last, showcasing the queen's descent into madness. The repeated warnings from the dwarfs emphasize Snow White’s innocence and vulnerability, making her fate all the more tragic. The poisoned apple is the ultimate symbol of the queen’s evil, representing the corruption of something seemingly innocent and wholesome.

The Prince's Arrival: A Twist of Fate

Time passes, and Snow White lies in her glass coffin, seemingly lifeless. One day, a prince happens to be riding through the forest and sees the coffin. Captivated by Snow White’s beauty, he begs the dwarfs to let him have the coffin. Initially, they refuse, but eventually, they relent. As the prince's servants are carrying the coffin away, they stumble, and the jolt dislodges the piece of poisoned apple from Snow White’s throat.

Snow White awakens! The prince, overjoyed, declares his love for her and asks her to marry him. Snow White, equally smitten, accepts his proposal. They plan their wedding, and everyone is invited, including, unknowingly, the wicked queen.

This is a classic fairytale trope, the prince charming swooping in to save the day. However, in the original Grimm version, the prince’s arrival is more about fate than true love’s kiss. It’s a lucky accident that saves Snow White, rather than a magical intervention. This twist of fate underscores the idea that sometimes, even in the darkest of circumstances, there is hope for a happy ending. The prince's infatuation with Snow White’s beauty reinforces the theme of beauty as both a blessing and a curse.

The Queen's Punishment: Justice Served

The queen, still obsessed with being the fairest, attends the wedding. Upon seeing Snow White alive and well, and realizing that she is now the fairest of them all, she is filled with uncontrollable rage. But this time, there’s no escape for her. As punishment for her wickedness, she is forced to wear red-hot iron shoes and dance until she dies. Talk about a grim ending!

This ending is a stark contrast to the Disney version, where the queen simply falls off a cliff. The original Grimm tale doesn’t shy away from justice, delivering a harsh and brutal punishment that fits the queen’s heinous crimes. It’s a reminder that evil deeds will eventually be met with consequences. The queen’s demise serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of vanity, envy, and unchecked ambition. It’s a dark and unsettling end, but it reinforces the moral of the story: good triumphs over evil, and justice will prevail.

The End: A Grimm Conclusion

So, there you have it! The original Brothers Grimm version of Snow White is a far cry from the sanitized Disney version we all know and love. It’s darker, grittier, and filled with more than a few disturbing details. But it’s also a fascinating glimpse into the world of traditional fairy tales, where morality is black and white, and justice is often served with a heavy hand. What do you think? Did you prefer this version? Let me know in the comments below!