For some reason, the tale of Snow White has always held a special fascination for me.  Sure, there’s a lot of psychological thought in the tale – so much that Freud would be proud.

Beyond that, however, the character seems to be a bit one-sided, but maybe with the potential for growth.  It’s the potential growth that fascinates me.

Without delving into the variants and sticking to the basic Disney story telling, Ms. White likes to keep things in order.  When she lived at the castle, I would like to think she knew her situation was crap and bananas.. after all, she was the daughter of a long-dead king.  Still, she kept the place in order.  The future was murky, if it existed at all, but her environment was orderly and clean… beyond clean, really.  It was gleaming.  She provided the outside structure that needed her to exist.  Ms. White defended and improved upon the castle, built upon the bones of her mother and a broken father.

Eventually, she was ejected from the castle – not because she wasn’t useful, but because she was overly so.  Mentally, spiritually, and physically near-perfect, the Queen – leader of the ‘normal people,’ couldn’t stand to have her around and sent the huntsman to take her heart.  (Note… the heart is reputed to be the source of emotion.  The Queen really didn’t have any, outside of jealousy and envy – which are related to the 7 Deadly Sins.

The Huntsman, of course, couldn’t slay Ms. White and off she went into the forest – a place that was wild, unstructured, and would take a lot of Windex.  Our princess suffered.  She could not care for anything, anyone, or influence the environment.  She lacked control – and this could be why Ms. White is “” near “” perfect.  We all know perfection simply cannot exist on earth.  Maybe her failing was simply she needed power – which is exactly what the dwarf house provided.

Not just a haven in the wild, it was distraught.  The environment and small men who inhabited the dwelling where unclean.  It was wilderness, but within four sturdy walls.  Immediately,  Ms. White began to organize, clean, and provide structure.  After formal introductions, she set about bringing the men up to her specific standards.  She had no qualms about embarrassing, torturing, and even ordering them around – in the most pleasant way – of course.  So here, Ms. White transforms in her step-mother, but without the awesome wardrobe.  She’s the more mild, gentle, but still just as demanding, version of the Queen.

Since there can only be one alpha female per kingdom (queendom?), she sets about to kill Ms. Snow.  Sure– she could have sent another man to do her bidding — but after the first one failed her, why risk failure again?  Men, especially those of lower class rank, are untrustworthy and weak.
–  Here, the Queen, mother of the land (so to speak), transforms into the Crone and leaves a vortex in the Maid/Mother/Crone triangle.  This is not natural…so something has to give… and it does.

We know the Queen/Crone dies.  With the wakening of a kiss, the Ms. White the Maiden starts her journey as Ms. White the Mother.  A new and unknown maiden has to exist somewhere.  Balance is restored… right?

But – given the past tendencies – what is the Prince in for?  Ms. White will impose and apply herself upon his castle.  Since she can’t use the broom herself, she will impose her will upon the servants and her husband.  The existing structure will not be effective, clean, or efficient.  Using others to gain her way — manipulation must be involved — just as surely as Ms. Snow demonstrated with the dwarfs by insisting on nothing – but expecting everything.

Our once “pure” princess will become the new Queen – with the wardrobe – and really neat music.

And – what will Ms. Snow’s daughter develop into…  if she’s allowed to develop at all?