Jack and the Beanstalk: The Worst Protagonist Ever?
Snow White Writes » Fairy Tales
by Snow White
2w ago
It’s been decades since the classic fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk has even crossed my mind. But I certainly remember all the good parts: spontaneously growing vines, magic kingdoms in the clouds, a hen that lays golden eggs, and the terror of a giant’s approaching footsteps. I was excited to dive into the original text of this adventure story to find out exactly how much I’d forgotten. Now that I’ve reread it, I can say with certainty . . . Jack Is Kind of the Worst Truly. This is the shallowest fairy tale I think I’ve analyzed so far on Snow White Writes. And that’s mostly because the mai ..read more
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Is Love at First Sight Real?
Snow White Writes » Fairy Tales
by Snow White
1M ago
Well folks, it’s that time of year again for chocolate and valentines. Also the time when everyone who isn’t in a relationship questions everything about their lives and everyone IN relationships questions all their overblown expectations. But in all seriousness, I’m a fully recovered Valentine’s Day hater who now enjoys this holiday every year with my gorgeous husband. That being said, I totally get why many (or most?) people despise this holiday. Zero judgment from me. And despite now enjoying February 14, I still approach our culture’s demanding expectations of romance with a healthy dose o ..read more
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Magic Mirrors in Fairy Tales: A Reflection on a Timeless Symbol
Snow White Writes » Fairy Tales
by Snow White
5M ago
There’s a famous quote out there from Scottish author George MacDonald: “All mirrors are magic mirrors.” And I don’t think George was wrong. Mirrors are capable of creating mind-bending optical illusions, making rooms look bigger, and even generating infinite images. Seeing your own reflection can be a pretty uncanny experience, one that most of us are desensitized to. Everyone can afford a mirror these days, but mirrors were once an expensive luxury owned only by the rich. This combination of rareness and mystique is probably why magic mirrors have become such a hallmark of storytelling—and s ..read more
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How NOT to Be a Fairy Tale Parent
Snow White Writes » Fairy Tales
by Snow White
6M ago
So big announcement: I had a baby! My daughter, Juliet, was born just over a month ago, and her arrival has turned my life upside down in the most wild and wonderful way imaginable. I was so stressed out about becoming a parent that it never even occurred to me that this new era might be awesome. Hard and very sleep deprived? Of course. But also the best! Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I would ever blog again after having a baby, but here we are, already reclaiming some of the activities I enjoy. I’m surprised, but also satisfied. Obviously parenting is on my mind day and night lately, so I’d ..read more
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The Princess and the Pea: A Weird Little Romp with Royalty
Snow White Writes » Fairy Tales
by Snow White
8M ago
Newsflash: I haven’t been getting much sleep lately. Being nine months pregnant and perpetually anxious will do that, but instead of dwelling on my sleepless nights, I’d rather write about a particular Danish fairy tale that features another woman who seriously can’t sleep. Sleeping Beauty’s polar opposite, if you will. Of course I’m referring to “The Princess and the Pea” by the venerable Hans Christian Andersen. I’ve adored this story from a young age. Its distinct imagery and kooky premise is just delightful, and this story has many, many fantastic adaptations. But today, let’s dive into th ..read more
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10 Memorable Fairy Tales with Babies
Snow White Writes » Fairy Tales
by Snow White
11M ago
A couple weeks ago, I shared some exciting news with friends and family: Andy and I are expecting our first baby! In light of this development, all things baby have pretty much taken over my life for several months. My days are now filled with maternity clothes and registries, comparison shopping for strollers and taking prenatal vitamins, choosing nursery decor and planning out the summer leading up to my due date. Also trying not to lose my sanity as I’m preparing for every aspect of my life to change. In the midst of all this baby chaos, I was pondering what to write about this week and set ..read more
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Tatterhood: A Tale of Twins and Transformations
Snow White Writes » Fairy Tales
by Snow White
11M ago
A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about hunger in fairy tales, a topic I’ve wanted to tackle for quite a while. As I was researching all the fairy tale food references, I stumbled across an obscure story I haven’t thought about in years: Tatterhood from Norway. This story is a classic Aarne-Thompson folktale type 711—about beautiful and ugly twins—collected by Norwegian folklorists Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe in the mid-nineteenth century. And it’s a pretty fantastic little fairy tale if you ask me. I admit that I’d never actually read it until recently, but I had heard of it. I ..read more
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Why All Fairy Tales Are About Hunger
Snow White Writes » Fairy Tales
by Snow White
1y ago
It should surprise no one that people have been reading, collecting, and analyzing fairy tales for as long as storytelling has existed. They’re about as old as civilization itself. There are plenty of interesting theories about the fairy tale genre, and I’ve stumbled across many of them in my time of researching and studying them in an academic setting. But there’s one theory that’s fascinated me since I first stumbled across it years ago. At their core, all fairy tales have one universal theme: they’re always about hunger. In case you’re wondering, this is totally my moment to use all the del ..read more
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5 Unusual Messages of Fairy Tale Love
Snow White Writes » Fairy Tales
by Snow White
1y ago
February is a good time to think about relationships. How we can love our significant others better. And perhaps a time to open up the classics and read historical accounts of couples riding off into the sunset. There’s a lot to learn from fairy tale love. In honor of Valentine’s Day, let’s go on a literary tour of fairy tale courtship and all the—ahem—unusual twists and turns that bring fated lovers together. In the spirit of the holiday, here are five undeniable relationship lessons we can glean from fairy tale love stories. (Warning: In case it isn’t abundantly clear, these tips are meant t ..read more
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9 Ways the Original Snow Queen is Nothing Like Frozen
Snow White Writes » Fairy Tales
by Snow White
1y ago
So . . . I have a confession to make: I am not a fan of the Disney movie Frozen. I know, I know! This is a killing offense in certain circles, but before you come for me with pitchforks, allow me to explain. The movie is definitely funny and great for kids, and I do like some of the songs that haven’t been played to death. But when it comes to the actual story of Frozen? I’m not a fan of all those plot holes. Or the fact that Frozen barely even resembles its source material, Hans Christian Andersen’s Snow Queen. I like loose adaptations as much as the next girl, but seriously, did the Disney t ..read more
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