Snow white was the first feature length film for a Disney princess, and its success was off the charts. Even though the film was released during the Great Depression, it made 8 million dollars for Disney, and showed how much people truly loved the movie. This film surpassed the profit of any other film at the time, even though it was released amidst an extreme economic downturn.
The Great Depression was a hard time for so many people, yet the release of Snow White somehow lifted the spirits of so many people while they lived in a deep hole of debt and poverty. It was like an escape, a lighthearted, enjoyable pastime to, even for just one single hour, get out of the turmoil that surrounded so many people. The release of the movie truly awoke people and showed the potential for happiness in a time of such darkness.
It can even be said that The Great Depression itself is reflected in Snow White. In a way, the Queen represents sadness and anxiety -- depression, while the dwarfs represent the way in which this depression can be stopped, always keeping Snow White from danger. While the dwarfs were gone, Snow White was harmed by the Queen, showing how important it is to have happiness in your presence so that depression doesn't take you over. This message sort of ties in the Snow White film's ability to bring people peace in a dark time, while also showing the people living through the depression what types of things they can do to help themselves remain peaceful and perhaps happy while surrounded by the stress and anxiety that come along with the Great Depression.
Overall, Snow White encompasses many values of happiness in addition to the cliche love, and gave people hope during the Great Depression.
Do you agree with the interpretation that the dwarfs were the safeguard against harm, and perhaps represent the aspects of a person that help them get through tough times? And, do you think that Disney purposefully did this, or is it just an extrapolation that people made after the fact?
I do think that Disney did this on purpose. I usually don't pick up on it, because I never know anything about when the films were produced but I enjoy learning about it. I like that the plots of Disney movies extend just beyond a classic fairytale, even if the event they're portraying is a little misportrayed. I also love how Disney has brought people together over the years. You still see people bonding over new releases and finding joy in exploring new stories Disney creates.
ReplyDeleteWow, I think this is a really cool perspective, that the characters represent responses to peril. I think they add happiness to avoid the "depression" and the evil queen. On the other hand, in the work as a whole, they really add light to this eerie murderous tale, and without the dwarves or animals this story would have no place on a children's TV screen.
ReplyDeleteI really like reading the Dwarves as a protection against the hardships of the Depression -- with Snow White as the "light" that needs to be protected.
ReplyDeleteDo you think Snow White could offer a similar message now, during the Pandemic? Or is it too outdated and old-fashioned to be comforting/inspiring?
I think that Snow White could potentially offer the same message, but only to first-time viewers. Seeing something like this over and over seems to take away from the uplifting spirit and happiness that you get from seeing it for the first time because you already know what will happen. It might be a little too boring also, but that depends on who is watching it I guess.
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