Are the Disney Princesses Good Role Models? Part 1: Snow White

The Disney Princesses are often topics of criticism. They are too weak, too focused on outwardly beauty, and offer nothing of substance to the world. This criticism is especially apparent in feminist circles. However, just like any other group of people bundled together under one label, there are disagreements.  If you ask a handful of  feminists their opinion on the Disney Princesses, you will get a handful of different answers.

Why are the Disney Princesses even worth the attention of feminists? Walk into any Wal-Mart or Target or toy store and you will get the answer. The Disney Princess line is heavily marketed to young girls all across the world. And anything fed to the minds of the next generation while they’re still impressionable is worthy of examination. Whom these kids decide to emulate is whom they will become. 

The Disney Princesses, of course, are not just limited to children. Disney movies span over decades and generations. Everyone, no matter the age, can learn something from Disney movies. Who will be your role model?

Let’s start with the first Princess. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the world’s first full-length animated feature when it was released in 1937. The title character is a sweet, innocent and kind 14 year old girl. It is with her gentleness that she is able to easily make friends with all of the woodland creatures. And it is with her caring, motherly nature that she is able to make friends with the dwarfs.

Seems like a good role model so far, right?

Not everyone thinks so. One argument made against Snow is that she isn’t the one to save herself. She needs the help of the dwarfs to hide from the Evil Queen and she can only be saved by her prince’s kiss. She never stands up to the Queen. 

Snow doesn’t seem to have any guts at all, in fact. She runs away, rather foolishly, into the dark forest at night and finds monsters at every turn. However, as Taylor Swift once wrote, “the monsters turned out to be just trees”. The scene ends with Snow lying helplessly on the forest floor and sobbing, over monsters that turned out to be just trees. Helplessness and fearfulness are not qualities that are typically admired in American culture. We want a strong, independent woman who don’t need no man. Or 7 of them. 

People often twist the plot, arguing that Snow White only gets what she wants in life because she is just a pretty face. However, the other characters do not like Snow White just because she is beautiful. They like her because she is nice to people. Consider the Huntsman. He is ordered by the Queen to kill Snow White. And he is going to do it. He brings Snow out into the woods so she can pick flowers. But then Snow sees a lost baby bird. Snow White drops everything to go help the baby bird. She talks to him, comforts him, and helps him find his parents. It is then that the Huntsman discovers he cannot find it in his heart to kill Snow White. Not because she was too beautiful, but because she was sweet, helpful and selfless. 

Snow’s kindness is foiled by the Evil Queen. The Queen is beautiful, too. One of the most beautiful women in the kingdom. But people do not admire her for it. People do not follow her orders because of her beauty. Instead, people are fearful of her because of her cruelty. Her beauty gets her no where. Her cruelty gets her crushed to death by a rock. 

Another problem people seem to have with Snow is the fact that she chooses to take care of the dwarfs, much like a mother would. She volunteers to stay home to clean and bake pies, while the dwarfs go off to work. This upsets a lot of feminists because we have worked so hard in order to gain women the right to go to work and have a career of their choosing instead of being a simple housewife. Snow’s actions are a step backwards for feminism. 

Or is it? Remember the year Snow White was released? It was 1937, in the midst of the Great Depression. Viewing this character from a historical context is important. Were women in the Great Depression concerned with equality in the workplace or education or the right to own a credit card? Probably not. They were more likely concerned about their families’ living conditions and, in some cases, survival. Women did all they could for their families during this devastating time in America. That meant making sure their families ate and were cared for. 

What did Snow White do for the dwarfs? She cooked for them and cared for them. In return, the dwarfs gave her shelter from the Evil Queen. That seems like a pretty equal trade, doesn’t it?

In fact, the argument could be made that Snow White was actually the first Disney Princess to have a job (sorry, Tiana). A job is trading skills for something of value (usually money or health insurance). The Evil Queen did not bother teaching Snow White how to rule as a Princess. Instead, she made Snow be a maid. Snow spent her childhood learning how to cook and clean. Those are her skills. And she exchanges those skills for shelter at the dwarfs’ cottage. 

Besides, it's not Snow's fault she was depraved of an education as a child. What is important is that she is able to take the skills she does have and make the best out of a tough situation. 

Snow might have been frightened easily in the forrest, but it is not something she is proud of. After Snow White realizes how foolish she was , she comments, “Oh, look at the fuss I’ve made. And all because I was afraid. I’m so ashamed”. She made a mistake, and she acknowledged it. She is not promoting  weakness, but rather that fearfulness is something to be ashamed of.

Snow also has some good advice to give: “Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine”. This was exactly what people needed to hear during the Great Depression. Even after almost having her heart cut out and having to hide away from her evil stepmother, Snow finds a reason to smile. She even whistles while she works in order to keep cheerful.  And those are qualities worthy of admiration, Great Depression or not. 

What do you think of Snow White? Is she a worthy feminist role model? Please share your thoughts in the comment section. 

Read more about: 

Cinderella

Aurora

Ariel

Belle

Jasmine

Pocahontas

Mulan

*This post was edited 12.29.22