Gender-Based Stereotypes in "Snow White"

Paper Summary:

This paper identifies the elements in the story, "Snow White," that present gender stereotypes describing the role behaviors and attitudes attributed to the female characters. An examination of what these stereotypes suggest males and females should aspire to is followed by an assessment of the role behaviors and attitudes that are attributed to the characters that tend to make them "bad" or "good." A discussion of good and bad male characters, what factors differentiate them, and what this suggests about expectations for mothers and fathers is followed by a summary of the research in the conclusion.

From the Paper:

"By sharp contrast, the humble Huntsman is shown to be both compassionate and brave by sparing Snow White's life at the risk of his own, and by killing a wild boar in her place. Other stereotypes include the relegation of Snow White to a purely domestic role by dwarves, who while not quite homo sapiens, are still haughty males who view females as housekeepers and little more, even if she is the "fairest in the land": "If you will take care of our house, cook for us, and make the beds, wash, mend, and knit, and keep everything neat and clean, then you may stay with us altogether and you shall want for nothing." "

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