Snow White Archetypal Theory
Archetypal Analysis of Snow White
1. Separation:
• The Queen dislikes Snow White because the mirror states that she is the most beautiful in all the land.
• The Queen summons a hunter and orders him to take Snow White into the forest to kill her.
• The hunter, who functions as the guide figure, finds Snow White beautiful, so he spares her from being killed.
• Snow White, separated from her social realm, is deserted and left alone in the forest.
• The Dwarfs, who are also guide figures, provide Snow White with shelter and nourishment while she is in the sacred or supernatural realm.
2. Struggle or initiation:
• Snow White learns how to keep the Dwarfs’ house neat and tidy.
• The evil Queen tempts Snow White three times: once with the bodice laces, then with the hair comb, and finally with the poisoned apple.
• After failing the first two tests, Snow White is successfully brought back to life by the Dwarfs.
• After Snow White fails the final test, the Dwarfs are unable to bring her back to life.
• Snow White is placed in a glass coffin where she remains for a long period. This represents a time of inner growth.
• A young Prince sees Snow White, falls in love with her, and brings her to his castle.
• The Prince, who is representative of the goddess figure, is Snow White’s soul mate and bestows unconditional love upon her.
3. Return or reintegration with gift or new power:
• Snow White awakens and comes back to life after the poisoned apple is disgorged.
• This represents her rebirth and symbolizes her reintegration with society.
• Snow White has learned that she must not trust everyone, as the world contains both good and evil people.
• Through her experience, Snow White reaches maturity and is ready for
1. Separation:
• The Queen dislikes Snow White because the mirror states that she is the most beautiful in all the land.
• The Queen summons a hunter and orders him to take Snow White into the forest to kill her.
• The hunter, who functions as the guide figure, finds Snow White beautiful, so he spares her from being killed.
• Snow White, separated from her social realm, is deserted and left alone in the forest.
• The Dwarfs, who are also guide figures, provide Snow White with shelter and nourishment while she is in the sacred or supernatural realm.
2. Struggle or initiation:
• Snow White learns how to keep the Dwarfs’ house neat and tidy.
• The evil Queen tempts Snow White three times: once with the bodice laces, then with the hair comb, and finally with the poisoned apple.
• After failing the first two tests, Snow White is successfully brought back to life by the Dwarfs.
• After Snow White fails the final test, the Dwarfs are unable to bring her back to life.
• Snow White is placed in a glass coffin where she remains for a long period. This represents a time of inner growth.
• A young Prince sees Snow White, falls in love with her, and brings her to his castle.
• The Prince, who is representative of the goddess figure, is Snow White’s soul mate and bestows unconditional love upon her.
3. Return or reintegration with gift or new power:
• Snow White awakens and comes back to life after the poisoned apple is disgorged.
• This represents her rebirth and symbolizes her reintegration with society.
• Snow White has learned that she must not trust everyone, as the world contains both good and evil people.
• Through her experience, Snow White reaches maturity and is ready for