The Wonderful World of Disney and Religion
Religious Themes Within
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Resurrection
As seen in The Lion King, the theme of resurrection is also seen throughout Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The character of Snow White is comparable to a Jesus-like figure. Snow White takes refuge in the forest, in a cottage with seven dwarfs. Snow White is hiding from her wicked stepmother, the Queen. The Queen is jealous of Snow White because her beauty surpasses the Queen's. One day while the dwarfs are away, the Queen arrives at the cottage disguised as an old peddler woman. She persuades Snow White to bite into a poisoned apple. The dwarfs, warned by the forest animals of the Queen's evil plans, rush home to save Snow White from the poisoned apple, but they are too late. Snow White falls into a “sleeping death” after eating the poisoned apple. The Prince, who has fallen in love with Snow White, kisses her and she is resurrected from the wicked Queen's deathlike spell.
Symbolism in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Colors: Red, black, & white
"Lips red as the rose. Hair black as ebony. Skin white as snow."
The colors red, black, and white have a strong presence throughout Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and contains some symbolic significance. The color red represents life, fire, action, passion and love. The color black represents death. Finally, the color white represents virginity, purity, and innocence.
The Poisoned Apple
Perhaps the most obvious religious symbol in the entire film, the poisoned apple plays a key role in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The poisoned apple is comparable to the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. The wicked Queen arrives at the cottage disguised as an old peddler woman. Snow White knows she should not accept a gift from a stranger but she is still tempted by the apple. This temptation results in a “sleeping death” for Snow White. In the Garden of Eden, Eve is tempted by the forbidden fruit which is offered by the serpent. For Eve, the temptation results in a spiritual death.
The Number Seven
The number seven is another religious symbol within the film. In Snow White, you have the seven dwarfs. In Christianity, it is believed that God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh day. There is also a connection between the number seven in Snow White and the seven deadly sins within Christianity. While completing my research, I came across a website that presented the the film’s portrayal of the seven deadly sins.
“-Pride/ Vanity- Represented in the Queen’s obsession with beauty.
-Lust/ Extravagace- Represented in the Queen’s wealth while her stepdaughter toils as well as her lust after being the MOST beautiful.
-Gluttony- Though this is not shown in the Disney film (for obvious reasons), in the original story the Queen eats what she thinks is Snow White’s heart.
-Greed- Represented by the Queen wanting virtually everything from Snow White.
-Sloth- Represented by the dwarfs in their upkeep of their home before Snow White’s arrival.
-Wrath- Represented by the Queen in that she will stop at nothing to destroy her step-daughter.
-Envy-Represented by the Queen’s rampant jealousy of the young girl.”
