Disney's Solution To Snow White's Biggest Problem In Future Live-Action Adaptations

Henrik Larsen

4 min read

Post on May 14, 2025

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Snow White's Passive Nature: A Critical Analysis

The Original Fairytale's Limitations:

The inherent passivity in the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale significantly contributed to Snow White's portrayal as a damsel in distress. The story's structure reinforces this passivity:

• Waiting for rescue: Snow White's primary role involves waiting for the prince to rescue her from various perils.
• Lacking agency: She exhibits little control over her own destiny, constantly at the mercy of external forces (the Evil Queen, the huntsman, the dwarfs).
• Relying on the prince: Her ultimate "happily ever after" is entirely dependent on the prince's intervention, reinforcing a passive role in her own narrative.

These traditional fairytale tropes paint Snow White as a passive protagonist, a far cry from the strong female leads celebrated in modern cinema.

The 2023 Live-Action Adaptation's Shortcomings:

While the 2023 live-action remake attempted to modernize Snow White, it fell short in addressing her inherent passivity. Several scenes highlight this shortcoming:

• The reliance on the dwarfs: Snow White's dependence on the dwarfs for survival echoes her reliance on the prince in the original tale.
• Lack of proactive decision-making: She rarely takes the initiative, mostly reacting to events rather than driving the narrative forward.
• Limited character development beyond "fair": The film fails to showcase Snow White's intelligence, skills, or ambitions beyond her physical beauty, limiting her character development.

This Disney's portrayal of Snow White fails to meet modern audience expectations.

Modern Audience Expectations and Female Empowerment:

Modern audiences, especially younger generations, expect more from their female protagonists. The impact of feminist discourse and the rise of strong female leads in contemporary storytelling have dramatically shifted expectations:

• Examples of strong female leads: Films featuring characters like Rey (Star Wars), Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games), and Wonder Woman showcase empowered female characters who actively shape their own destinies.
• The impact of feminist discourse: The ongoing conversation about female representation in media has raised awareness about the importance of complex, nuanced female characters who are not solely defined by their relationships with men.

To resonate with modern audiences, Disney needs to embrace female empowerment in film and deliver narratives featuring strong female protagonists.

Potential Solutions for Future Adaptations:

Reimagining Snow White's Agency:

To create a more compelling and relatable Snow White, future adaptations should drastically rewrite her role:

• Giving her proactive goals: Instead of passively waiting for rescue, Snow White could have her own ambitions, perhaps related to escaping the kingdom, solving a mystery, or discovering her own magical abilities.
• Incorporating skills and talents: Assigning her skills beyond beauty, like archery, herbalism, or even leadership skills, would significantly enhance her agency.
• Showing her resourcefulness: Highlighting her ability to overcome challenges independently, without relying solely on external help, would build a strong and empowered character arc. This character arc development is crucial for a modern Snow White.

Expanding Supporting Female Characters:

Strengthening supporting female roles can create a richer, more complex narrative:

• Giving the Evil Queen more depth: Exploring the Queen's motivations beyond simple jealousy could create a more nuanced villain and a more interesting conflict.
• Creating new female allies: Introducing new female characters who support Snow White, perhaps a wise woman or a rebel leader, would build a powerful female dynamic.
• Changing the narrative focus: Shifting the narrative focus to explore the dynamics between the female characters, rather than solely focusing on the prince, will create a richer and more satisfying story. This expansion of female roles in Disney narratives is critical.

Incorporating Modern Storytelling Techniques:

Employing contemporary narrative approaches can enhance Snow White's character:

• Using flashbacks: Revealing Snow White's past experiences and shaping her personality can add depth and complexity.
• Internal monologues: Allowing the audience to access Snow White's thoughts and feelings can enhance her relatability and create empathy.
• Showing her inner strength: Even in moments of vulnerability, highlighting her resilience, determination, and inner strength builds a truly empowered character. Modern storytelling techniques are key to crafting a believable, inspiring heroine.

Conclusion:

Snow White's traditional passivity and the shortcomings of the recent live-action adaptation underscore the need for a significant shift in future Disney projects. By reimagining Snow White's agency, expanding supporting female characters, and incorporating modern storytelling techniques, Disney can create a truly empowering and engaging adaptation that resonates with contemporary audiences. The key is to move beyond the damsel-in-distress trope and craft a narrative where Snow White actively shapes her destiny. Let's discuss how Disney could improve future live-action adaptations and create more empowered female protagonists – let's focus on fostering Snow White's agency in the next iteration of this classic fairytale.