Disney's Snow White Remake: Addressing The Biggest Issue

Hugo van Dijk

4 min read

Post on May 14, 2025

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The Problematic Prince: A Critique of the Original and its Modern Implications

The original animated Snow White features a Prince whose actions are, by modern standards, deeply problematic. His role is largely passive, relying on Snow White's beauty to guide his actions rather than any agency of his own. This portrayal perpetuates harmful gender stereotypes and normalizes unhealthy relationship dynamics.

• Unconsensual Kiss: The infamous kiss, a cornerstone of the original film, is undeniably non-consensual. Snow White is unconscious, unable to provide consent, making the Prince's actions a violation. This scene, while seemingly romantic to past generations, is now widely recognized as a form of assault.
• Passive Role: The Prince’s role is predominantly reactive. He arrives, sees a beautiful woman, and acts based solely on her appearance, lacking any genuine interaction or understanding of her character. This reinforces the passive damsel-in-distress trope.
• Damsel in Distress Trope: Snow White's portrayal as a passive damsel awaiting rescue by a handsome prince reinforces harmful gender stereotypes. This storyline presents a limited view of female agency and strength.

The Disney's Snow White Remake attempts to address these issues, but the success of those attempts remains a subject of debate, as we'll see later.

Modernizing Fairytales: The Need for Consent and Agency

In today's world, children's media has a significant responsibility to portray healthy relationships and emphasize the importance of consent. Disney's Snow White Remake, as a significant cultural touchstone, needs to meet this responsibility.

• Representation Matters: The way relationships are portrayed in children's media deeply impacts young viewers' understanding of healthy dynamics and consent. Presenting non-consensual acts as romantic normalizes unhealthy behavior.
• Shifting Societal Norms: Societal views on consent and relationships have drastically evolved. What was acceptable in the past is no longer considered appropriate, demanding a reassessment of classic fairytale narratives.
• The Responsibility of Disney: As a major player in children's entertainment, Disney has a profound responsibility to shape positive perceptions of relationships and consent through its storytelling. Failing to do so perpetuates harmful stereotypes.

Beyond the Kiss: Other Areas Needing Improvement in the Remake

Beyond the Prince's problematic actions, other aspects of the original fairytale require modernization in the live-action Snow White Remake.

• The Evil Queen's Motivations: The Evil Queen's motivations are often reduced to simple vanity. A deeper exploration of her backstory, motivations, and complexities could add significant depth and nuance to the story.
• The Seven Dwarfs Portrayal: The portrayal of the Seven Dwarfs in the original raises concerns about potential problematic stereotypes. A sensitive and respectful representation is crucial in the remake.
• Expanding Female Roles: The remake should expand the roles of female characters beyond Snow White, creating a more balanced and empowering portrayal of women.

The Importance of Critical Discussion and Reimagining Classics

Open conversations surrounding problematic elements in classic fairytales are crucial for progress. Successful reimaginings like "Maleficent" demonstrate how classic stories can be reinterpreted while addressing problematic aspects, fostering critical analysis and richer storytelling. By engaging in these discussions, we can inspire more responsible and representative adaptations of beloved classics.

Conclusion

The problematic portrayal of the Prince in Disney's original Snow White, specifically the non-consensual kiss, and the perpetuation of harmful gender stereotypes require careful consideration in any remake. The live-action Snow White Remake presents an opportunity to address these issues and promote healthy representations of relationships and consent. Let's talk about Disney's Snow White Remake – is it truly progressive, or does it fall short of its potential to reshape classic narratives? Demand better representations in Disney's Snow White Remake and future adaptations. The ongoing conversation surrounding Disney's adaptations underscores the critical need for positive change in children's media, shaping future generations with narratives that reflect our evolving values and understanding of healthy relationships.