Snow White and the Magic Mirror is a story that originated from Germany and was later popularized by Disney through their animated film "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." The story revolves around a young princess named Snow White, whose beauty becomes a threat to her evil stepmother, the Queen. The Queen consults her Magic Mirror every day to confirm her beauty, which always reassures her of her superiority. However, as Snow White grows older, the mirror reveals that she is now the fairest in the land. Enraged by this revelation, the Queen orders a hunter to kill Snow White and bring her heart as proof. The hunter, unable to carry out the task, lets Snow White escape into the deep forest.
[ Addendum 20210207: another startling detail that was revised in the later editions. ]
And the queen tells the hunter not only to kill Snow White in the forest, but to bring back Snow White s lungs and liver, so that the she may eat them. And the queen tells the hunter not only to kill Snow White in the forest, but to bring back Snow White s lungs and liver, so that the she may eat them.
The hunter, unable to carry out the task, lets Snow White escape into the deep forest. Exhausted and frightened, Snow White stumbles upon a small cottage inhabited by seven dwarfs. Grateful for their hospitality, she agrees to keep house for them in return.
The Universe of Discourse
The mirror is simply einen Spiegel, a mirror, not a specifically magic mirror. That seems to have been a later interpolation. In the 1857 edition, it says Sie hatte einen wunderbaren Spiegel…. There is no wunderbaren in the original.
I prefer the original. The mirror recites poetry; to say it is a magic mirror is superfluous.
But on second thought, is it? There is another explanation: in the original version, perhaps the mirror is an ordinary one, and the queen is psychotic.
Certainly nobody else hears the mirror speaking. And the queen tells the hunter not only to kill Snow White in the forest, but to bring back Snow White's lungs and liver, so that the she may eat them. With salt! (die will ich mit Salz kochen und essen.) Now I prefer the original even more. The later version, which unequivocally states that the mirror is magic, is much less terrifying.
I suppose the argument against this reading is that the mirror also provides the queen with real information: Snow White is still alive, and living with the seven dwarfs. I think the original text does imply that the queen was aware of the seven dwarfs, but how might she have known that Snow White was still alive? Well, she did eat the lungs and liver, which had actually come from a young wild boar (junger Frischling). Perhaps she was satisfied at first, but then there was something about the taste, or the texture, not quite what she expected… it gnawed at her for hours, and then in a flash of rage she realized what she had actually eaten…
[ Addendum 20210202: In case you wanted to see it,
Note, by the way, that in 1812 the umlaut marks in Königin etc. still looked like small letter ‘e’; they had not yet been reduced to diareses. ]
[ Addendum 20210207: another startling detail that was revised in the later editions. ]
[ Addendum 20210321: The more I think about the queen's psychosis, the more obvious it seems that this is the correct explanation. ]
Tony Love
Meanwhile, the Queen discovers that Snow White is still alive, disguised as an old peddler woman, she deceives her way into the cottage and tries to kill Snow White multiple times using a poisoned comb and a lace to tighten her corset. However, each time, the dwarfs save Snow White’s life. Eventually, the Queen decides to eliminate Snow White once and for all and transforms into an old woman with a poisoned apple. The Queen tricks Snow White into taking a bite from the poisoned apple, which sends her into a deep sleep that can only be broken by true love’s kiss. Eventually, a young prince comes across the sleeping Snow White and immediately falls in love with her. He kisses her, and she awakens from her slumber. The prince then proposes to Snow White, and she accepts. They invite the dwarfs to their wedding, and they all live happily ever after. The story of Snow White and the Magic Mirror is often interpreted as a battle between good and evil, with Snow White representing innocence and purity, contrasted by the Queen's obsession with power and beauty. The Magic Mirror acts as a symbol of vanity and serves as a reminder of the Queen's insecurities and ruthless quest for supremacy. Additionally, the story emphasizes the importance of kindness, friendship, and true love. Snow White finds solace and protection in the dwarfs' cottage, and their loyalty and care ultimately save her from death. The prince's love for Snow White breaks the curse and brings her back to life, reinforcing the idea that love conquers all. Overall, Snow White and the Magic Mirror is a timeless tale that teaches valuable lessons about inner beauty, the consequences of vanity, and the power of genuine love and friendship..
Reviews for "The Magic Mirror's Dual Nature: Friend or Foe?"
1. Karen - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with "Snow White and the Magic Mirror". The storyline was so predictable and cliché, and there was no depth to any of the characters. The acting was also subpar, with wooden performances that lacked emotion. I found myself checking my watch multiple times throughout the movie, waiting for it to end. Overall, I would not recommend this film to anyone looking for an engaging and enjoyable movie experience.
2. Mike - 2/5 - "Snow White and the Magic Mirror" fell short of my expectations. The CGI was quite outdated, and the visual effects felt cheap. Additionally, the dialogue was cringey and forced, making it difficult to connect with any of the characters. The jokes were also lacking in originality and fell flat most of the time. While the film had some potential, it failed to deliver a captivating and entertaining story.
3. Emily - 2.5/5 - I found "Snow White and the Magic Mirror" to be a mediocre film. The plot felt rushed and underdeveloped, with many loose ends left unexplained. The performances were average at best, lacking genuine chemistry and depth. The special effects were decent, but they couldn't make up for the lackluster storytelling. Overall, this movie had potential but failed to deliver a truly memorable fairy tale experience.
4. John - 1.5/5 - "Snow White and the Magic Mirror" was a forgettable film in my opinion. The plot was predictable and lacked any surprises or twists. The characters felt one-dimensional, and I couldn't connect with any of them on an emotional level. The pacing of the film was off, with some scenes feeling dragged out while others felt rushed. Overall, it was a disappointing attempt at retelling a classic fairy tale, and I would not recommend it.