Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

The chill of winter can be harsh, but the comfort of hot cocoa helps. So it is in the tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Most of us have heard and know the story well; but what inspires such a tale in the first place? Why was it written? Though the Grimm Brothers wrote it down at the beginning of the 19^th century, it may have been inspired long ago by Roman legend. But what is it's purpose for it's hearers now?

The queen truly does have a heart that is ice-cold. She is wicked and seemingly heartless. Such a character must have had hurts in her life. This is often where bitterness and wrath stems. Her problem lies in her pride and jealousy that overtakes her. She wants to be and continue to be the “fairest in the land.” But beauty is vain. The flower of one's youth eventually dies: beauty fades with time. Christina Rossetti put it well when she penned the following:

                    While roses are so red, while lilies are so white,
                    Shall a woman exalt her face because it brings delight?
                    She's not so sweet as a rose; a lilly's straighter than she,
                    And if she were as red or white she'd be but one of three.

                    Whether she flush in love's summer or in its winter grow pale,
                    Whether sh flaunt her beauty or hide it away in a veil,
                    Be she red or white, and stand she erect or bowed,
                    Time will win the race he runs with her and hide her away in a shroud.

Physical beauty is transient, but true beauty comes from within and is eternal. The wicked queen's heart is vile and certainly lacks any beauty at all.

Snow White on the other hand is an innocent child who does not even fully comprehend—I don't think—the fullness of her own beauty. She is humble and sincere. She is as white as snow. Snow often represents purity and virtue. The Biblical theme of purity is expressed in the Bible stating “though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”—Isaiah 1:18

The dwarfs in this tale can represent justice. They possess great love toward Snow White and see her innocence and frailty as one who needs protection from the evil queen. They are willing to risk their lives for her regardless of their diminutive stature—of course dwarfs in many fairy tales are linked to special abilities and powers—; however, they do not directly manifest them in this story. They are the heroes of the tale, and they think not of their own selves, but rather, that which protects the princess. When after three attempts of ridding the world of Snow White the wicked queen is seemingly successful, the dwarfs pursue her in an attempt to avenge for her wicked actions. These dwarfs represent truth, justice, and vengeance for wrong.

It is love that that breaks the spell at the end, a theme common in many fairy tales. Love is much more powerful than evil. Light always breaks the darkness. True love is powerful. The greatest love is greater than any evil and conquers even death.

A Word from Ollie

Whoo, Whoo! Me again, Ollie Owl. I have heard of the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs many times in my day, but I now have additional thoughts to ponder regarding it. What a tale! I live in the the forest and can relate to this story quite well. I like to think that it happened in a place nearby, where I live and rest my head in yonder holler tree! Imagine the dwarfs traversing the woods up the way and a  scared, curious girl rummaging through this thicket. The imagination is a wonderful thing—a tool to creatively inscribe the lessons of life through the ages.

The Crafty Corner

Back in March 2017 I featured a cloth doll I was working on. At the time, the doll  

was not completed, but I was completing the clothes. I was in China teaching English and had made a number of dolls; but I did not want to stuff and complete them entirely, lest I be unable to fit them in my cases on my return to the U.S.A. Let me share with you one of those dolls.

This is a folk art doll in style; however, rather than painting the face as is common in this style, I used embroidery floss to create the detail of the eyes, nose, and lips of the face. I used mohair locks for the hair and stitched it in place. The clothes are handmade of cotton blends, felt, and various other fabrics and includes a jacket, plaid skirt, petticoat, and hat with a homemade pom pom on top. I made the pom pom from numerous strands of embroidery floss and sewed it on top the hat. The petticoat has lace sewn onto the bottom edge. The jacket is made from several fabrics including cotton blends, felt, and a floral design embroidered in place along the front. Small buttons were also sewn into place down the center front. Her boots are made from black cotton fabric. A charming old-fashioned art doll!  Find this doll and others at Art Doll   https://www.etsy.com/listing/563155317/folk-art-cloth-plush-doll-with-clothes?ref=shop_home_active_8

Book of the Month

Ivanhoe

This classic tale by Sir Walter Scott is one of the best historical novels ever written in my opinion; and it set the stage for the historical novel genre. It truly is a captivating tale of adventure, heroism, and virtue. Set in the 12^th century it depicts medieval history well. Incredibly described, the characters are well developed. Ivanhoe has his adventures and is a hero; but Robin Hood also appears in the novel carrying out his deeds along with his band of men. Ivanhoe and Robin Hood actually need each other to realistically envelop the religious and aristocratic leaders in place during King Richard's absence. The women in the novel are deep characters, particularly Rebecca, a Jew who depicts truth and moral uprightness. It isn't a book that is necessarily an easy read—it requires some intellectual brain-power—but it is well worth the digging, for the treasure inside is a jewel.