558. The Snow White Disney Doesn’t Want You To Know
In this episode of The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast, Peterson examines the psychological dynamics at play in the story of Snow White, with particular focus on the Evil Queen's character. He analyzes how the Queen's self-worth, tied to her beauty and social status, drives her actions when confronted with Snow White's superior beauty, leading to attempts on Snow White's life.
Peterson also explores the roles of the male characters in the story, contrasting the Seven Dwarfs' fraternal protection with the Prince's more complete form of security. Through this analysis, he examines how the dwarfs—representing traditional masculinity and brotherhood—offer Snow White initial sanctuary, while the Prince ultimately provides the lasting protection needed to overcome the Queen's schemes of control and fertility suppression.
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Psychology and Motives of the Evil Queen
Jordan Peterson explores the complex psychological underpinnings of the Evil Queen in Snow White, focusing on themes of jealousy and fertility suppression. According to Peterson, the Evil Queen's self-worth is deeply connected to her beauty and status in the mating market. When Snow White's beauty surpasses her own, the Queen's envy drives her to extreme measures, including attempted murder.
The Role of the Seven Dwarfs
Peterson describes the dwarfs as representations of traditional masculinity, offering Snow White sanctuary from the Evil Queen's persecution. These hardworking, humble miners provide a sharp contrast to the Queen's narcissism. While they offer protective brotherhood, Peterson notes that their protection ultimately proves insufficient against the Queen's more sophisticated attacks, particularly the poisoned apple incident.
The Prince's Protection
The Prince represents a higher form of masculine protection that transcends the dwarfs' fraternal care, according to Peterson. Unlike the dwarfs' limited ability to protect Snow White, the Prince's devotion and noble character enable him to defeat the Evil Queen's schemes. Peterson suggests that their marriage symbolizes a fortress against the Queen's attempts at fertility suppression and control, ultimately leading to the Queen's defeat and the end of her dominance over Snow White.
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Counterarguments
- The interpretation of the dwarfs as symbols of traditional masculinity could be seen as an oversimplification of their roles and characteristics, which might also embody aspects of innocence, industriousness, and non-traditional family structures.
- The idea that the dwarfs' protection is insufficient might be challenged by arguing that their efforts represent the importance of community and collective action, which is a significant form of protection and support.
- The portrayal of the Prince as a higher form of masculine protection could be critiqued for reinforcing gender stereotypes and overlooking the potential for Snow White to exhibit agency and self-rescue.
- The notion that the Prince's noble character alone is what enables him to defeat the Evil Queen could be countered by suggesting that it is the combination of various characters' actions and virtues that contribute to the Queen's defeat.
- The interpretation of the marriage as a fortress against the Queen's control might be seen as a narrow view of marriage, not considering other interpretations that emphasize love, partnership, and mutual support beyond the context of protection and control.
- The idea that the marriage leads to the Queen's defeat could be critiqued by pointing out that it is not the marriage itself but the broader narrative arc and the characters' growth that culminate in the Queen's downfall.
- The focus on fertility suppression as a motive for the Evil Queen's actions could be challenged by alternative interpretations that emphasize other psychological or social factors, such as power dynamics, fear of aging, or societal pressures.
Actionables
- Reflect on your self-worth by journaling about the qualities you value in yourself beyond physical appearance. This can help you identify and appreciate diverse aspects of your self-esteem. For example, you might write about your kindness, intelligence, or resilience, and how these traits have helped you in various situations.
- Create a support network by reaching out to friends or colleagues who embody diverse strengths and virtues. This mirrors the protective brotherhood concept, but in a modern context. You could start a monthly meet-up where everyone shares their experiences and offers support for personal and professional challenges.
- Develop a personal growth plan that focuses on building character and noble qualities. Inspired by the Prince's role, you might volunteer for causes you care about or take up a new hobby that challenges you to grow, such as learning a new language or instrument, which can help you overcome obstacles and build resilience.
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Psychology and Motives of the Evil Queen: Jealousy, Fertility Suppression
Psychological analyses of the Evil Queen in the Snow White tale shed light on deep-seated issues of jealousy and fertility suppression, pointing to significant underlying motives.
The Evil Queen's Pride in Her Beauty Fuels Jealousy and a Wish to Ruin Younger Women's Youth
Jordan Peterson delves into the psyche of the Evil Queen, whose self-worth is closely tied to her beauty and competitive status in the mating market. When Snow White's superior beauty is confirmed by a magical mirror, it triggers a deep envy in the queen. Envy escalates to the point that she commands her huntsman to kill Snow White, thus eliminating the threat to her status as the fairest in the land.
Compelled by pride and envy, the Queen projects her beauty as a virtue for personal privilege. Her identity rests on her youth and fertility, signifying her place in the "mating game." As Snow White grows into her own beauty, surpassing the queen's, she becomes a potent symbol of youth, which the queen cannot tolerate. Peterson illustrates the Evil Queen's rivalry with Snow White, suggesting parallels with actual practices in some cultures where young women are hidden away out of envy and the desire to suppress youthful attractiveness.
Peterson elucidates the "evil queen pathology" as the savaging of reproductive potential disguised as maternal compassion, expressing concern over the destructive impact of pride and jealousy.
Evil Queen's Actions to Suppress Snow White's Fertility and Youth Symbolize "Fertility Suppression" In Dominant Female Primates
The actions of the Evil Queen bear a striking resemblance to fertility suppression strategies among dominant female primates, which Peterson allegorizes in his analysis. He describes how older or higher-status women may attempt to control or dictate the reproductive choices of younger or lower-status women, paralleling the suppression seen in primate societies.
The Evil Queen's actions towards Snow White can be seen as attempts to suppress her reproductive potential and attractiveness. She affects fertility suppression through sophisticated methods, including dangerous beauty rituals like the lacing of a corset so tight that Snow White nearly perishes. This suppression not only endangers Sno ...
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Psychology and Motives of the Evil Queen: Jealousy, Fertility Suppression
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Counterarguments
- The interpretation of the Evil Queen's motives may be overly simplistic, as characters in fairy tales often represent archetypes or symbols rather than fully fleshed-out psychological profiles.
- The comparison between the Evil Queen's actions and fertility suppression in primates may be an anthropomorphic projection, as human social dynamics are far more complex and influenced by culture, personal history, and individual psychology.
- The analysis might be criticized for potentially reinforcing gender stereotypes by suggesting that women are inherently competitive over beauty and reproductive potential.
- The connection made between the Evil Queen's behavior and female genital mutilation could be seen as a stretch, as the latter is a culturally specific practice with a variety of social, religious, and economic factors influencing its perpetuation, which may not be comparable to the motivations of a fictional character.
- The focus on jealousy and competition among women could be viewed as ignoring the broader societal structures that create and reinforce these dynamics, such as patriarchy and the objectification of women's bodies.
- The narrative of Snow White could also be interpreted through different lenses, such as the coming-of-age story, the struggle between innocence and corruption, or the triumph of good over evil, which do not necessa ...
Actionables
- Reflect on your own experiences with jealousy to foster empathy and self-awareness. Write down instances where you've felt envious of someone else's attributes or success. Analyze the root causes of these feelings and consider how they may have influenced your behavior towards others. This exercise can help you understand the motivations behind actions driven by jealousy and prevent you from acting on such emotions in harmful ways.
- Create a personal code of ethics that values character over appearance. Start by listing traits you admire in others that are unrelated to physical attractiveness, such as kindness, intelligence, or creativity. Commit to complimenting and reinforcing these qualities in the people around you, especially younger individuals who may feel pressured by societal beauty standards. This practice can help shift the focus from superficial attributes to more substantial virtues.
- Educate yourself and others about the ...
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Masculinity Shielding Young Women From Toxic Elders
Jordan Peterson analyzes the narrative of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, casting the dwarfs as bastions of traditional masculinity that provide sanctuary for young women from toxic elder figures.
Dwarfs Offer Sanctuary From Evil Queen
Dwarfs' Diligence and Humility Contrast Evil Queen's Narcissism and Cruelty
Peterson speaks about Snow White's flight from her persecutor, the Evil Queen, to a cottage belonging to the dwarfs, representing her descent into the unknown. According to Peterson, the dwarfs are characterized as ordinary, hardworking, diligent men who symbolically offer Snow White respite from the Queen’s toxicity. The dwarfs, who work as miners, are seen as diligent and conscientious; their tidy and neat home reflects their humility, which sharply contrasts the Queen's narcissism and cruelty.
By Accepting Snow White's Help and Treating Her With Respect, the Dwarfs Demonstrate a Healthy Masculinity That Protects Women
The dwarfs find Snow White in their home and are delighted by her beauty. They offer her their protection, thus providing an intermediary shield against the Evil Queen. They are seen not merely as protectors but as a protective phalanx of brothers and a father figure. While Peterson does not explicitly comment on their interactions, it can be inferred from the well-maintained habitat that the dwarfs would treat Snow White with respect and wel ...
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Masculinity Shielding Young Women From Toxic Elders
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Counterarguments
- The dwarfs' acceptance of Snow White could be seen as a reinforcement of traditional gender roles, where the woman's place is in the home.
- The narrative could be interpreted as suggesting that women need protection from men, which could be seen as patronizing or undermining female agency and independence.
- The story could also be critiqued for its portrayal of the Evil Queen as a stereotype of a jealous, older woman, which might perpetuate negative stereotypes about aging women.
- The idea that a heroic male figure is ultimately required to save Snow White could be seen as promoting the trope of a "damsel in distress," which is considered by some as an outdated and sexist concept.
- The dwarfs' protection of Snow White could be viewed not just as healthy masculinity, but as a collective effort of community and care that transcends gender.
- The portrayal of the dwarfs as father figures might be seen as infantilizing Snow White, suggesting that she is incapable of caring for ...
Actionables
- You can foster a supportive environment by volunteering at a local shelter or community center, offering a safe space for those who need respite from challenging situations. By being present and lending an ear or a helping hand, you embody the protective and nurturing qualities discussed, without needing any special skills or training.
- Create a "Neatness Challenge" with friends or family where everyone commits to keeping their living space tidy for a month, reflecting the diligence and humility of the dwarfs. This can be a fun and simple way to encourage each other and build habits that contribute to a humble and respectful living environment.
- Practice respectful collaboration by s ...
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Snow White and the Prince's Role In Protecting Against the Evil Queen
The story of Snow White illustrates different forms of protection against the nefarious acts of the Evil Queen, with the Prince’s devotion serving as a critical factor in safeguarding Snow White.
Prince's Devotion Transcends Dwarfs' Fraternal/Paternal Protection
Jordan Peterson implies that the Prince offers a vital kind of protection that the dwarfs, despite their intentions, cannot match. The dwarfs have a fraternal or paternal relationship with Snow White, and they value and mourn her, yet they are not equipped to counteract the Evil Queen's poison. They observe and value Snow White but cannot revive her after the Queen's attack, demonstrating that their form of protection has its limits.
Prince Cherishes Snow White, Defeats Evil Queen's Machinations
In contrast, the Prince symbolizes a higher order of masculinity characterized by true nobility and courage, which empowers him to shield Snow White from the Evil Queen's malice. Peterson discusses how the prince, akin to the hero confronting Maleficent in "Sleeping Beauty," possesses the archetypal force crucial in combating the pernicious influence of the Evil Queen. The Prince’s dedication and desire to create an individualized bond with Snow White allow him to bestow upon her protection and opportunities that the dwarfs could not. The Prince’s actions, including his unwavering commitment to Snow White even in her poisoned state, embody his role in triumphing over the threats presented by the Evil Queen. His readiness to integrate her into his life at the castle further illustrates the prince's pivotal role in countering the Evil Queen's schemes.
Wedding as Personal Defense Against Evil Queen's Jealousy and Fertility Suppression
Peterson addresses the concept of marriage in the story of Snow White, alluding to the idea that the union symbolizes a fortress against the Evil Queen’s venomous intentions. Though details about the wedding itself are sparse in Peterson’s discussion, it's suggested that the m ...
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Snow White and the Prince's Role In Protecting Against the Evil Queen
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Counterarguments
- The dwarfs' protection is portrayed as limited, but it could be argued that their care and sheltering of Snow White was equally vital to her survival as the Prince's later actions.
- The Prince's nobility and courage are highlighted, yet one could argue that these traits are not exclusive to masculinity and that the story reinforces traditional gender roles.
- The Prince's commitment is seen as the key to overcoming the Evil Queen's threats, but it could be argued that Snow White's own resilience and the support of her friends are also important factors in her survival.
- The integration of Snow White into the Prince's life is seen as a counter to the Evil Queen's plans, but one could argue that this reinforces a narrative where a woman's safety and success are dependent on a man's intervention.
- The marriage as a defense against the Evil Queen's inte ...
Actionables
- You can foster resilience in relationships by creating a "devotion diary" where you note daily acts of support and commitment to your partner. This practice helps you recognize and appreciate the mutual protection you offer each other, similar to the Prince's devotion to Snow White. For example, jot down when your partner backs you up in a disagreement or supports your ambitions, reinforcing the bond and resilience against external pressures.
- Develop a personal code of courage by identifying situations where you feel challenged and committing to one act of bravery each week. This could be standing up for someone else, voicing an unpopular opinion, or tackling a personal fear. By doing so, you emulate the Prince's noble qualities and build your own courage, which can shield you and others from negative influences.
- Celebrate milestones in your relationships w ...
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