Megan Titterington
The upcoming adaptation of Snow White (2023) has fans talking all things feminism, femininity, and falling in love.
Aladdin, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid are just a few of the classic fairy tales that have been given a live-action adaptation by Disney in the past decade. The upcoming adaptation of Snow White is the next film on everyone’s lips.
Starring Rachel Zegler as Snow White and Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen, the newest Disney classic to get its own adaptation has garnered its fair share of negative press.
From the ongoing demand for new, exciting stories instead of remakes, to calls for the seven magical creatures instead of the seven dwarves, and critique of Zegler’s comments about receiving residuals for the 18 hours she spends in a dress, the film is already surrounded by controversy.
What’s wrong with dreaming of love?
However, the discussion that has struck me the most surrounds Zegler and Gadot’s comments that the all-new Snow White is not going to be “dreaming about true love.” Instead, she will allegedly be focused on being the leader that she knows she can be – one that is “fearless, fair, brave and true.”
This leaves me with one question: What is so wrong about dreaming of falling in love?
“Romance novels generate over $1.44 billion in revenue, making romance the highest-earning genre of fiction.”
As a child, and even now as an adult, I love watching the magic spark found in Disney films and romantic comedies. I dream of having a love like you see in the movies. Growing up, I wanted to receive flowers on Valentine’s Day with a sappy card from a secret admirer. I would read young adult fiction and get butterflies on behalf of the main character when they finally get their first kiss. I still love getting lost in endless period dramas with plots of everlasting love and dreamy romantic leads.
Romance novels have generated over $1.44 billion in revenue over the past year, making romance the highest-earning genre of fiction. Worldwide, meanwhile, there are over 300 million people using dating apps. Clearly, love is in demand.
“Why can’t Snow White also wish for the same loving and supportive partner, while simultaneously fulfilling those dreams of becoming a leader?”
Can Snow White have it all?
Even though millions of people across the world immerse themselves in romance, it doesn’t have to consume every aspect of our lives. We can also focus on and have fulfilling aspirations that do not involve love.
My dream is to become a broadcast journalist. I will start a part-time journalism course in November alongside my job, but it will be alongside a loving and supportive partner who is able to help me achieve those dreams. Why can’t Snow White also wish for the same loving and supportive partner, while simultaneously fulfilling her dreams of becoming an independent leader? Disney needs to be showing young women that they can in fact balance both worlds.
Whether Zegler or Gadot – or rather the creative team behind Snow White – realise that their promotion of the film implies that love is inherently frivolous is unclear. But, the negative way in which they speak about the film’s female lead rejecting love is almost as damaging as the many films that have suggested a woman should only dream of falling in love.
Womanhood and dreams
When I first heard the comments made by Zegler and Gadot, I thought of one book in particular, and consequently its newest film rendition, that really highlights all my thoughts and feelings relating to womanhood: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation.
“Just because my dreams are different than yours doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.”
Little Women has always held a special place in my heart, ever since I first read it as a child with my mother. It is warm, comforting, and empowering. In the four sisters – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – we see such a diverse set of personalities and dreams. From headstrong and passionate Jo to shy and selfless Beth.
When Meg informs Jo that she wishes to be married to John Brooke, Jo panics over the fear of losing her sister. Jo says that her sister should be an actress on the stage, whilst she is to be a famous author. Meg replies: “Just because my dreams are different than yours doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.”
This line is so important to me and comes with so much emotion. Meg dreams of a life with John, a house, and a family. She wants to be a mother. That’s her ambition. Why does it need to be anything more than that?
“Disney does not need every strong, female character to dream of being a leader.”
Can’t we, as women, have a sole dream of a family and falling in love? Why can’t we have the same respect for that dream that one would receive for wanting to be the Prime Minister of the country?
Disney does not need every strong, female character to dream of being a leader. Because not every woman in life has that dream. Some women dream of finding love and having a family alongside aspirations of becoming an expert or leader. Some wish solely for love and family, and that is just fine.
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The Little Mermaid: A big step towards diversity
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Barbie Review: Life in plastic is indeed fantastic
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Girlboss: What does it mean to be a feminist in a capitalist world?
Featured image courtesy of haleyephelps via Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.
