The Symbolism of the Forest in Snow White: Danger, Refuge and Transformation
Trees and forests play an important role in many fairy tales, where they often act as symbolic elements that represent protection, danger, and transformation. One of the best-known fairy tales in which the forest plays a central role is “Snow White”.
The Forest in “Snow White”
In the Grimm brothers' fairy tale of “Snow White”, the young princess is sent to the forest by her evil stepmother. The stepmother, jealous of Snow White's beauty, orders the hunter to kill her and bring her heart back as proof. However, the hunter has no desire to kill Snow White and lets her escape into the deep, mysterious forest.
Symbolism of the Forest
The forest in “Snow White” is more than just a physical location; it's rich in symbolism and meaning: