Student Question
What does the poet's word choice reveal in the poem "Snow White" by Andrea Hollander Budy?
Quick answer:
The word choice in Andrea Hollander Budy's "Snow White" reveals a modern, simplistic tone that contrasts with the traditional fairy tale. By using elementary language, the poem appeals to a broad audience while revising the classic tale, suggesting Snow White's decision to stay with the dwarfs was due to a mundane kiss from Bashful. This choice highlights the gulf between fantasy and reality, resonating with women who feel trapped in the "plainness" of modern life.
A poet's word choice can be based on many different things. Many times, a poet examines the intended audience and chooses words based upon their knowledge of terminology. Other times, a poet will chose to write according to the times (period for which they are writing) or even the mood. That being said, one cannot state that all poets use the reader as the main reasoning behind word choice.
One could assume that Andrea Hollander Budy choose to write in a specific way given her poem contains the same title as the story tale "Snow White" and, therefore, appeals to children. her word choice, for the poem, is not very elevated. Instead, her word choices are elementary and basic.
The poem offers a very different perspective on why Snow White decided to stay with the dwarfs in the woods. Instead of the historically accepted reason (hiding from the Queen), Snow...
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White id stated to have made the decision to stay with the dwarfs because Bashful kissed her.
That being said, the poem is not specifically written for children. Instead, it seems to speak to women, who have had children, who wish to be saved from "the plainness of your life."
Regardless, the words chosen mirror the children's tale. It is relatively simplistic and easy to read. The words do not need defining or explanation. In the end, one can really only assume as to why a poet chooses one word over another.
References
How do word choices and form affect "Snow White" by Andrea Hollander Budy?
"Snow White" is a revisionist prose poem that debunks the original tale in which a prince kisses Snow White. Part I of the poem revises the original, and the rest of the poem is a series of rhetorical questions. Unlike the Sexton poem "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" and the original Brothers Grimm tale, there is violence, threat of death, or witch.
The modern word choice, matter-of-fact tone, and rhetoical questions are intended for mothers, who have been burdened by the ennui of modern family life, even though they have children. Key words are the juxtaposition of "magic sleep" vs. "plainness of your life" which shows the gulf between fantasy and reality.
The tone of the poem playfully admits that most mothers would rush to the forest in search of a prince, even if it might result in being killed by a magical apple (witch). To prevent continuing this fantasy, the speaker admits that Snow White was kissed by Bashful, the least romantic man possible, and joined them in a kind of nature collective.