Symbolism in 'The Snow Child'

Feminist theory

• Emerged from the feminist movement movement-aims to understand nature of gender inequality by examining women's social roles.
• Developed theories in a variety of disciplines in order to respond to issues such as the social construction of gender.
• Earlier forms of feminism have been criticised for focusing on only white, straight, middle-class, educated perspectives.

Feminist activism

• Campaign for women's rights-contract law, property and voting.
• Promotes bodily integrity, autonomy and reproductive health.
• Changed societies- especially in the west.
• Mainly focused on women's issues, but inadvertently helping men in the progress.
• Feminists have worked to protect women from both domestic violence and sexual violence.

What does the Countess symbolise and how is this shown?

• 'Scarlet heels'-impratical/ colour shows anger/jealousy
• 'His wife'-possession
• 'Glittering pelts of black foxes'-dressed up to make her look better.

What does the Snow Child symbolise and how is this shown?

• 'Desire'- ambigious. It could mean that it is the child that he has always wanted, or it could be read as sexual desire.

What does the count symbolise and how is this shown?

• The count's wishes are typical of the language of fairytales.
• 'I wish I had a girl'- reinforces his sexuality, emotionless. It shows that women can never be what men want them to be. You wish for something you can't have.