'Snow White's Acne' by Denise Duhamel
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At first she was sure it was just a bit of dried strawberry juice,
or a fleck of her mother's red nail polish that had flaked off
when she'd patted her daughter to sleep the night before.
But as she scrubbed, Snow felt a bump, something festering
under the surface, like a tapeworm curled up and living
in her left cheek.
Doc the Dwarf was no dermatologist
and besides Snow doesn't get to meet him in this version
because the mint leaves the tall doctor puts over her face
only make matters worse. Snow and the Queen hope
against hope for chicken pox, measles, something
that would be gone quickly and not plague Snow's whole
adolescence.
If only freckles were red, she cried, if only
concealer really worked. Soon came the pus, the yellow dots,
multiplying like pins in a pin cushion. Soon came
the greasy hair. The Queen gave her daughter a razor
for her legs and a stick of underarm deodorant.
Snow
doodled through her teenage years—"Snow + ?" in Magic
Markered hearts all over her notebooks. She was an average
student, a daydreamer who might have been a scholar
if she'd only applied herself. She liked sappy music
and romance novels. She liked pies and cake
instead of fruit.
The Queen remained the fairest in the land.
It was hard on Snow, having such a glamorous mom.
She rebelled by wearing torn shawls and baggy gowns.
Her mother would sometimes say, "Snow darling,
why don't you pull back your hair? Show those pretty eyes?"
or "Come on, I'll take you shopping."
Snow preferred
staying in her safe room, looking out of her window
at the deer leaping across the lawn. Or she'd practice
her dance moves with invisible princes. And the Queen,
busy being Queen, didn't like to push it.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Snow White's Acne by Denise Duhamel: A Critical Interpretation
Denise Duhamel's Snow White's Acne is a modern-day interpretation of the classic fairy tale, Snow White. The poem takes on a satirical tone, as it critiques the traditional portrayal of women and beauty in fairy tales. This literary criticism and interpretation will explore the themes present in Snow White's Acne, analyze the use of symbolism and imagery, and examine the poem's structure and style.
Themes
One of the primary themes in Snow White's Acne is the representation of women in fairy tales. Duhamel challenges the traditional depiction of women as passive, helpless beings whose worth is determined by their physical beauty alone. The poem subverts this portrayal by highlighting the imperfections of Snow White. Duhamel draws attention to the fact that Snow White is not a perfect, flawless princess but a real human being with flaws and blemishes, just like everyone else.
Another theme present in Snow White's Acne is the pressure to conform to societal beauty standards. Snow White's acne serves as a metaphor for the unrealistic beauty expectations placed on women. Duhamel suggests that these expectations are harmful and damaging, leading to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. By portraying Snow White's acne as a natural part of her beauty, Duhamel challenges this toxic beauty culture and encourages readers to accept themselves and others for who they are.
Symbolism and Imagery
The use of symbolism and imagery in Snow White's Acne is significant in conveying the themes of the poem. The most prominent symbol in the poem is Snow White's acne. Acne is traditionally seen as an imperfection, a flaw to be covered up and hidden away. However, Duhamel flips this perception on its head, using Snow White's acne as a symbol of individuality and authenticity. By refusing to conform to society's expectations of beauty, Snow White embraces her true self, imperfections and all.
The imagery in Snow White's Acne is also crucial in conveying the poem's themes. Duhamel uses vivid, sensory language to describe Snow White's acne, painting a picture of a real, flawed human being. The imagery is also used to contrast Snow White's imperfections with the traditional portrayal of princesses in fairy tales. For example, Duhamel describes Snow White's acne as "dotted like the night sky," a stark contrast to the flawless, porcelain skin of traditional fairy tale princesses.
Structure and Style
The structure and style of Snow White's Acne are also significant in conveying the poem's themes. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This lack of structure represents the freedom and authenticity that comes with embracing one's imperfections. The poem is also divided into stanzas of varying lengths, allowing Duhamel to play with pacing and rhythm.
The style of Snow White's Acne is conversational and irreverent, with Duhamel frequently breaking the fourth wall to address the reader directly. This adds to the satirical tone of the poem and emphasizes the subversive nature of its message. Duhamel's use of humor and wit also helps to lighten the serious subject matter, making the poem engaging and relatable to readers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Denise Duhamel's Snow White's Acne is a thought-provoking and powerful poem that challenges traditional portrayals of women and beauty in fairy tales. Through the use of symbolism, imagery, structure, and style, Duhamel encourages readers to embrace their imperfections and reject harmful societal beauty standards. Snow White's acne serves as a symbol of individuality and authenticity, reminding readers that true beauty comes from within.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Snow White's Acne: A Modern Twist on a Classic Tale
Denise Duhamel's poem "Snow White's Acne" is a witty and satirical take on the classic fairy tale of Snow White. The poem explores the idea of beauty and the unrealistic expectations placed on women to conform to a certain standard of physical appearance. Through the use of humor and irony, Duhamel challenges the traditional narrative of Snow White and offers a fresh perspective on the story.
The poem begins with the line "Snow White had acne," immediately subverting the image of the flawless and perfect princess that we are accustomed to. This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with humorous and unexpected twists. Duhamel uses Snow White's acne as a metaphor for the imperfections that we all have, and the pressure to hide them in order to fit in with societal norms.
The poem goes on to describe Snow White's attempts to conceal her acne with makeup, but no matter how much she applies, it never seems to be enough. This is a commentary on the unrealistic beauty standards that women are expected to meet, and the constant pressure to look perfect at all times. Duhamel is highlighting the fact that these standards are unattainable and can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.
The poem also touches on the theme of jealousy and competition among women. When the prince arrives, Snow White's stepmother becomes jealous of her beauty and tries to kill her. This is a common trope in fairy tales, where women are pitted against each other in a battle for the attention of a man. Duhamel is criticizing this narrative and suggesting that women should not be defined by their relationships with men, but rather by their own individuality and strengths.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which Duhamel uses language to create a sense of irony and humor. For example, she describes Snow White's acne as "constellations on her forehead," which is a playful and imaginative way of describing something that is often seen as ugly or undesirable. Similarly, when the prince arrives, he is described as having "a face as smooth as a baby's bottom," which is a stark contrast to Snow White's acne-ridden face. This contrast highlights the absurdity of the beauty standards that we are expected to adhere to.
Another interesting aspect of the poem is the way in which Duhamel plays with the traditional narrative of Snow White. In the original story, Snow White is saved by a kiss from the prince, but in Duhamel's version, the prince is repulsed by her acne and leaves her alone. This is a powerful statement about the superficial nature of attraction and the way in which physical appearance can often overshadow other qualities that are more important.
Overall, "Snow White's Acne" is a clever and thought-provoking poem that challenges our preconceived notions about beauty and the expectations placed on women. Duhamel's use of humor and irony makes the poem accessible and engaging, while also conveying a deeper message about the importance of self-acceptance and individuality. By subverting the traditional narrative of Snow White, Duhamel encourages us to question the stories that we are told and to seek out new and alternative perspectives.
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