lead the discussion
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - 1937
Movie Info
Rating: G
Age-appropriateness: some scary scenes
Overview: Exiled into the dangerous forest by her wicked stepmother, a princess is rescued by seven dwarf miners who make her part of their household. The Queen has intense jealousy for Snow White and tempts her in a parallel story to Genesis 3. The loyal dwarfs show true friendship to their friend.
Themes: beauty, friendship, jealousy, personalities, strangers, purity, work ethic, deceit, tricky people, death/grieving
The Quick 3
Ask these quick questions to hit the major themes of the film.
1. Pure heart. How pure would you describe your own heart to be? In what ways do you still need to grow and improve so that your heart is more clean?
Snow White has a beautiful and pure heart. Matthew 5:8 says, "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God." To have a pure heart means to act lovingly toward God and toward others. And yet, we all sin and no one is perfect. A Common prayer for us could be something similar to Psalm 51:10: "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me."
2. Jealousy. What people are you jealous of? How can you show love to them instead of being jealous?
The Queen was incredibly jealous of Snow White’s beauty. Jealousy is wanting to have something that someone else has. 1 Corinthians 13:4 says, "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud."
3. Personality types. What personality traits do you think make you unique? Which sins are you most tempted to do?
The seven dwarfs all had one main personality trait that made them different. While each individual's personality type is amazing at its best, each one has unique temptations as well.
After The Movie Discussion Guide
Follow this 5-10 minute discussion guide to drive an in-depth conversation.
1. Which of the seven dwarfs are you most like? (Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, Dopey, Doc)
2. The seven dwarfs all had one main personality trait that made them different. While each individual's personality type is amazing at its best, each one has unique temptations as well. What personality traits do you think make you unique? Which sins are you most tempted to do?
3. The Queen was incredibly jealous of Snow White’s beauty. Jealousy is wanting to have something that someone else has. 1 Corinthians 13:4 says, "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud." What people are you jealous of? How can you show love to them instead of being jealous?
4. Snow White has a beautiful and pure heart. Matthew 5:8 says, "God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God." To have a pure heart means to act lovingly toward God and toward others. And yet, we all sin and no one is perfect. A Common prayer for us could be something similar to Psalm 51:10: "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me." How pure would you describe your own heart to be? In what ways do you still need to grow and improve so that your heart is more clean?
5. The Queen tempted Snow White with a poison apple. This storyline comes straight out of Genesis 3, in which we read about the first humans on Earth (Adam and Eve) being tempted with an apple. Satan, disguised as a snake, tempts Adam and Eve with the bite of an apple. He said that if they eat the fruit, they will be like God. Because Adam and Eve both disobeyed God's rules and they went ahead and ate the apple, sin entered the Earth and things were no longer perfect. We are all affected by sin today: our relationship with God is broken and we live in a broken world. How have you seen the affects of sin in this broken world? In what ways are you tempted to sin in order to be like God and make your own rules?
Minute By Minute Guide
Use this break down of the entire movie in addition to the “After the Movie” discussion guide. Great for repeat viewings.
:09 The Hunstman couldn’t kill Snow White. Even though he was ordered to do so. He did what was right, even though it was really hard and he had to disobey his orders from the Queen. Were you ever told to do something you knew was wrong? How do you respond when you know you should do the right thing, even if it’s really hard?
:17 When Snow White comes to the house and finds it so dirty, she presumes the best about the people who live there. She assumes there must be a good reason for them to not have the means to clean it themselves. Then she jumps right in and serves them by cleaning their house. Do you tend to think the best of others? Is it possible that you see someone’s mess but might neglect to think about what they might actually be going through (something no one is aware of)?
:23 “Dig-a-Dig Dig/Heigh Ho”. The seven dwarfs had a great work ethic, working really hard in the line until the day was done. Colossians 3:23 says, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Do you mostly feel lazy or do you work hard? How can you work in everything as if you were working for the Lord?
:47 The dwarfs give Grumpy a bath. Even though he doesn’t want to, Grumpy’s friends encourage him to be better. Do you have any friends that hold you accountable and encourage you to do the right thing?
:51 The Queen disguises herself to pretend to be an old lady in order to trick Snow White. Have you ever pretended to be someone you’re not? Is there any person that you act differently around?
1:00 Snow White prays to God before bedtime. She reminisces on her great day and her new friends by thanking God for them. How often do you look back with gratitude on the wonderful people God has put in your life? What friends are you most thankful that God gave you?
1:06 Doc tells Snow White to beware of strangers. When your parents aren’t around, don’t talk to strangers and never let them in your house. Do you feel like you know what to do when you’re around strangers? How can you tell if a person might be a tricky person?
Check out this article about How to Talk to Your Kids About Tricky People.
1:18 The dwarfs grieve what they think is the loss of their friend, the princess. How do you think they are feeling in this moment? When was the last time you had to grieve the loss of someone or something that was really close to you?
Here's an article about How to Talk to Your Child About Death/Grieving.