Both of these versions reflect the times of the 19th century, raising the subjects of mothers dying in childbirth and the domestication of woment which were both prevalent during these times.

The real mother being present at the beginning gives greater meaning to the Snow White character and how she came into being.  There is a focus on the three colours and the mother in the Grimm version of Snow White that are left out of Disney’s.  AS Snow White’s name comes specifically from the wishes of her mother it seems as though Disney has left out a key plot point of the story as Snow White is simply an orphan. 
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In both versions the stepmother is seen to be a vein and jealous character.  The mirror reflects these characteristics in the Queen as mirrors are often used more by people that have a lot of self love rather than a love for others.  Inevitably one could say that the Queen sentenced herself to her death when she became jealous of her daughter and took what the mirror said to heart.    
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In the Disney version the dwarfs are more playful and the story has more of an emphasis on them then can be found in the Grimm version. In both versions the dwarfs warn Snow white of strangers. However, because the witch only comes once in the Disney version, their parental role is not as aparent then it is in the Grimm version.

Snow White, in Disney’s version is a servant at the beginning of the story for her stepmother.  This is a characteristic of many of Disney’s stories as they go from rags to riches.  The prince is introduced at the beginning of this version which could imply that Snow White is going to be in need of his help from the beginning.  Disney likes to create the heroine with a need for the male/prince figure to save them.  This implies that women in society need men to survive.

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Both Grimm and Disney domesticated Snow White as she did the housework for the Dwarfs in both versions, however in the Disney version she did it by choice and the Dwarfs made her in order for her to be able to stay with them.  The men go off to work whilst the woman stays at home cooking and cleaning.  In the Grimm version the Dwarfs come home and save Snow White when the Queen has tried to kill her.  Similarly, it is not until the prince and his servants carry Snow Whit away at the end of the story that the apple falls out of her mouth and she comes back to life. 

It is a Very naïve Snow White that can’t resist the Queen’s tricks and in the case of the Grimm versions, falls for the tricks of the Queen three times.  It isn’t until Snow White is saved by the Prince at the end of the story that she is seen to be more mature and grow up.  This gives the impression that for a woman to mature she needs the help and guidance of a male.

 

*Pictures taken from the Disney version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs