Snow White in West and South Slavic Tradition.

This paper analyzes the tale-type Snow White (AaTh/ATU 709) in the folk tradition of West and South Slavs, which preserves different versions of this tale. AaTh/ATU 709 is found among all West and South Slavic groups, with the exception of Kashubians from the vicinity of Gdańsk, Polabians, a minority (now extinct) in Germany, and the South Slavs in Montenegro. The paper examines the characteristics of the tales, both from the aspect of their contents and meaning as well as their imagery, reflecting social rituals, transition rites, regional and cultural characteristics, and temporal and spatial aspects that have been preserved in them. These tales emphasize the role of the mother, which seems to be a contrasting (mirror) image of the midwinter deity. Interesting elements in the Slavic Snow White tales are the temporary dwelling of the heroine and the creatures with which the girl finds shelter, their number and their appearance, which vary considerably. The motif of the heroine's marriage to the chieftain of these men who live in the forest may be connected with the custom of the false marriage: it had a protective function which served to ensure a happy marriage with the right man. While the many layers of this fairy-tale remain hidden to the average reader, its multifarious variants exhibit regional peculiarities and elements from local history. Influences from Central European, East Slavic, Mediterranean and Oriental, especially Turkish traditions can be traced throughout the texts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]