Who Is Snow White's Stepmother
Snow White's stepmother is the queen who orders Snow White's death after a magic mirror declares Snow White the fairest. She is the central antagonist in the Brothers Grimm fairy tale "Snow White."
Why the Stepmother Is Important in the Story
The stepmother drives the plot through her jealousy and obsession with being the most beautiful woman. Her repeated attempts to kill Snow White create the story's main conflict and lead to Snow White's escape into the forest.
Origins and Adaptations of the Stepmother Character
The character first appeared in the Grimm brothers' 1812 collection of fairy tales. Later versions, including Disney's 1937 animated film, renamed her the Evil Queen. For more background on the tale and its many adaptations, see the Snow White page on Wikipedia.
