Intro & Review

In Fairest, Gail Carson Levine takes a spin on the classical tale of Snow White and recreates the story in a different fashion, though still using many similar plot devices. Levine's version of the story is just as intriguing as the original, and possibly even more exciting and adventurous, because she takes the complications of the characters and the storyline to a new level. The main character, Aza, is a teenage girl who is described to be like Snow White. Pale skin, blood red lips, and dark hair. Like her parallel, Aza has a wonderful singing voice. However, she is flawed. Aza was not blessed with the good looks of Snow White. And because she is fears being cast away by the rest of society, she grows up introverted and wishing she was pretty like every one else.

Aza is so obsessed with being beautiful that it ultimately becomes her biggest weakness. So throughout the novel, Levine keeps the characters revolving around central conflict in the novel, the desire to be beautiful. (And the protagonist is not the only one who craves beauty.). At the end, the moral is cliché yet inspirational. The audience is told that they should stop trying to look like everyone else, and to accept the way they look. Humans are unique and beautiful the way they are.

Because Levine kept the plot moving forward throughout the story, the story line was exhilarating and filled with excitement. In the tale, it's interesting to see how Aza matures from a teenager into a young adult, learning many of life's lessons. The 'hook' of the story that lures readers in is that there seems to be an Aza in every girl, one that is insecure and constantly self-conscious of their appearance. Therefore, it is easier for readers to relate to the main character.

significant quotes

  • “Mother and Father sent Areida to finishing school...Their notion was that a refined young woman would raise the tone of the inn. I understood. Why spend the money on the ugly sister, who stayed out of sigh as much as possible? Why spend money on the ugly sister when no amount of finishing would alter her face? I felt hurt anyways.” (025).
    Explanation Because Aza has grown up knowing that she was never beautiful, she has a very fragile self-esteem. So when her sister was sent off to a finishing school, Aza was very bitter, because she knew her parents would probably never send her to one. She accepted the truth, but she still could not bring herself to support her parents' well-meant intentions. However, if Aza had more confidence in herself, she would probably not be suffering as much grief as she is.

  • “I hesitated over the apple, but I couldn't resist. I bit into it...I began to swallow, then tasted something under the sweetness, something bitter and searingly sharp. The peddler bent over me, her expression a mix of remorse and gloating...She had poisoned me!” (266-267).
    Explanation After Aza becomes beautiful with the help of Skulni, Ivi becomes extremely jealous, as Aza is now more beautiful than her. So, Ivi resorts to going into a disguise then giving Aza a poison apple. The scene is very similar to when the Queen poisons Snow White with a poison apple. This quote shows a close similarity between Fairest and Snow White.

  • “I didn't try to change my appearance again. But fashions in beauty change, and perhaps my ascension to royalty hastened the alteration. Pulpy cheeks never became the rage, but my complexion came to be called vivid. My size became stately." (325).
    Explanation By the end of the novel, Aza's opinion of beauty significantly changes. She no longer pines for a beauty that she can't have, and she has grown to accept her own body and image. Levine is wise to think that it's important for readers to know that you can't change your appearance, but if you maintain a optimistic, you will be able to find the true beauty in yourself.

    key characters, comparison & symbols

    Aza (Parallel - Snow White) - The protagonist, the adopted daughter of an innkeeper in the kingdom of Ayortha. She is has many of the same qualities as Snow White, yet at the same time she is much more complicated and three-dimensional. Aza befriends many people at the palace, including Ivi and Ijori.

    Ivi (Parallel - Queen) - Ivi is a young girl from another kingdom who becomes Queen of Ayortha after marrying King Oscaro. She lacks a decent singing ability so when she sees Aza's talent, she blackmails Aza into singing for her. However, she is not as evil as the queen in Snow White, as she shows concern for others, and we later see that she was being manipulated by the main antagonist.

    Prince Ijori (Parallel - Prince Charming) - As the king's nephew, Ijori is the future heir to the throne. During Aza's stay in the king's palace, he befriends her and soon falls in love with her.

    Gnomes (Parallel - Dwarfs) - The gnomes in Fairest are similar to the dwarfs in Snow White. They are very hospitable to the Aza and Snow White, respectively, and provide for her comfort and safety. In Fairest, however, Aza is more closely knit with the gnomes, as she is part gnome.

    Skulni (Parallel - Mirror) - He is the key antagonist in the novel that lives inside a mirror which was given to Ivi by the fairy Lucinda. He is shrewd and manipulative, influencing Ivi's actions while in the palace, causing her to abuse her powers. Like the mirror in Snow White, Skulni and the mirror in this novel are major elements of the story.

    author biography

    Gail Carson Levine
    Born: 9/17/1947
    Birthplace: New York, NY
    Published Books: 16


    Gail Carson Levine's claim to fame was in 1997 after the publishing her first novel, Ella Enchanted. The book was a hit, and became a Newbery Honor book in 1998. Since then, Levine has published both fictional and nonfictional books as well as fantasy and reality based story lines. She is most famous for her writings in the category of fantasy and fairy tales. Her latest book is titled Ever, which is also a fantasy novel.

    notes

    Project by: Christy Chen
    Period 2
    Mrs. Battey
    Independent Reading #1, Semester 1