Little Red Riding Hood
Charles Perrault's Le petit Chaperon rouge
Perrault's Le Petite Chaperon Rouge was written for the educated upper class during the seventeenth century. He transformed the tale into an upper class version to suit the expected behaviour and roles of women at the time. This version differs to the original oral folktale in both stucture and content (Dundes, 1989, p.3).
Perrault introduced the motif of the red hood. Many scholars have researched its symbolism. Unfortunately, it is not clear why Perrault introduced the red cloak. However, research does indicate that the colour red at time was associated with sin, sensuality, and the devil (Zipes, 1993,p.6).
Perrault’s peasant protagonist is beautiful, spoiled, and particularly gullible. Her innocence and vulnerability is shown in the tale when Perrault writes “When she heard the gruff voice of the wolf, Little Red Riding Hood was scared at first, but, believing that her Grandmother had a cold", Little Red Riding Hood responded with “It’s your Granddaughter, Little Red Riding Hood.”
The intended moral of this tale was to warn young women of the educated upper class to be alert of people, despite how well you may know them. This version also addresses the subject of seduction and rape. Furthermore, in the seventeenth century, corrupt men were often accused of committing harmful acts to young females (Beresford, 2013). Consequently, the character of Little Red Riding Hood depicts a young, innocent peasant who is a victim of rape. Whereas the wolf is a representation of a man.
The story does not end well for the protagonist as she is "eaten" by the wolf.
Moral:
One sees here that young children, especially young girls, pretty, well brought- up and gentle, should never listen to anyone who happens by, and if this occurs, it is not so strange, when the wolf should eat them. I say the wolf-for all wolfs are not the same kind. There are some with winning ways, not loud, not bitter, not angry, who are tame, good natured, and pleasant, and follow young ladies right into their homes, right into their alcoves. But alas for those who do not know that all of the wolves the docile ones are those who are most dangerous (Zipes, 1993, p.93).
Recommended reading for further research
Delaney, B. (2006). Perrault’s Little Red Riding Hood. The explicator, 64 (2), 70-72. doi: 10.3200/EXPL.64.2.70-72.
