Little

Red Riding Hood

By the BROTHERS GRIMM
Translated by LUCY CRANE
Illustrated by WALTER CRANE

A Critical Theory Approach

By JENNA GARDNER
[Adapted from an idea
by J. D. Wilson, Jr.]
Examining a text through the lens of critical theory, with the idea Pre-critical: This is not really a theory of literary criticism so
of ascertaining a deeper meaning, can be an intimidating task to much as the basic groundwork that must be done before any
theory can be employed. A pre-critical reading is one that
high school and college students alike. This examination of Little identifies the basics of plot, theme, character, setting, tone,
Red Riding Hood is meant to allow you, the student, to learn atmosphere and the like. All readers, no matter how
sophisticated, or unsophisticated, must read at this level if what
about critical analysis. We will learn about prevailing critical they read is to make any sense.
theories and how they would be applied to a text that many of you
Formalist: A formal critic is one who seeks to understand the text
might remember from childhood. The goal of taking a children‘s by identifying the various literary and rhetorical devices that are
story like this is that it can be read superficially as an entertaining employed. The critic goes on to explain how the author uses
these devices to add meaning and richness to the work. Formal
story with a moral or more analytically through looking at the critics will pay attention not just to the use of imagery or
implications of the text and images. In fact fairy tales like Little metaphor in a work, for example, but how these images and
metaphors form patterns of meaning throughout the work. They
Red Riding Hood are so pervasive in Western culture that often will also pay attention to how the words sound together and how
they serve as allegories that other writers use as the basis for their techniques from one genre (poetry, for example) are used to
enrich a work written in another genre (prose, for example). This
stories. When you read Joyce Carol Oates‘ ―Where Are You is what the Advance Placement English Literature Exam is asking
Going, Where Have You Been?‖ do not be surprised if you see a you to do on the Poetry Essay (Q1) and the Prose Essay (Q2).
connection to this fairy tale. Mythological / Archetypal: This approach to literature assumes
Now while we do not wish to take the text and ―tie [it] to a that there is a collection of symbols, images, characters, and
motifs (i.e. archetypes) that evokes basically the same response
chair with rope and torture a confession‖ as poet Billy Collins in all people. According to the psychologist Carl Jung, mankind
would admonish us for doing. We do need to look below the possesses a "collective unconscious" that contains these
archetypes and that is common to all of humanity. For Jung this
surface of what we read to become critical readers and thinkers. explains how similar myths developed among groups of people
First we need to gain knowledge of the critical theories that had no known contact with each other and also explains why
they remain important to storytellers to the present day. A
that will be employed in analyzing Little Red Riding Hood. mythological critic might read a novel like The Great Gatsby and
show how it is really just a sophisticated retelling of the story of
―Beauty and the Beast‖ or how the novel To Kill a Mockingbird is darker, unconscious self (usually the villain in literature); the
a modern retelling of an initiation quest found in the myths and persona, or a man's social personality (usually the hero); and the
rituals of various cultures around the world. Myth critics identify anima, or a man's "soul image" (usually the heroine). A neurosis
these archetypal patterns and discuss how they function in the occurs when someone fails to assimilate one of these unconscious
works. They believe that these archetypes are the source of much components into his conscious and projects it on someone else.
of literature's power. The persona must be flexible and be able to balance the
components of the psyche.
Psychological: These critics view works through the lens of
psychology. They look either at the psychological motivations of Feminist: A feminist critic sees cultural and economic disabilities
the characters or of the authors themselves, although the former is in a ―patriarchal‖ society that have hindered or prevented women
generally considered a more respectable approach. from realizing their creative possibilities and women‘s cultural
Freudian Approach: A Freudian approach often includes identification as merely a negative object, or ―Other,‖ to man as
pinpointing the influences of a character's id (the instinctual, the defining and dominating ―Subject.‖ There are several
pleasure seeking part of the mind), superego (the part of the mind assumptions and concepts held in common by most feminist
that represses the id's impulses) and the ego (the part of the mind critics.
that controls but does not repress the id's impulses, releasing them 1. Our civilization is pervasively patriarchal.
in a healthy way). Freudian critics like to point out the sexual 2. The concepts of gender‖ are largely, if not entirely,
implications of symbols and imagery, since Freud's believed that cultural constructs, effected by the omnipresent patriarchal
all human behavior is motivated by sexuality. They tend to see bias of our civilization.
concave images, such as ponds, flowers, cups, and caves as 3. This patriarchal ideology also pervades those writings that
female symbols; whereas objects that are longer than they are have been considered great literature. Such works lack
wide are usually seen as phallic symbols. Dancing, riding, and autonomous female role models, are implicitly addressed
flying are associated with sexual pleasure. Water is usually to male readers, and leave the alien outsider or else solicit
associated with birth, the female principle, the maternal, the her to identify against herself by assuming male values
womb, and the death wish. Freudian critics occasionally discern and ways of perceiving, feeling, and acting.
the presence of an Oedipus complex (a boy's unconscious rivalry Feminists often argue that male fears are portrayed through
with his father for the love of his mother) in the male characters female characters. Under this theory you would focus on the
of certain works, such as Hamlet. relationships between genders by examining the patterns of
Jungian Approach: Jung is also an influential force in myth thought, behavior, values, enfranchisement, and power in
(archetypal) criticism. Psychological critics are generally relations between the sexes.
concerned with his concept of the process of individuation (the
process of discovering what makes one different form everyone
else). Jung labeled three parts of the self: the shadow, or the
Marxist: A Marxist critic grounds theory and practice on the Historical: Historical / Biographical critics see works as the
economic and cultural theory of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, reflection of an author's life and times (or of the characters' life
especially on the following claims: and times). They believe it is necessary to know about the author
1. The evolving history of humanity, its institutions and its and the political, economical, and sociological context of his
ways of thinking are determined by the changing mode of times in order to truly understand his works. Using this theory
its ―material production‖—that is, of its basic economic requires that you apply to a text a specific historical information
organization. about the time during which an author wrote. History, in this case,
2. Historical changes in the fundamental mode of production refers to the social, political, economic, cultural, and or
effect essential changes both in the constitution and power intellectual climate of the time. For example, William Faulkner
relations of social classes. wrote many of his novels and stories during and after World War
3. Human consciousness in any era is constituted by an II, which helps explain the feeling of darkness, defeat, and
ideology—that is, a set of concepts, beliefs, values and a struggle that pervade much of his work.
way of thinking and feeling through which humans
perceive and explain what they take to be reality. A Reader-Response: These critics place their focus on the reader
Marxist critic typically undertakes to ―explain‖ the rather than text. Rather than looking for a definitive reading of a
literature of any era by revealing the economic, class, and text they are interested in readers‘ responses to the text, how they
ideological determinants of the way an author writes, and experience the text. Some would argue that in trying to dig out
examine the relation of the text to the social reality of that hidden meanings in a text the enjoyment of the text is lost as is its
time and place. effect on the life of the reader. Reading is a creative act and as a
This school of critical theory focuses on power and money in text only provides the words the reader‘s imagination must supply
works of literature. Who has the power/ money? Who does not? the images and make the applications of the text‘s meaning to her
What happens as a result? For example, it could be said that or his own life experience. For some reader-response critics the
Wuthering Heights is about how love cannot survive a difference text is re-authored each time it is read and no two people read the
in class. Heathcliff and Catherine‘s love is destroyed because same text in exactly the same way, they do not author the same
Hindley has placed Heathcliff so low that it would ―degrade‖ book. There is also inherent in this critical approach a desire to
Catherine to marry him as much as she loves him, thus she return ecstasy, awe, and wonder to our reading of literature.
―betrays [her] own heart‖ to marry Edgar who has the class and Because each reader responds to the text differently this analysis
wealth to elevate Catherine. Young Catherine and Hareton‘s love is left blank so that each reader can create her or his own literary
is only possible when she raises him up to her class with literacy response to the text. As you examine the packet, write your own
and because they inherit Wuthering Heights and Thrushcross response to the text and images you read and see.
Grange upon Heathcliff‘s death
 Pre-critical: This is the story of a little girl who is being sent out on her own
on a journey. The implication that this might be a quest is presented; which
means that self-knowledge will be the outcome. The illustration shows the
mother as both comforting as she encircles the girl and intimidating as she
points out her path in both an authoritative and warning manner.

Formalist: ―A long time ago,‖ a traditional opening for a fairy tale, suggests
immediately a world of fantasy and that we are reading a story that will contain
a moral. Much of the language is focused on the mother giving the daughter
directions on not only where to go but how to go. The fact that the mother has
to give so many directions suggests that our heroine has difficulty conforming.
Her mother‘s wish that she leave before it gets ―hot‖ along with the red color of
her cloak suggests that Red Riding Hood might be a passionate character.

Mythological/ Archetypal: In the opening we are introduced to the archetypal

mother. She represents life, nourishment, nurture, warmth, and protection. The
fact that she commands the daughter to stay on ―the path‖ suggests that she
takes on the role of mentor as her daughter/ pupil begins on a journey that is
not simply to deliver goodies, but that she is on a path to maturity and self
knowledge. The mother and archetypal wise woman is sending Red Riding
Hood to her mother who once guided her on the right path to take in life.

Psychological: Even though Red Riding Hood is presenting herself

submissively to her, the fact that the mother feels the need to warn her to stay
on the path suggests that Red Riding Hood may be a bit rebellious as the red
color of her cloak implies.

Feminist: The illustration shows both Red Riding Hood and her mother
wearing aprons, which suggests time spent doing traditional female activities of
cleaning and cooking, and a stereotypical concern to keep their clothing and
thus appearance attractive. No father is present or mentioned; however, the
A LONG time ago, in a house near a wood, mother‘s concern that Red Riding Hood stays on ―the path‖ and be careful not
As most pretty histories go, to break open the wine bottle indicates a patriarchal fear of the maiden being
A nice little girl lived, called Red Riding Hood, compromised and sullied by an outside world full of amorous males. She is
As some of us already know. also given instructions by her mother on how to present herself in a proper
One day said her mother, “Get ready, my dear, feminine fashion; ―walk nicely and quietly‖ and stay on ―the path.‖
“And take to your granny some cakes, Marxist: This tale is already setting up the beginning of a lesson. Red Riding
And a bottle of wine to soothe her Hood is being told how to follow the rules of society. She has a place and she
And ask after her pains and aches. must stay in it. However, she is wearing a red riding hood. The fact that it is red
Set out before it gets hot suggests a desire to stand out and not be subjugated by class also it is s ―riding‖
And when you are on your journey, coat indicating that she has a desire to be a rider as the bourgeoisie or upper
class would be able to do.
Walk nicely and quietly, not off like a shot.
Do not run off the path along the way, Historical: In France in the 1600‘s, when the version originated that gave the
Or you may end up falling and break the wine pot.” main character a red riding hood, clothing codes were strictly enforced. For a
village girl like Little Red Riding Hood to wear a ―red riding hood‖ made her a
nonconformist. Thus the wearing of the red cap sets up Little Red Riding Hood
as not doing what one should.
 Pre-critical: This is Red Riding Hood‘ first meeting with the Woolf. His
human like stance and the wearing of a cloak that mimics the look of sheep‘s
wool makes us wonder about the intentions of a ‗wolf in sheep‘s clothing.‘
While his words are polite and tender, the wolf‘s garb and how he leans into
her space implies that he may pose danger—the danger Red Riding Hood‘s
mother has warned her about.

Formalist: Red Riding Hood is ―obliging‖ in listening and the Wolf is ―tender‖
in speaking with her. A connection is being made and the fact that Red Riding
Hood tells him ―all‖ indicates that she is surrendering to him. His familiarity in
asking her to give his ―love‖ to her grandmother and his promise to call on her
as soon as he can also illustrates an intimacy between the two of them.

Mythological/ Archetypal: The fact that this seduction by the wolf is

occurring under a tree connects it with the devil‘s seduction of Eve in the
Garden of Eden. Red Riding Hood is our Eve who is being tempted into
knowledge of good and evil. Instead of following the orders of her mother
(creator) she has been tempted to stop. The question is will she stay on the path
or make take a bite from the proverbial apple and make her own choices.

Psychological: Eye contact is very important in the Wolf/maiden intimacy of

this moment. The shadow, or the darker, unconscious self, our wolf villain and
the heroine, the anima, or a man's ―soul image‖ gaze into each others eyes.
Their eyes (I) are on the same plane, and they mirror each other with the
casually crossed arms. The Wolf is anamorphized and friendly as if he had
been waiting for her. The implication is that they are connected.

Feminist: An intimate gaze has been established but the wood staff separates
them. This phallic symbol draws a clear line between them—one is masculine
and one is feminine. The desires of the unconsciousness will not be fulfilled as
Out set Riding Hood, so obliging and sweet, the woodcutters; the moral guardians of the patriarchal system keep watch from
And she met a great Wolf in the wood, the background.
Who begun most politely the maiden to greet.
In as tender a voice as he could Marxist: The fact that Red Riding Hood and the Wolf meet in the forest a
place without society and its social designations means that they can meet as
He asked in what house she was going and why; equals; however, the finer garb of Red Riding Hood‘s cloak suggests that she is
Red Riding Hood answered him all: attempting to associate herself with a higher class than the wolf or the two
He said, “Give my love to your Gran; I will try woodcutters who look on and inadvertently act as protectors.
At my earliest leisure to call.”
Historical: Perrault and the Grimm versions of this tale were written with an
upper class audience in mind, and so by dressing the Wolf in peasants clothing
they signal that their audience is not to be associated with the wolf and his
possibly nefarious intentions.
 Pre-critical: As the Wolf exits he reverts to his animal persona by running off
on all fours, and now Red Riding Hood has moved lower to the ground as well
giving into her desires rather than staying on the path.

Formalist: Red Riding Hood lingers and looks collecting flowers giving into
the pleasures of the senses rather than staying on her mission to her
grandmother. Her quest is in jeopardy because she seems to by yearning for
something she cannot find. Her love of ―wild flowers‖ indicates a desire to be
as wild and free as the flowers she is collecting.

Mythological / Archetypal: Like Narcissus Red Riding Hood has fallen in

love with her own image—the image of herself that she sees metaphorically
reflected in the flowers. The danger is that like Narcissus she will fall to her
doom.

Psychological: The Wolf acts as her Id and represents her desires. After
meeting him, she no longer walks purposefully, but lingers and plays. The
Wolf by stopping her has enlightened her to the sensory (sensual) pleasures that
are just beyond the well-worn path, the flowers. The path is her conscious or
knowable mind, while the woods representing her unconscious also symbolize
all that she has yet to explore.

Feminist: Free from the watchful eyes of the woodcutters, Red Riding Hood is
able to make her own decisions. She is no longer a bud but has become a
blooming flower. She is becoming a woman and running off the path
designated by a patriarchal society that wishes her to be a good girl.

Marxist: Free from the watchful eyes of society and no longer concerned with
manners or class, Red Riding Hood lowers herself to the ground, the earth. She
Off he ran, and Red Riding Hood went on her way, enjoys the true worth of the land rather than the trappings of society. It is wild
But often she lingered and played, flowers that intrigue her and even the Wolf begins to remove the trapping of
And made as she went quite a pretty nosegay class, his peasant clothes.
With the wild flowers that grew in the glade. Historical: Grimm‘s version was based on Perrault‘s tale that saw female
So as she ran from the path (against which she had been warned) independence as a dangerous thing. The Grimm‘s were influenced by the fear
Looking for flowers farther than she should. of foreign invasion as a result of the Franco-Prussian war. These elements
With each one, she saw a still prettier one for which she yearned serve to illustrate that Red Riding Hood is moving into dangerous terrain by
And so got deeper and deeper into the wood. leaving the safe path of society.
 Pre-critical: The grandmother appears weak and vulnerable and is enveloped
in white suggesting purity and possibly the paleness of death. The wolf appears
more menacing as if he is trying to scratch down the door. A human persona
seems more out of place than it did in his interaction with Red Riding Hood.

Formalist: The knock at the door is the knock of death. The grandmother has
two lines of life before the Wolf eats her up in the fourth line. The description
of him as a cannibal is telling. How can an animal eating a human be a
cannibalistic act? The Wolf is not just an animal he is the animal side of our
human nature.

Mythological / Archetypal: The grandmother has failed to fulfill the role of

the wise woman. The spinning wheel echoes the idea of the three fates spinning
the length of our life. One spins (the grandmother), one measures (the mother)
and one cuts it (Red Riding Hood). By Red Riding Hood‘s indiscreet disclosure
to the Wolf she has cut short her Grandmother‘s life. It is left to see if her
But in the meanwhile the Wolf went, with a grin, grandchild will have the maturity to act as the heroine and save her own life or
At the Grandmother’s cottage to call; if she will become the virgin sacrifice to this Wolf‘s desires.
He knocked at the door, and was told to come in,
Then he ate her up—sad cannibal! Psychological: The Wolf as humanity‘s animal instincts and specifically man‘s
instinct to hunt women is clearly shown. The grandmother as an older non-
Then the Wolf shut the door, and got into bed, fertile woman deserves little attention. The waiting and work for the nubile
And waited for Red Riding Hood; young girl is the primary focus of this wolfish being.
When he heard her soft tap at the front door, he said,
Speaking softly as ever he could: Feminist: The Wolf‘s easy and brutal disposal of the grandmother illustrates
the lack of value that a male dominated society places on older women who are
no longer attractive or able to bear children. The attempt to feminize, speak
―softly‖ as he can to Red Riding Hood is an attempt to lure a naïve young
woman into his dominating male clutches. It mimics the act of seduction.

Marxist: The grandmother while weak has still attempted to be a useful

member of society as the industry of her spinning wheel suggests. The disposal
of her by the Wolf illustrates the danger of individualism. The Wolf wants
something, something that is not good for the collective society. In order to
gain it he must destroy the communal good.

Historical: The height of the witch hunts were just calming down when
Perrault began to write down his version of this previously oral tale. Older
women, who were seen as a burden on society, were often targeted as witches
and killed. The grandmother, who seems bedridden, echoes this. The fact that
many versions of the tale present the grandmother as the creator of Red Riding
Hood‘s red cloak also connects her with the idea of witches corrupting others.
 Pre-critical: Red Riding Hood‘s far from innocent now her direct gaze
indicates that her journey has matured her. The wolf prints on the stoop
illustrate a danger beyond the door that Red Riding Hood is oblivious to.

Formalist: Red Riding Hood‘s declarative statement, ―It is I‖ and

characterizing herself as her grandmother‘s ―dear grandchild‖ illustrates the
confidence she has gained as a result of her journey.

Mythological / Archetypal: This lack of awareness of the danger facing her

signals ‗The Fall‘ for Red Riding Hood: a descent in action from a higher to a
lower state of being, an experience which might involve defilement, moral
imperfection, and/or loss of innocence. This fall is often accompanied by
expulsion from a kind of paradise as penalty for disobedience and/or moral
transgression.

Psychological: The door in the picture remains closed, but the text clearly
shows that Red Riding Hood has opened a door to enter into what she believes
is the safe domain of her grandmother. The Wolf‘s request that she not only
enter but ―come into bed to your Gran‖ demonstrates the male desire to lure
young women into bed. The fact that Red Riding Hood is wearing a red cloak
and has wine (a red liquid) suggest a complicity in this attempt by the Wolf—
an attempt of seduction or perhaps rape.

Feminist: Red Riding Hood‘s assertive and level stare illustrate her desire to
be the equal to a man as she authoritatively knocks on the door. However, this
image makes it clear that an obedient downcast feminine gaze, as she displayed
in the first image of the story, would have alerted her to the impending danger,
signaled by the wolf prints on the stoop. Red Riding Hood is being punished
for her independence.
“Who is there?”
Marxist: The fact that Red Riding Hood is bringing her grandmother indulgent
“It is I, your dear grandchild; I’ve brought treats such as wine and nice little cakes shows a concern with the trappings of
Some wine and nice little cakes.” the bourgeoisie class rather than providing good nourishing staples such as
“Pull the bobbin1, my child, and come in as you ought; buttermilk and bread. This again demonstrates that the intended audience for
I’m in bed very bad with my aches.” this tale is an upper class reader.
When she entered the room, the old Woolf hid himself
Historical: The fact that the grandmother has to tell her how to open the door
Very carefully (such was his plan): indicates that the door is usually barred and must be opened by the
“Put your basket and things, little dear on the shelf, grandmother. This unconsciously echoes the fears experienced at the time the
And come into bed to your Gran,” Grimm brothers were composing this tale—the fear of foreign invaders
(symbolized by the Wolf) getting in and attacking them.
1device
consisting of a short bar and a length of string, used to control a
wooden door latch
 Pre-critical: Although the text makes it clear that the interaction between the
Wolf and Red Riding Hood occurs with Red Riding Hood in bed, the image
places Red Riding Hood across the room. She is also removing her red cloak as
if to symbolically remove her seductive persona.

Formalist: Throughout the dialogue in which Red Riding Hood is laying down
next to the Wolf that she believes is her grandmother, we begin to question her
gullibility. She points out how all of his protruding parts (arms, ears, teeth) are
so big. She also comments on his large eyes

Mythological / Archetypal: Now that Red Riding Hood is finally faced with
her fate in a place that should be a refuge she is confronted with ‗the creature of
nightmare‘ – this monster, is both physical and abstract, is summoned from the
deepest, darkest parts of the human psyche (the inference is it is from Red
Riding Hood‘s psyche) to threaten her life, implying that she is culpable for her
own attack.

Psychological: If the Wolf is the shadow, or the darker, unconscious self, the
villain and the heroine, is the anima, or a man's ―soul image.‖ Then it is the
unconscious desires of men (the hero‘s villainous side) to seduce and control
women that are being illustrated through Red Riding Hood‘s predicament. She
becomes an image of lust for the male reader and a warning to the female
reader.

Feminist: The comments on arms, ears, teeth, and eyes being large and the
Wolf‘s response that these attribute will better allow him to take her in by
holding, hearing, seeing and ultimately eating her illustrates the culture of male
domination and perhaps even brutal domination of rape prevalent in patriarchal
The obedient child laid herself down by the side societies.
Of her Grandmother dear (as she thought):
But all at once, “Granny!” Red Riding Hood cried, Marxist: Her obedience and conforming to authority even when it is
“What, very long arms you have got!” threatening is illustrated by the removal of her red cloak. That fact that she lays
down as commanded but still questions shows that oppressed groups must
He answered, “The better to hug you, my child.” question and protest dictatorial ways.
“But, Granny, what very large ears!”
“The better to hear you,” the voice was still mild, Historical: This ready obedience of Red Riding Hood illustrates the
But the little girl hid her fears. developing middle class value being placed on the obedient behavior of
“Grandmother, you have very large eyes!” children.
“The better to see you, I trow2.”
“What great teeth you have got!” and the wicked Wolf cries,
“The better to eat you up now!”
2
(verb) to think, believe, or trust
 Pre-critical: Red Riding Hood is back where she started. A protective and
authoritative figure envelopes her and points out the dangers of life (the Wolf)
as her mother pointed authoritatively for her to stay on the correct path.

Formalist: The only language that Red Riding Hood gets, after her previously
talkative questioning of the Wolf, is a shriek and a cry. Her failed attempt at
independence has failed and now she is even denied a voice.

Mythological / Archetypal: Red Riding Hood is no longer the quester. She

has failed ‗the initiation‘ and her ‗journey‘ that led to maturity has resulted in
her experiencing ‗the fall.‘ She is no longer the hero of her own story. She has
become the ‗damsel in distress‘—a vulnerable woman must be rescued by the
hero.

Psychological: The red cloak is no where in the sight and as in the first image
Red Riding Hood is now Little Red Riding Hood again. She is diminished and
clutches at the man‘s label as if begging to be protected in an embrace from a
father figure. As a father has been missing through the entire story the
implication is that the Red Riding Hood has been seeking a father figure and
that is why the Wolf is almost successful in his attack.

Feminist: Red Riding Hood has not fought her own battle. Instead she has
been saved at the last minute by a man, a man carrying a phallic weapon
symbolizing his power and her vulnerability to the dangers offered by the
world. She has learned her lesson and will now stay on the right path. Whether
this path, dictated by a patriarchal society, will bring happiness is left
questionable

Marxist: The strong can either protect or oppress the weak, and the implication
is that all those oppressed must rise up or they will live at the whims of those
both evil and strong and benevolent and strong.
Red Riding Hood shrieked, and—bang! off went a gun
And shot the old Wolf through the head: Historical: The strong protective man with the gun illustrates how palpable the
One howl and one moan, one kick and one groan, fear has been historically of wolves in Europe. During harsh winters and in
times of conflict wolves were pushed into the places where humanity lived to
And the wicked old rascal was dead.
find food. There are even reports of wolves roaming the streets of Paris during
Some sportsman (he certainly was a dead shot) particularly lean times. The killing of the Wolf illustrates this prejudice and
Had aimed at the Wolf when she cried; why wolves were hunted to near extinction in Europe. Conversely wolves were
So Red Riding Hood got safe home—did she not? seen as symbols of strength and for this hunter to overcome the Wolf sends a
And lived happily there till she died. message of male dominance of nature that was developing through the 1700s
and 1800s.
 Moral of the Tale

Pre-Critical: The story points out the consequences of

Feminist: Red Riding Hood has the mind and desire to seek
attempting independence and individuality. Good little girls, do
independence, but not the means to secure of protect it. She
not stray from the path. Dangerous things can happen.
questions the Wolf, but cannot fight him off due to a patriarchal
society which tells her to respect her elders and has led her to get
Formalist: Language is used more for description. Looking is
in to the bed with the Wolf, thus putting her in a vulnerable
important in this story. Most of the dialogue are commands
situation. She does not have a gun or the masculine strength
directed at her, and when she is most vocal is at the point when
associated with it.
she is in the most danger. Illustrating the desire for children to be
seen and not heard.
Marxist: Little Red Riding Hood‘s attempt for power of the
upper class is stripped away as her red hood and cloak have been.
Mythological/ Archetypal: In this story we see the archetypal
Those that seek to challenge society will be punished or destroyed
hero-quest of initiation. The quest follows the three step
by it. She is rendered voiceless at the end of the tale represented
archetypal pattern of the initiation quest: 1) separation, 2)
voiceless oppressed.
transformation, and 3) return. But it is a quest whose ‗return‘ is a
return to conformity to patriarchal and middle class ideals. Little
Historical: The Wolf and the vulnerable Little Red Riding Hood
Red Riding Hood ends the tale with no voice, diminished in size
illustrates the times in which this tale was standardized by the Brothers
by the looming force of the hunter, and divested of her red hood. Grimm. The Grimm‘s were influenced by the fear of foreign invasion as
a result of the Franco-Prussian war. Little Red Riding Hood represents
Psychological: The message of this story is that if one is to the vulnerability of the everyday people ―the volk‖ during this time of
achieve safety in life she or he must not take risks and instead war and uncertainty.
accept the guidance of those older and wiser. Failure to stay on
the right path determined by society can lead into danger as Reader-Response:
shown by the woods and what happens to Red Riding Hood‘s
grandmother and what almost happens to her.
 CONSULTED WORKS

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Grimm. Walter Crane, illustrator. London: Macmillan & Co.
http://www.usm.edu/english/fairytales/lrrh/lrrhki.htm
Foster, T. C. (2003). How to Read Literature Like a Professor: A
Lively and Entertaining Guide to Reading Between the
Lines. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.
Hamilton Burris, S. (1999). Literary Criticism: An Overview of
Approaches. Retrieved from
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