11/9 Little Red Riding Hood

“There are various kinds of wolves. There are also those who are charming, quiet, polite, unassuming, complacent, and sweet, who pursue young women at home and in the streets. And unfortunately, it is these gentle wolves who are the most dangerous ones of all.”

Charles Perrault, “Little Red Riding Hood”

In the 1600s, Charles Perrault wrote a satire about a beautiful little girl in a red cape… who ends up in the stomach of a ravenous wolf (National Geographic). As you’ve probably already guessed, it’s the classic story of “Little Red Riding Hood”. The centuries old tale of a girl being maliciously hoodwinked by a wolf with ill intentions still fascinates today because its lessons still resonate. We learned to listen to our parents, don’t stray far from the path, and most importantly, be weary of wolves. The term wolf can encompass more than just the animal; according to Perrault, it can also be a predator of the streets, willing to do anything to fulfill his hunger. Even though the tale is set deep in the past, these wolves are very much alive today.

Wolves can take any form and personality. In some interpretations of “Little Red Riding Hood”, the act of eating Little Red is seen as a metaphorical representation of rape (Zipes). Oftentimes, it’s the ones that appear harmless and innocent that inflict the most pain in the end. For example, in modern times, notorious serial killer Ted Bundy “often lured his victims into his car by pretending to be injured and asking for their help. Their kindness proved to be a fatal mistake” (Bio.com). Bundy used a charming, intelligent, and handsome façade to hide his sadistic nature. Women didn’t suspect his true intentions and were lured into his trap.  (Bio.com). Both of these scenarios show the exploitation of trust. The wolves didn’t seem to have dangerous intentions, and they used this to take advantage of their victims. They were deceptive creatures that possessed the deadly skills of manipulation.

But all wolves aren’t so extreme. They can simply be the man catcalling on the streets, looking at a woman purely in a sexual way. It could be the man making a woman feel guilty for saying no. It could also be someone sweet talking there way into getting what they want. However, woman are not the only ones troubled by wolves. Men can just as easily be harassed, objectified, and abused. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network), 2.78 million men have experienced rape in the US. The wolves of today can be both men and women of various ages with victims just as diversified.  We don’t see them in the background, watching and planning their move. They use their skills to manipulate their victims to achieve what they so desire. 

Over the years, "Little Red Riding Hood" has garnered various endings. While the original is bleak and leads to Little Red’s death, later versions have turned out much happier such as the Brothers Grimm adaptation. In this ending, Little Red and her grandma are saved by a passing Huntsman (eastoftheweb). No matter the version, though, this cautionary tale can teach us that we shouldn’t fear these big, bad wolves. Regardless of the time, there will always be wolves hiding in the shadows, prepared to take advantage of their victims. Instead, it’s important to be aware that these kinds of people exist and to not give away your trust so easily. In the end, it’s up to you to choose your ending.

Works Cited:

Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.
By Rachel Hartigan Shea, National Geographic PUBLISHED November 30, 2013. "What Wide              Origins You Have, Little Red Riding Hood!" National Geographic. National Geographic Society,      n.d. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.
"Little Red Riding Hood." Pitt. University of Pittsburgh, n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2015.

"Short Stories: Little Red Riding Hood by Brothers Grimm." Eastoftheweb. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Nov.        2015.
"Who Are the Victims?" RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network. RAINN, n.d. Web. 05         Nov. 2015.
Zipes, Jack. "A Second Gaze at Little Red Riding Hood's Trials and Tribulations." Project Muse              (n.d.): 78-109. Web. 05 Nov. 2015.