Little Red Riding Hood: The Twentieth Century Revolution

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Little Red Riding Hood: The Twentieth Century Revolution

Generations of children have grown up with the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood; as a result, it is one of the most popular children’s fairy tale. This tale as well as all other tales, originated as oral tales centuries ago. Eventually, these oral tales were written down and ultimately transformed into famous literary tales by collectors of fairy tales, such as French writer, Charles Perrault (Zipes). Wolf by Francesca Lia Block is a twentieth century version of Little Red Riding Hood. It is set in sharp contrast to Perrault’s early sixteen century, literary rendering of Little Red Riding Hood. Block’s retold account is devoid of censorship aimed at the female gender. The wolf/man is clearly portrayed as debauched man who commits an atrocious act of violence against his stepdaughter. Furthermore, Block’s twentieth century tale of Little Red Riding Hood gives rise to equality of the sexes: eradicates male superiority and holds the male responsible for his actions inflicted upon the girl. scrutinizing Perrault’s version of Red Riding Hood

Moreover, Block’s transformation of Little Red Riding Hood, Wolf, clearly identifies the wolf/man as awful person because of the heinous crime of rape he committed with the young lady. We feel the excruciating turmoil this young woman is experiencing due to being brutally violated. However, Perrault’s tale strongly suggests that this gullible, feeble, young girl, Little Red Riding Hood somehow warranted the actions imposed upon her, being eaten (raped) by the wolf. Therefore, wolf is completely innocent, above reproach and suffers absolutely no consequences. Jack Zipes, editor of The Trials & Tribulations of Little Red Riding Hood, st...

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...in secluded areas, and especially in locales of high crime. According to the Center for Disease Control, an estimated twenty percent to twenty-five percent of college women in the United States have experienced an attempted or complete rape during their college career. These statistics are alarming and are cause for great public health concerns. Perhaps, Block wants to bring retribution to all the “Little Red Riding Hoods” who suffers at the hands of “beastly” men. Her voice shouts out, “freedom from your shame” to all those little girls, adolescent females and women.

Clearly, the record needs to be set straight about Perrault’s tale of Little Red Riding Hood. Block has done so with her non-discriminatory rendering of Wolf. Many other women such as Angela Carter have transformed Little Red Riding Hood as well, thereby freeing Little Red Riding Hood from her shame.

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