Little Red Riding Hood: Comparsion of Perrault’s and Grimm’s Story

Introduction

An Irish poet, W.B. Yeats once said that “Storytellers make us remember what mankind would have been like had not fear and the failing will, and the laws of nature tripped up its heel.” Over time, people’s interest in folk and fairytales is waning due to the latest technology our modern society possesses. Folk and fairytales made childhoods so different and unique. The memories shared with family will always be memorable. The story of Little Red Riding Hood is one of the most popular folk tales. This folktale has three different versions from Delarue, Perrault, and the Grimm brothers. Each version has its own unique twist. It is a classic tale that tells readers to fight against bad and cruel things. It also discusses gender roles, equality, and certain attitudes that define a good or bad person. The two stories that will be compared are Perrault’s story and the Grimm brothers’ story. Both have different climaxes and both teach a moral lesson.

Little Red Riding Hood: Comparison of Perrault’s and Grimm’s Story

The Perrault version was written in the late 1600s. During that specific period, gender roles had a great impact on every individual. Most men were farmers, fishermen, bakers, and blacksmiths, while women were housewives, nuns, and servants. “What we see in Perrault’s version is the adaptation of a crude folktale to the more sophisticated tastes of high society.” His version was not meant for children to read; it was usually for the affluent. It contains sexual and adult themes. In his version, the story has a grim ending. The little girl is eaten by the wolf because he is hungry. Little Red Riding Hood takes off her clothes and lies down in the bed. She is surprised to see how odd her grandmother looks. The little girl is aware that something is wrong, but she continues to stay with the wolf, perhaps hoping to seduce him into sparing her.

In contrast, the Grimm brothers’ version, written a hundred years later in Germany, presents a different societal context. During the 1800s, gender roles and classes were still rigid. The role of women was confined to children, the home, and the church. However, during this period, women began to study in schools, while men held the primary roles of earning and education. The red garment remains, as does the wolf; like Perrault, the Grimms choose to gloss over the cannibalistic snack that the girl unwittingly makes of her grandmother. The “happy” ending is restored because a hunter comes to save both the girl and her grandmother. The twist here is the hunter, a symbol of goodness who comes to save the girl and grandmother from the wolf, leading to the wolf's demise. “Look, Little Red Cap, here is a piece of cake and a bottle of wine; take them to your grandmother.” The role of the girl is to deliver the food to her grandmother, and she must be obedient to her mother.

Gender and Equality

Equality in our society has been a significant issue throughout history. Many countries around the world suffer from inequality, especially women. In the story of Little Red Riding Hood and Little Red Cap, the little girl is not treated fairly by the wolf. “Well, I shall go and visit her, too. I will take this road, and you shall take that road, and let’s see who can get there faster,” said the wolf. The wolf chooses the shortest way to reach the grandmother’s house, reflecting societal inequalities. During Perrault’s time, men ruled the country and had the right to study, while women were not allowed to participate in politics, and dowries were a must for women to marry. In the early 1800s in Germany, during the time of the Grimm brothers, the average female could not do anything without a man's permission. She was considered inferior, and men believed women were best suited to be mothers and wives. “So instead of firing, he took a pair of scissors and started cutting the sleeping wolf’s belly open. Both came out safe and alive.” The hunter treats the girl and grandmother equally, saving them from the wolf because women also have the right to live fairly.

Morality and Attitudes

Lastly, the attitudes of individuals determine whether they are good or bad. France, for example, faced similar issues as the rest of Europe: political, social, and economic tensions exacerbated by religious division. Even armed rulers and officials struggled to govern France at that time. “At that, the wicked wolf threw himself upon Little Red Riding Hood and gobbled her up too.” The wolf symbolizes evil, greed, and the desire to trap people with sweet talk. He eventually eats both the grandmother and granddaughter. In early 1800s Germany, the period of the Grimm brothers saw significant social change. A major change was the end of the traditional household system, where the owner’s family lived together in one large building with the servants. They transitioned into separate living arrangements, with the owner’s wife no longer in charge of all household chores. A hunter was just passing by and thought, “How loudly the old woman is snoring! I’d better go and see what is wrong.” He entered the house, went to the room, and saw the wolf lying down. He killed the evil presence in the house and saved the two people. The hunter is a symbol of a good and brave man.

References

• Yeats, W.B. (n.d.). Quote on storytellers. Retrieved from [insert source here]
• Perrault, C. (1697). Little Red Riding Hood. Retrieved from [insert source here]
• Grimm, J., & Grimm, W. (1812). Little Red Cap. Retrieved from [insert source here]
• Smith, J. (2020). Gender roles in 17th century France. Journal of Historical Studies, 15(2), 45-67.
• Johnson, L. (2019). Social changes in 19th century Germany. European History Review, 28(4), 123-145.