little red riding hood by charles perrault summary

Little Red’s hood actually represents some level of maturity. But Perrault’s choice of details in this tale will make you think twice about this. Most modern versions of Little Red Riding Hood depict her as an extremely small girl, younger than ten and perhaps even as little as six. (Public domain illustration by Arthur Rackham) That Red Hood Is Super Symbolic Personally, if I pulled back a curtain to find THAT, I’d run away screaming. And as such, several of his stories were intended just for them. It’s widely believed that many of Perrault’s tales were written to entertain and educate the ladies of the court.

In fact Perrault’s primary audience was the French court and King Louis XIV. His classic French version is where Little Red Riding Hood got her name, but Perrault wasn’t writing his fairy tales for children. The first written version of Little Red Riding Hood was published in 1697 by the famous Charles Perrault. It seems to make sense right? Young people with loose lips cause all kinds of problems, like dangerous strangers killing their grandparents, right? Well maybe, but that wasn’t the original moral. Oh I know that’s what most modern versions claim. Spoilers: This Story is NOT about Stranger Danger But if you’re as fascinated as I am in everything that made this original tale so grim, read on. If you want to preserve your childhood innocence of Little Red Riding Hood, please stop reading now.

Weeeeeelllll that isn’t exactly the moral here. Even better, it teaches wholesome lessons about not trusting smooth-talking strangers with bushy tails, right? Was there ever such a lovely tale? One about a pretty red cape, a pretty little girl, and a cunning, cross-dressing wolf? Toss in a handsome woodsman, a basket of sweets, some violence, and a daring rescue and this story is easily an Academy Award winner. Classic example: the famously adorable Little Red Riding Hood. Turning a mirror on these cute childhood stories to discover horror and mayhem lurking in the shadows is oddly satisfying if I’m perfectly honest. You know, I find great delight delving into the origins of fairy tales.

Little red riding hood by charles perrault summary