Some may not now the true meaning of the fairy tale or its significance. The French knew, but we did not.

1. THE HIDDEN MEANING 1
Little Red Riding Hood: The Hidden Meaning
Monique R. Dillard
Introduction to Literature: ENG125
Professor: Katherine Ness
March 19, 2012

2. THE HIDDEN MEANING 2
Little Red Riding Hood: The Hidden Meaning
Some believe that fairy tales do not have any literary significance unless proven
otherwise. A literary short story can be told by the techniques used by the writer specifically
created in the hopes of peaking the reader’s imagination while expressing his or her own. By
using the “formalist approach” in critiquing the famousfairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood”, the
intent of the writer is exposed due to the historical significance of the first published version and
presented in an alternate fashion. Fairy tales, poems, and fictioninvolve characters that convey a
mod, a theme, and metaphoric language to draw the reader in. The intent of the writer is
revealed by using a wide range of literary concepts to convey a meaning.
Documented by Catherine Orestein (2004), the first published version of Little Red
Riding Hood was released in Paris in the year of 1697. The graphic depiction of a slaying beast
and the death of a littler girl were known to the French as a metaphor for a young girl who has
lost her virginity. “According to the plot, she has just stripped out of her clothes and a moment
later the tale will end with her death in the beast’s jaws—no salvation, no redemption.”
(Clugston, 2010) The tale has since changed from this historical message and in turn created an
imaginative narration of characters for all ages to interpret and enjoy while keeping a constant
theme.
With an effective plot, the writer sets a scene that creates a mood to provide the reader
with a clear picture while appealing to their curiosity. The tale of Little Red Riding Hood has
the universal understanding that one should be afraid of the big bad wolf. The writer wants the
reader to understand the mindset of the wicked versus the innocent. This short story made the
reality of its original from 1697 less harsh for children while keeping it still apparent for adults.

3. THE HIDDEN MEANING 3
Little Red Riding Hood today is a short story of a mother who made her beloved daughter
a red riding hood and the name suited her as well. The young child’s grandmother was ill and
her mission was to take grandma some cake. This is where the plot thickens. This young
innocent girl who is put on a pedestal has to travel through the woods to get to the town where
her grandmother lives. The author creates one character as the prettiest country girl who is well
loved but unaware of how deceiving and dangerous one encounter can be. This story has the
makings of a potentially intriguing plot. The writer creates a theme through a narrative approach
to provide a good story with intense drama and anticipation. Each character of the story
contributes to the theme and a point of view.
Never talk to strangers because anyone can be the big bad wolf. The literary work is
significant and evident as its descriptive symbolisms convey two meanings. One of these
meanings can be literal or the other meaning can stand for something. The outcome in the story
is clear and there is always room available for new insight. New conclusions are drawn but the
moral of the story remains the same over time. Reading this story may seem like an adventure
with good versus evil themes and exposure to the behavior of its characters. The formative
approach detects the mood, theme, setting, and tools that the writer encompasses allowing him or
her to convey their concept.
The techniques used by the writer peaks the reader’s imagination and express his by
creating metaphoric images on paper. By comparing one to the other, both show resemblance
showing mirroring qualities. In a perspective by Afshan Jafar, Little Red Riding Hood is
portrayed as “innocent child-like, and unaware of the dangerous academic forest. The professor,
on the other hand, is seen as the Big Bad Wolf—lecherous, conniving, and on the prowl for

4. THE HIDDEN MEANING 4
innocent little girls.” (Jafar, 2005) The formative approach allows the reader to understand a
piece of literature
The wolf is known to be evil, manipulative, and knows the woods best while the little girl
trusted his masked intentions of beating her to grandma’s house and having doubled the pleasure.
All stories of Little Red Riding Hood show similar qualities and resemble each other. Indeed,
while many still believe that fairy tales do not have any significance to literature. The techniques
used by the writer to peak the reader’s imagination reiterate the meaning and moral of the story
none the less.

5. THE HIDDEN MEANING 5
Reference
Clugston, R, W. (2010) Journey into Literature. San Diego, California: Bridgepoint Education,
Inc.
Jafar, A. (2005. Personal Perspective: Little Red Riding Hood in College. Vol, 9. Iss.2, p.87-
92. Retrieved from: http://webebscohost.com