The Fate of Little Red Riding Hood: From Rape Victim to Champion of Women's Rights

The story of Little Red Riding Hood has been told and retold for many generations, from its early beginnings in the form of unwritten stories to written fairy tales, such as those published by Perrault and the Brothers Grimm. The vast majority of these retellings have kept the main elements, all of which are strong sexual or gender-related symbols, and plot of the story together. The story acts as a symbol, passing on its lessons on the audience, whoever they may be. However, due to the nature of the key symbols and conflicts of the story, it will remain focused on a single theme: male versus female. The strong symbolic representations of the key elements in Little Red Riding Hood keep the main theme of the story focused on gender issues, so the original oral versions and subsequent retellings reflect similar changes in the gender roles of society.

The story, Little Red Riding Hood has existed and widely spread around the globe in oral form is evidence of its popularity and importance with its audience.

For inspiration, Punchline drew on the cruelty fou...

English: Little Red Riding Hood

Red Riding Hood by George Frederic Watts

The earliest written form of the story was recorded in the late 17th century by Perrault. Very few stories can claim to have been rewritten and retold as many times and in as many different interpretations as Little Red Riding Hood since Perrault first put ink to paper. With the Brothers Grimm's retelling of the story in a more child-pleasant tone, the tale became an essential part of the tradition of children's literature. However, despite the childlike tone that the story took on, it still uphold its core elements from a time when the story was not told to children alone.

The key elements of Little Red Riding Hood have strong sexual meanings and represent various aspects of gender issues. Throughout most of...