The story is actually an ancient fable told in the oral tradition (basically French folk lore) that was written nearly 315 years ago by a writer named Charles Perrault in Paris. The identity of the original author is unknown, although it has been re-written and re-interpreted many, many times by others all over the world. The most popular version of the piece appeared in Perrault’s collection of fairy tales penned under the pseudonym, Mother Goose. Later in the mid-twentieth century, Walt Disney created an American re-telling of the famous Mother Goose story, but reworked it by adding the character of the Huntsman who intervenes and kills the wolf, saving the girl from the grip of Death.
The reason for its success and worldwide popularity, I believe, lies in the story’s universal themes: a uniquely human expression of the dangerous interaction between good and evil. Culturally, this theme is extremely adaptable, and malleable to suit many peoples’ values.
The story’s narration is done by an omniscient third-person whose voice and tone, in my opinion, reflect a sort of cool distance: a disinterested teller of cautionary tales. For example, the matter-of-fact way the murders are introduced denotes the casual demeanor of the narrator: “The wolf pulled the bobbin, and the door opened, and then he immediately fell upon the good woman and ate her up in a moment,” (Clugston, 2010, ch 4.1).
Surely, if the story had been done in the first-person point of view there would have been more passion revealed in the description of the heinous acts perpetrated upon the two innocent victims (Little Red Riding Hood and her sickly grandmother).
The Essay on A Revelation Of Grannys Story
... aware of the nature of the modern literary short stories. Short stories focused on the events in greater fullness and emphasize ... on Grannys character corresponds to a modern literary short story. The story is so effective that we can see Granny within ... claims because Granny goes through several character changes throughout the story. In fact, Granny goes through several character changes throughout ...
A human being bearing witness to these murders might be expected to show some affectation of horror, shock, fear or at least compassion. None such emotion is present in the earlier works.
Another element of the narrative I found particularly interesting is the use of symbolism. Again, symbolism here breaks the barrier of language and translation by using metaphor. The protagonist is a young child, an innocent girl, beloved for her sweetness and loving nature [the essence of good and purity] – tricked, betrayed and befallen by an overpowering, hungry male wolf [the antagonist, the essence of evil]. I believe these themes could be well received by mere pictorial presentation, sans language, as seen in the early 1920’s silent films, or the cartoon reels of the ‘30s and ‘40s. (Paraphrasing Ashliman, D.L., 1987)
Indeed, no words are necessary to caution the public to beware talking to strangers: be wary of unsolicited help from strangers: be not too forthcoming when questioned: be on guard diligently and never stray from the appointed route.
References
Clugston, R.W. (Journey Into Literature, 2010)
D. L. Ashliman, A Guide to Folktales in the English Language. New York; Westport Connecticut; and London: Greenwood Press, 1987.
Lang, A., (Translation) The Blue Fairy Book (London, ca. 1889) Little Red Riding Hood, (Fables of Mother Goose, Paris, ca. 1697)
