Children's and Young Adult Literature Commons^™

Different Shades Of Red: From Prostitution To Purity, The Evolution Of Little Red Riding Hood, Jill Lester

Literary and Intercultural Studies | Senior Theses

The Little Red Riding Hood tale is one of the most popular, beloved, and recounted fairytales ever. It is rare to find someone unfamiliar with the little girl in the woods, meeting the “Big Bad Wolf,” and their subsequent encounter. This comparative essay will analyze the sexuality or innocence in the versions of Little Red Riding Hood through the antagonist, the wolf, sensuality, and symbolism. The three oldest versions of Little Red Riding Hood, the oral tale, “The Story of Grandmother,” Charles Perrault’s “Little Red Riding Hood,” and Jacob and Wilhelm Grimms' “Little Red Cap” will be analyzed. Each story …