Little Red Riding Hood Part 1

When we read fairy tales, we often read them to children under the impression that they are children's stories. We fail to realize is that these tales where not originally meant for children and have changed in many ways from their original oral formats. Each rendition adding to or taking away from the previous based on the current socially acceptable agenda.
We must also take into consideration that there was a time when childhood did not exist and all people were subjected to the same stories.
As we learn from Zohar Shavit, in the article The Concept of Childhood and Children's Fairytales: Test Case -"Little Red Riding Hood"; "Before children's literature could be written, "childhood" itself had to come into existence and receive recognition and legitimation as a distinct time period in the life of the individual". So if children didn't exist, then these tales were meant for adults.

The concept of childhood is still fairly new in relation to humanity, only coming into existence in the seventeenth century. Before this time, children were treated as miniature adults and expected to behave as such; becoming an active participant within the society at an early age, normally as soon as they were physically able. So what changed? For starters, the images of Jesus as an infant invited a new view of children as innocent beings closely related to Christ. Clothing began to be assigned between children and adults instead of children just wearing miniature versions of adult clothing. Toys and games were made for children, smaller version of what adults used in everyday life. An educational system was also established along with the first versions of children's literature.

Shavit continues by telling us "the child was perceived as a delicate creature who must be protected, educated ans molded in accordance with the current educational beliefs and goals". Changes were happening within society that now called for new ways of doing things, that included telling tales in a way that did not interfere with the delicate patterns that now surrounded children. Stories needed to be modified with all "inappropriate" materials turned into something morally approved by society.


This takes us to Little Red Riding Hood a tale that has many versions dating back to the Seventeenth century (Charles Perrault) and moving forward to most recent versions found in movies and television. A tale that has gone from the provocative adult state to a moral tale and every where in between. We have a story of a girl sent off to see her grandmother and bring her breads/cakes and milk/wine/butter depending one the tale. Each story gives the girl options to stay on the path or stray and each tales shows us a conflict between the protagonists (LLRH) and antagonist (the Wolf).

This is probably one of my favorite of all fairy tales, as it shows the reality of children that are not always obedient and not afraid to ask questions, while also warning young women of the dangers lurking in shadows. From this point of view LLRH may not be the most ideal story to tell a young child but a child on the verge of adulthood would be different.