Archetypes?
Themes?
One of the main themes in the story is that people are not always what they seem, and children shouldn't talk to strangers. It tends to be the most innocent and nice "wolves" that can end up being the worst ones in the end. The fairy tale also emphasizes the caution that young girls in particular must take when dealing with strangers.
Motifs?
Little Red Riding Hoods recurring questioning at the end (“Grandma what big ears you have”) serve to build suspense and create a sense of fear in the reader. It also emphasizes her innocence and how naive she is, because she is not capable of realizing what is about to happen.
The wolf- recurring symbol of a predator; eats the grandmother and little red riding hood.
- The initiation- When Little Red Riding Hood finally realizes that the wolf is posing as her grandmother, that is the symbol for her growing up and maturing with her new found awareness.
- The Great Mother- Little Red’s mother is an example of the great mother because it is inferred in the story that she is nurturing and caring because she is sending her ill, bedridden mother goodies to feel better.
- The Trickster- The wolf could be classified as a trickster because he deceives Little Red Riding Hood into telling him where she is going so he can beat her there to eat her. He also deceives her by dressing up as her grandmother.
- The Child- Little Red Riding Hood can be considered the child in the story because she is an innocent being who sees the promise of life. This can be seen when she decides to talk to the wolf and tell him where she is going, and also when she is walking through the woods, chasing butterflies, picking flowers, etc.
Themes?
One of the main themes in the story is that people are not always what they seem, and children shouldn't talk to strangers. It tends to be the most innocent and nice "wolves" that can end up being the worst ones in the end. The fairy tale also emphasizes the caution that young girls in particular must take when dealing with strangers.
Motifs?
Little Red Riding Hoods recurring questioning at the end (“Grandma what big ears you have”) serve to build suspense and create a sense of fear in the reader. It also emphasizes her innocence and how naive she is, because she is not capable of realizing what is about to happen.
The wolf- recurring symbol of a predator; eats the grandmother and little red riding hood.