The story of a little girl meeting a wolf while she brings her grandmother food is one of the most frequently adapted fairy tales of all time (Orenstein Uncloaked 6f.). In Germany, the girl is known as “Rotkäppchen”, in English-speaking countries she is “Little Red Riding Hood”, in France she is “Le petit chaperon rouge”, and in Spain she is “Caperucita Roja”. The general plot remains; however, various authors have adapted the way it is told to the social norms of their times. Two of the best known adaptations are the Brothers’ Grimm Rotkäppchen and Charles Perrault’s Le Petit Chaperon Rouge which were based upon the oral tale The Grandmother (Marshall 263). Both adaptations’ contents and connotations have changed over time. The Brothers Grimm even published multiple versions of Rotkäppchen and modified it several times. The question needs to be asked why a story, which is shared by so many cultures, is told differently and changes in its content.
The tale that is nowadays commonly known as a children’s story started of as a tale of seduction (Orenstein Dances with Wolves). The audience was fully aware of the sexual connotations contained within The Grandmother. Perrault’s tale was meant to amuse as well as to warn women about sexual advances. Rotkäppchen, however, lost most of its former sexual connotations, barely pointing to the obscenity contained within the original tale.
This paper seeks to analyze one particular adaption in content: the loss of sexual connotations in Grimm’s Rotkäppchen in comparison to Perrault’s Le Petit Chaperon Rouge, which were both based upon the oral tale The Grandmother. The demonstration shows how the general views of society affect the content and the inferred meanings comprised within a tale. The Grandmother is introduced as the primary source of Perrault’s Le Petit Chaperon Rouge, followed by a comparative analysis of Le Petit Chaperon Rouge and Grimm’s Rotkäppchen. The tales will be examined in order to find out to what extent sexuality plays a role. Ideals and views of the times will be applied to the findings in order to argue that they are accountable for the decrease in sexual content.
Table of Contents
- Reading "Rotkäppchen"
- The Grandmother
- Perrault's Le Petit Chaperon Rouge
- Grimm's Rotkäppchen
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the evolution of the Little Red Riding Hood story, focusing on the loss of sexual connotations in Grimm's version compared to Perrault's. The study examines how societal views influenced the content and inferred meanings of the tale across different eras and cultural contexts.
- The transformation of the Little Red Riding Hood narrative across different adaptations.
- The role of societal norms and values in shaping the interpretation of fairy tales.
- The evolution of sexual connotations in the story from its oral origins to its literary adaptations.
- A comparative analysis of Perrault's and Grimm's versions, highlighting their differences in content and meaning.
- The function of fairy tales as a means of social commentary and moral instruction.
Chapter Summaries
Reading "Rotkäppchen": This introductory chapter establishes the widespread popularity and diverse adaptations of the Little Red Riding Hood story across various cultures. It highlights the consistent presence of the color red in different linguistic versions, suggesting a common thematic element. The chapter introduces the two main adaptations that will be analyzed: the Brothers Grimm's Rotkäppchen and Charles Perrault's Le Petit Chaperon Rouge, both rooted in the oral tale "The Grandmother." The core question posed is why a story shared across cultures undergoes such significant changes in content and interpretation over time.
The Grandmother: This section delves into the origins of the Little Red Riding Hood tale, tracing it back to the oral tradition of "The Grandmother." This original version is characterized by its explicit sexual innuendo, intended to facilitate the sexual maturation of young boys and girls. The chapter highlights themes of cannibalism, sexuality, defecation, mistaken identity, and a sexual encounter with a "dangerous foe," themes that were openly accepted within the context of the illiterate peasant communities where the story originated. The narrative's function as a form of informal sex education in a time lacking institutionalized approaches is emphasized. The chapter uses examples like the symbolic use of needles and pins to represent the transition from childhood to womanhood, illustrating the deeply ingrained sexual connotations within the original story.
Perrault's Le Petit Chaperon Rouge: This chapter examines Perrault's adaptation of the story for the French court of Louis XIV. The context shifts to a more sophisticated and indulgent aristocracy, where fairy tales served as a form of entertainment catering to the court's interest in sex and decadence. While Perrault's version maintains some sexual innuendo, it also incorporates a moral lesson cautioning young women against the advances of manipulative men. The introduction of the red cap is analyzed as a symbolic representation of the immorality and potential danger associated with the protagonist. The chapter contrasts the explicit nature of "The Grandmother" with the more subtle yet still present sexual implications in Perrault's adaptation, highlighting the author's attempt to both entertain and provide a social commentary.
Grimm's Rotkäppchen: This chapter will analyze Grimm's version and how it further diminishes the sexual undertones present in both "The Grandmother" and Perrault's tale. This section will likely contrast Grimm's adaptation with the previous versions, exploring the reasons behind the significant reduction, if not complete removal, of explicit sexual content and its implications for the story's overall message and interpretation within the changing societal context of 19th-century Germany. The chapter will likely discuss how the Grimm's adaptation reflects the changing societal values and norms regarding sexuality and children's literature.
Keywords
Little Red Riding Hood, fairy tale, sexual connotations, societal norms, comparative analysis, oral tradition, Perrault, Grimm, adaptation, cultural context, social commentary, moral instruction, sex education, childhood, adolescence, symbolism.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Little Red Riding Hood Adaptations
What is the focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes the evolution of the Little Red Riding Hood story, focusing on the loss of sexual connotations in Grimm's version compared to Perrault's. It examines how societal views influenced the content and inferred meanings of the tale across different eras and cultural contexts.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The key themes include the transformation of the Little Red Riding Hood narrative across different adaptations, the role of societal norms and values in shaping the interpretation of fairy tales, the evolution of sexual connotations in the story, a comparative analysis of Perrault's and Grimm's versions, and the function of fairy tales as a means of social commentary and moral instruction.
Which versions of the Little Red Riding Hood story are compared?
The analysis primarily compares two versions: Charles Perrault's "Le Petit Chaperon Rouge" and the Brothers Grimm's "Rotkäppchen," tracing their origins back to the oral tradition of "The Grandmother."
What is the significance of "The Grandmother" in this analysis?
The section on "The Grandmother" delves into the oral origins of the tale, highlighting its explicit sexual innuendo and themes of cannibalism, sexuality, and mistaken identity. It emphasizes the story's function as informal sex education within illiterate peasant communities.
How does Perrault's version differ from the oral tradition?
Perrault's adaptation, written for the French court, retains some sexual innuendo but also incorporates a moral lesson cautioning young women against manipulative men. The red cap is analyzed as a symbol of immorality and potential danger.
How does Grimm's version differ from Perrault's and the oral tradition?
Grimm's version significantly diminishes the sexual undertones present in the earlier versions. The analysis explores the reasons for this reduction in explicit sexual content and its implications for the story's overall message within the changing societal context of 19th-century Germany.
What is the overall conclusion of the analysis?
The analysis concludes by demonstrating how societal values and norms regarding sexuality and children's literature have shaped the evolution and interpretation of the Little Red Riding Hood story across different adaptations and cultural contexts. It shows how a story's meaning shifts drastically based on the intended audience and the societal values of the time.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Little Red Riding Hood, fairy tale, sexual connotations, societal norms, comparative analysis, oral tradition, Perrault, Grimm, adaptation, cultural context, social commentary, moral instruction, sex education, childhood, adolescence, symbolism.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries provided?
The chapter summaries provide a concise overview of the main points and arguments presented in each section of the analysis, making it easier for the reader to understand the structure and content of the paper.
Where can I find the full text of the analysis?
The full text of the analysis is not provided here. This FAQ only summarizes the key information presented in the provided HTML preview.
- Quote paper
- Juliane Schicker (Author), 2008, Reading “Rotkäppchen“ , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/121097
