In this essay, the author will first look at the background in which The Werewolf is set (the story Little Red Riding Hood), and will analyze the message of the story by looking at how The Werewolf is different from it.
According to Barry (2017), the structuralists use scientific methods to analyze a literary work. They look into the conventions of the genre, the history or different forms of art (including other literature) that the literary work refers to. They think that there will be an absolute answer in what the literature wants to tell the audience, if we study close and careful enough on the context.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The original story
3. Differences from the original story – Added Festivals
4. Differences from the original story – Opposite ending
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This essay aims to analyze Angela Carter's short story "The Werewolf" through the lenses of structuralism and feminism, examining how the author subverts the traditional "Little Red Riding Hood" narrative to challenge misogynistic stereotypes and traditional gender roles.
- Structuralist analysis of literary conventions and historical context
- Feminist reinterpretation of classic folklore
- The role of superstition and traditional festivals as narrative devices
- Transformation of female agency and masculine traits in literature
Excerpt from the Book
Differences from the original story – Opposite ending
The ending of this story does not result in the girl’s death, contrasting with the original version of the story. The girl at the end chopped the wolf’s paw and killed her possessed grandma, and the result of that was “she prospered” (Carter, 2006, p.148-149). Angela Carter, as a feminist writer, probably tried to rewrite the original misogynic version of story to express messages that are commonly expressed during the second-wave feminism, as the story was published in 1979 (Wikipedia, 2019a). The second wave of feminism, unlike the first wave, focuses instead on the ideological stereotypes behind the oppression of females, rather than fighting for rights on the surface such as voting rights (Burkett & Brunell, 2019). Marina Warner (as cited in Wikipedia, 2019a) suggests that the collection of stories, The Bloody Chamber, which includes this story was about “desire and its destruction, the self-immolation of women, how women collude and connive with their condition of enslavement”. Not only men deserve a strong image as a warrior, but so does women and girls. It sends a message that portrayals of weak women and girls, such as that of the original version of the story, in which the girl was so naïve to believe in the wolf’s apparent lies and was easily eaten, should be condemned, as these kind of literature would only enhance the inequality between men and women.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a brief overview of structuralist literary analysis and sets the scope for comparing the background and message of "The Werewolf" with the traditional "Little Red Riding Hood".
The original story: Summarizes the classic Perrault version of "Little Red Riding Hood" to establish the baseline narrative that Carter later subverts.
Differences from the original story – Added Festivals: Analyzes the inclusion of St John’s Eve and Walpurgisnacht to illustrate how the villagers' superstition contributes to the narrative's themes.
Differences from the original story – Opposite ending: Examines how the rewritten ending serves as a feminist critique of traditional, misogynistic portrayals of weak, naive female protagonists.
Conclusion: Synthesizes how the alterations in the story, including the festivals and the empowered ending, convey Carter’s call for women to embrace agency and strength.
Keywords
Angela Carter, The Werewolf, Structuralism, Feminism, Little Red Riding Hood, Folklore, Misogyny, Superstition, St John’s Eve, Walpurgisnacht, Gender Roles, Literary Analysis, Second-wave Feminism, Empowerment, Narrative Transformation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
This work focuses on a comparative analysis of Angela Carter’s "The Werewolf" and the traditional tale of "Little Red Riding Hood" using structuralist and feminist perspectives.
What are the central thematic fields discussed?
The key themes include the subversion of traditional fairy tales, the impact of superstitions on societal behavior, and the empowerment of female characters through the rejection of traditional gender stereotypes.
What is the core research goal?
The goal is to demonstrate how Carter reconstructs a classic narrative to express second-wave feminist ideals and critique historical misogynistic portrayals of women.
Which scientific method is applied?
The author employs a structuralist method, focusing on the conventions of the literary genre and the historical/cultural context to uncover the underlying messages within the text.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover the background of the original story, the impact of added cultural festivals like Walpurgisnacht, and an analysis of the rewritten ending that features a strong, autonomous protagonist.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Core keywords include structuralism, feminism, gender roles, folklore, and empowerment.
How does the role of the villagers function in Carter’s version?
The villagers serve as a commentary on the dangers of unquestioned superstition and traditional beliefs, which the author suggests can unintentionally help criminals to prosper.
What does the "prospering" of the protagonist signify at the end of the story?
It signifies her transformation into a warrior figure who rejects naivety and embraces masculine traits, ultimately triumphing over evil through her own bravery.
- Quote paper
- Kwan Lung Chan (Author), 2019, Structuralism and Feminism Applied. Angela Carter’s "The Werewolf", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/934499
