Eng 125 Introduction to Literature: Week1
ENG 125 Introduction to Literature
Instructor: Steven Ryan
February 27, 2012 Elements of the Hood
Elements of Hood
Literature allows us, as readers, to relate to stories in different ways while portraying a universal theme. As far as children’s stories go, the literal text will capture a child’s imaginations while an adult may push past that point and unravel a more critical message. By cunningly adapting hidden motives into the story, it allows the reader to open the door to more possibilities. When applied to Andrew Lang’s translation of Little Red Riding Hood, we are shown the sexual insinuations, and just how dangerous it is for children to be left alone.
In the beginning of Little Red Riding Hood, the little country girl is merrily along her way through the forest. “…She met with a wolf, who had a very great mind to eat her up…” (Clugston, 2010, p. 73). This is where a major problem rises; the little country girl’s mother and grandmother never taught her to make herself aware of strangers. “The poor child, who did not know that it was dangerous to stay and talk to a wolf…” (Clugston, 2010, p. 73). We are already made aware that the girl is young and impressionable by her talking to this stranger. She is unaware of the consequences that could arise from her informing the wolf of her day.
The mother and grandmother play a minor role, but help to understand the basis of Red’s characteristics. The perception of a family who lives in a small village and is separated from their grandmother by a forest gives of a sense of safety and security. For a mother to let a young girl who is very beautiful go off alone implies that the villagers are naive to any present dangers around. The wolf hadn’t eaten for three days, and was smart enough to not eat Red on their initial meeting due to the possibility of being caught.
The wolf is in fact cunning to make a little girl his target, and have her tell him where grandmother’s house is. Would it seem a bit off if a
Instructor: Steven Ryan
February 27, 2012 Elements of the Hood
Elements of Hood
Literature allows us, as readers, to relate to stories in different ways while portraying a universal theme. As far as children’s stories go, the literal text will capture a child’s imaginations while an adult may push past that point and unravel a more critical message. By cunningly adapting hidden motives into the story, it allows the reader to open the door to more possibilities. When applied to Andrew Lang’s translation of Little Red Riding Hood, we are shown the sexual insinuations, and just how dangerous it is for children to be left alone.
In the beginning of Little Red Riding Hood, the little country girl is merrily along her way through the forest. “…She met with a wolf, who had a very great mind to eat her up…” (Clugston, 2010, p. 73). This is where a major problem rises; the little country girl’s mother and grandmother never taught her to make herself aware of strangers. “The poor child, who did not know that it was dangerous to stay and talk to a wolf…” (Clugston, 2010, p. 73). We are already made aware that the girl is young and impressionable by her talking to this stranger. She is unaware of the consequences that could arise from her informing the wolf of her day.
The mother and grandmother play a minor role, but help to understand the basis of Red’s characteristics. The perception of a family who lives in a small village and is separated from their grandmother by a forest gives of a sense of safety and security. For a mother to let a young girl who is very beautiful go off alone implies that the villagers are naive to any present dangers around. The wolf hadn’t eaten for three days, and was smart enough to not eat Red on their initial meeting due to the possibility of being caught.
The wolf is in fact cunning to make a little girl his target, and have her tell him where grandmother’s house is. Would it seem a bit off if a
References: Clugston, R. W. (2010). Journey into literature. San Diego, California: Bridgepoint Running Header; ELEMENTS OF THE HOOD