Red Riding Hood Through The Years

This paper analyzes the Red Riding Hood tradition by looking at early and modern adaptations. In particular, it looks at the variations that have occurred throughout the adaptations and potential reasons for these changes. Beginning with the likely origins of the oral traditions, the paper analyzes elements from Greek mythology, Fecunda ratis (a collection of poems), and Paul Delarue’s “Story of Grandmother”, which is believed to be the closest adaptation to the oral tradition. For early adaptations, Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm’s adaptations are used to better situate the changes that have been made from the oral tradition and from each other. Both of these stories are still popular today, but they are not the only versions of the story. For modern adaptations, I look at a Spanish adaptation of Caperucita roja from Aletta Mazlin and another adaptation from Nalo Hopkinson. These two stories both continue the tradition in their own way. All of these stories are situated mostly around how gender is portrayed and the morals that can be found. The essay concludes by looking at pedagogical implications of using this tale with children and what lessons can be learned from Red Riding Hood.