Red's Role Reversal

Typical gender roles are present in many traditional versions of Little Red Riding Hood. Great consistency is noted where the frail and defenseless women (Red Riding Hood and her grandmother) are devoured by a powerful wolf. If they are rescued, it is likely by a brave and good-natured man. Maria Tartar, in Introduction: Little Red Riding Hood, reiterates Susan Brownmiller's point that the folktale "recounts a cultural story that holds the gender bottom line by perpetuating the notion that women are at once victims of male violence even as they must position themselves as beneficiaries of male protection" (8). This theme is made present by Charles Perrault (1697), the Brothers Grimm (1812), and The Story of the Grandmother (1885), which is uncredited. Although Perrault does not allow for Red's rescue, it is uniform to the tone that without a man women are helpless. The same is true for the 1885 version. Although Red escapes independently she cannot save her grandmother.

Interestingly, more current versions of the folktale depict Red with a masculine aura. Roald Dahl does just this in Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. During the girl's familiar assesment of the wolf, Red slyly comments, "what a lovely great big furry coat you have on" (22). This foreshadowing shows Red's confidence as well her ego. She knows she will go on to skin the wolf, and even asks the author to "please note my lovely furry WOLFSKIN COAT" (Dahl 22). The heroine exhibits male behaviors. She planned a rescue and remained cool and confident. In addition, Red's brave attack seemed to resemble a coming of age experience. Instead of Little Red Riding Hood, the author notes they "came across Miss Riding Hood. But what a change! No cloak of red, No silly hood upon her head" (Dahl 22). Miss Riding Hood proceeds to proudly show off her fur coat, a symbol of her victorious battle into adulthood.