Little Red Riding Hood Character Study
R. Leamon
3/4/08
“Little Red Riding Hood” by Mother Goose is a famous story that many people have
read or heard over time. It tells the story of a young girl whose adventures in a dark wood
teach her some valuable lessons. The main character, Little Red, is an interesting one.
Although she is a good model for kindness, she risks her life as she learns that it’s
dangerous to be too naive and trusting.
From the very first time we meet her, Little Red is very helpful and kind. When her
father mentions that someone has to bring Red’s grandmother her groceries, Little Red is
quick to step up, saying, “I’ll take Grandma’s groceries to her, Dad!” (p. 3). Not many
children would be so ready to help out, but Little Red volunteers without a moment’s
hesitation.
Unfortunately, Little Red is also innocent and a little too trusting. Even though she
is alone in a dark forest when a shaggy stranger with big teeth approaches her, she seems
completely clueless and tells him all her business: The Wolf says, “Where are you going,
little girl?” and she pipes right up, “I’m going all by myself through the dark forest to visit
my grandmother, a frail old woman who is also all alone” (15). These facts are not
something she should tell any stranger, let alone a mysterious hairy one with big teeth! As a
result of her innocence, her grandmother actually gets swallowed and has to be rescued. It
is nice to trust people, but Little Red’s total lack of street smarts goes a little too far.
Luckily, Little Red survives and learns from her experience. At the end of the story,
after her rescue, she tells her grandmother, “Gosh, Mr. Scary Wolf was going to kill us
both! I guess I will take some self defense courses and also stop telling strangers all my
business!” (21) Clearly, Little Red has been affected by her adventures and is a smarter,
more careful person now.
By reading “Little Red Riding Hood,” people can see that fairy tales do relate to
every day life. Little Red’s story clearly shows that it’s important to be kind and helpful,
but life can be dangerous and it’s also important to have common sense. The world would
be a better place if more people learned that lesson!
MODEL PAPER: “Little Red Riding Hood” and The Theme of Balance
Rebecca Leamon
March 21, 2007
Most people in the US and Europe know the story of Little Red Riding Hood
in some form or another. Little kids like the excitement of the Big Bad Wolf, and
grownups like to tell the story to remind kids to be obedient and careful. However,
if read carefully, there are messages that go beyond the basic storyline and point
out truths about life as a whole. The story of “Little Red Riding Hood” by Mother
Goose deals with the themes of common sense and goodness, and the need to
balance the two in order to survive.
Although it contains a lot of excitement and mystery, “Little Red Riding
Hood” sends clear messages about the importance of kindness. Little Red, the main
character, is a good role model because she goes out of her way to help people.
When her grandmother needs groceries delivered to her, Little Red steps right up,
saying, “ I’ll take Grandma’s groceries to her, Dad!” (p. 3). She gets a lot of praise
for that behavior. In addition, everyone in the story thanks each other, and Little
Red’s family clearly treats each other well. Mother Goose makes it very clear that
being kind is a good way to live one’s life.
At the same time, the story shows the bad stuff that can happen because
the world is a dangerous place. Little Red’s family may be decent, but Mother
Goose clearly describes a world where bad things and evil forces are alive and,
unfortunately, active: “The wolf loved the taste of human flesh almost as much as
he loved fresh baked goodies, so he came up with a devious plan to trap Little Red
and her granny.” (p. 17). The wolf lies, cheats, and plans to commit murder, though
he’s stopped from actually doing it. In addition, Little Red’s family cautions her to
be careful and not talk to strangers on her way through the woods. The world the
Riding Hoods live in contains kindness but it also contains danger.
All things considered, however, the story suggests to its readers that a
balance between kindness and common sense is the best way to survive in this
world. Little Red’s brush with danger causes relief but also some mild scolding from
the adults around her. One of the policemen even tells her, “Boy, Little Red, if you
want to survive to see age 10 you should wise up, young lady!” (p. 19). The police
arrest the Wolf, yes, but there is a strong sense that if Little Red had had more
sense, she’d never have gotten into so much danger. Even Granny, saved from the
Wolf’s clutches, chimes in: “Granny looked fondly at Little Red and said, “Well,
honey, I hope you’ve learned your lesson: trust, but verify. It’s a wonderful but
dangerous world out there!” (p. 21). Granny’s final words summarize Mother Goose’s
world view.
In these days of Wii and online entertainment, it seems strange that our
culture still reads, retells, remembers, and loves folk tales. However, close
examination of those stories can reveal unexpected and important depths. “Little
Red Riding Hood”, exciting story of an adventure in a dark wood, actually teaches a
balanced and realistic lesson about the world that existed in Mother Goose’s time
and still exists today: one where there is much kindness and love, but one where
danger and evil also lurk, requiring common sense and balance in order to survive.