Having to hit the "Like" button is very peculiar. No, your pointing out that there is something deeply unhealthy about finding this story a form of amusement is exactly right. I always find your articles interesting, but I put off reading this one. Yes, your story is well told--the freezing hill, the two young children all alone. The careful predator using the children's own kindness and curiosity to commit evil. It's terrifying even though we know the little girl will survive to become an articulate and insightful woman--as Little Red Riding Hood did not. But juxtaposing the fairy tale with a real, deeply traumatic, for so long incommunicable, actual childhood experience punches sentimentality right out of any reading. You've made us look at this story stripped of cuteness. Not only to ask why she is insistently called "Little," but why she is defined by the red garment, a "riding hood." What is a "riding hood" anyway. And why is it--definitively--red?
I really appreciate what you're saying here. I had some trepidation that including my childhood trauma while trying to examine the fairy tale would overwhelm my intent. I'm so glad that you saw what I was really trying to do. It is such a pleasure to have a thoughtful reader like you.
Well written; your description of the sledding hill was detailed and brought me right there, and the comparison between your narrative and Little Red Riding Hood is thoughtfully done. Thank you for sharing this
Very interesting, Patty, especially about the use of 'Little' - we may not realise it until it's pointed out, and that's social conditioning 'Red' as helpless.
"Human behavior in all its varieties is at the core of all fairy tales. That’s what makes them so powerful. They show us who we are, but they give us hope that we can survive and even thrive despite the dangers in the world and our own inclinations."
As I mentioned in my note, Abby Wambach shares her thoughts on the same fairytale in WolfPack.
Fables and Fairytales can be warnings. Like Nursery rhymes, these are some of the first ways children learn about the world. For this reason, I'm very glad to see greater diversity in children's books.
It's a bestseller book, she's "A two-time Olympic gold medalist, she holds the world record for international goals for both female and male soccer players.' and she's the wife of Glennon Doyle: https://abbywambach.com/books/wolfpack/
Having to hit the "Like" button is very peculiar. No, your pointing out that there is something deeply unhealthy about finding this story a form of amusement is exactly right. I always find your articles interesting, but I put off reading this one. Yes, your story is well told--the freezing hill, the two young children all alone. The careful predator using the children's own kindness and curiosity to commit evil. It's terrifying even though we know the little girl will survive to become an articulate and insightful woman--as Little Red Riding Hood did not. But juxtaposing the fairy tale with a real, deeply traumatic, for so long incommunicable, actual childhood experience punches sentimentality right out of any reading. You've made us look at this story stripped of cuteness. Not only to ask why she is insistently called "Little," but why she is defined by the red garment, a "riding hood." What is a "riding hood" anyway. And why is it--definitively--red?
I really appreciate what you're saying here. I had some trepidation that including my childhood trauma while trying to examine the fairy tale would overwhelm my intent. I'm so glad that you saw what I was really trying to do. It is such a pleasure to have a thoughtful reader like you.
Rotkäppchen kommt gleich zurück.
Ich hoffe es.
Well written; your description of the sledding hill was detailed and brought me right there, and the comparison between your narrative and Little Red Riding Hood is thoughtfully done. Thank you for sharing this
Thomas, thank you for taking the time to write a comment. My story and Red's story are all too common. I wish it wasn't so.
Very interesting, Patty, especially about the use of 'Little' - we may not realise it until it's pointed out, and that's social conditioning 'Red' as helpless.
"Human behavior in all its varieties is at the core of all fairy tales. That’s what makes them so powerful. They show us who we are, but they give us hope that we can survive and even thrive despite the dangers in the world and our own inclinations."
As I mentioned in my note, Abby Wambach shares her thoughts on the same fairytale in WolfPack.
Fables and Fairytales can be warnings. Like Nursery rhymes, these are some of the first ways children learn about the world. For this reason, I'm very glad to see greater diversity in children's books.
Victoria, how can I find Abby's essay. I'm really interested in how other people see this fairy tale.
It's a bestseller book, she's "A two-time Olympic gold medalist, she holds the world record for international goals for both female and male soccer players.' and she's the wife of Glennon Doyle: https://abbywambach.com/books/wolfpack/