Remember for these blog entries to write a THOROUGH response to the question, not just a short answer!
** Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
** What are the differences between the Perrault version of the story and the Grimm Brothers's (think beyond the superficial!)
** Explain some of the symbolism of "Little Red Riding Hood" (e.g. the colour red, the hood, the wolf, etc.)
** Describe the Apollonian and Dionysian impulses in "Little Red Riding Hood."
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"Explain the symbolism of the color red, the hood, and the wolf in "Little Red Riding Hood"
First I have to note the fact that the color red symbolizes lots of different things in different cultural contexts. The way I would like to interpret red in the context of "Little Red Riding Hood" is by looking at the Russian (slavic) derivatives of the word. In Russian, the word for red is "Krasnui", and the word for beauty is derived from "red" and has the same root (Krasavitza). If we use this interpretation for red, then we can infer that in the context of the tale it symbolizes the beauty and purity of Little Red Riding Hood.
Red is also a color associated with anger and passion, which inevitably makes the girl an even more desirable target for the wolf.
** Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
I think that we continue to read fairytales because they serve to porvide moralistic teachings in an anecdotal fashion, so our parents often use them as an entertaining way to teach us. These stories stay with us from childhood, and they become something symbolic to us.Most fairy tales teach puritanical values, so they are used not only to push these values by those in favor of them, but those against teaching these values in turn use them satrically for the opposite purpose. They are also so ingrained in our culture that everyone recgonizes them, and they then end up reading them to their children, starting the cycle over again.
Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
I believe that we continue to read fairy tales because they are a good way to pass on morals and teach lessons. They are also a good form of entertainment and they help educate younger children into making the right decisions. Many fairy tales tend to be of a dark nature, so they are exciting because you never know what is going to happen next. They are still popular today because they are easy to understand and everybody knows them. Everyone remembers the lessons that they teach just like everyone knows that you should never talk to wolves in the forest. They are unforgettable.
Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
I think we continue to read Fairy Tales because they are easy stories to tell that teaches you a lesson. Some lessons I see from Little Red Riding Hood is dont talk to strangers, stick to your original plan, and that you can't trust just anyone because everyone has an agenda. The reason for their continued popularity is that it is tradition for children to read fairy tales. Also no matter how unrealistic the story is, like a talking wolf. We all know a "talking wolf" who tried to lead us off our path for their selfish reasons.
** Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
We continue to read fairy tales for entertainment, tradition, and educational purposes. Fairy tales are a healthy entertainment for children that teach a lesson. Good way that teaches children good from bad, what to do and what not to do. For example; Little Red Riding Hood sends a message not to talk to strangers and shows the result of what can happen if you do. The popularity of fairy tales, especially Little Red Riding Hood, is non ending because they are past on from generation to generation and sticks to us. I believe the only way fairy tales can die off is for people to stop having babies because then there will be no one to pass on to.
Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
The reason we still continue to read fairy tales is to make us learn about what is wrong and right. It teaches us a moral at the end of each story. Each fairy tale teaches us ways in which we can think beyond a given point. For example, who would let their YOUNG daughter alone through the woods with no one as in little red riding hood.
In other words don't talk to strangers and do not walk alone in the forest by yourself. We still tend to read them because they are simple to read. Eventhough they are short they still give a deeper meaning to the story.
** What are the differences between the Perrault version of the story and the Grimm Brothers's (think beyond the superficial!)
Perrault's version of "Little Red Riding Hood" has more of a pesstimistic view where there is no hope or second chance for Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother once the wolve eats them both. When the wolve eats Little Red Riding Hood and the grandmother,they are gone forever and are not able to learn from their mistakes. The Grimm Brothers's version of Little Red Riding Hood has a more optimistic view. After the wolve eats both the grandmother and Little Red Riding Hood, the huntsman cuts them out of the wolve's stomach and they end up killing the wolve. Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother were given a second chance after they made a mistake unlike in Perrault's version. I personally believe the Grimm Brothers's version is more popular than Perrault's version because humans like to have hope and that one can get another chance even if they make a mistake. I guess thats why so many people like to believe there is life after death.
"Describe the Apollonian and Dionysian impulses in "Little Red Riding Hood"
Since most fairy tales are centered around a conflict between pure good and pure evil, the Apollonian and Dionysian elements of the story are inevitable and in most cases, obvious.
In "Little Red Riding Hood" we have two main characters: the girl and the wolf. The girl, pure, innocent, and attractive, is determined to stay on the right path and not to stray into the unknown of the forest, which is clearly an Apollonian instinct. The wolf, however, offers her a more exciting way to make the trip, and assures her that the forest holds no danger. The wolf's Dionysian ways are a part of his nature, he achieves his goals through deceit, and his undying passion to satisfy his hunger for flesh is the main driving force behind his actions. The ritual worship of Dionysus occurred in the woods, the same woods that are home to the wolf. In a way, by indulging in his constant hunger for flesh, the wolf is a worshiper of Dionysus. He tears apart his prey and spills the blood on the earth, as an offering to the God of indulgence and desire, Dionysus.
** Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
Fairy tales are used to instill morals in children, even though some of the lessons are a bit outdated. Despite the archaic themes, people continue to read the stories because they provide a certain comfort for them. There is an emotional attachment that is formed to these familiar tales, especially when the stories are heard repeatedly. A child grows up listening to the stories and then passes them on to his or her kid so they are continued for generations. Fairy Tales pass along cultural heritage through different versions too, so people can relate more to the version they heard as a child. When people read fairy tales they are pleasantly reminded of their childhood, parents, and fantasy. Through the phenomenon of willing suspension of disbelief, rational adults allow themselves to be carried away with fairy tales and make believe. They can escape the busy, modern world and give in to the comforts and warmth of youth, familiarity, and imagination. It's true that fairy tales are useful for teaching morals, but they will continue to be widely read because of the way they make people feel.
Why do we continue to read fair tails? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
I believe that we read fair tails for two reasons. The first being that they stand to tell us lessons as children of morality, right and wrong, common sence, and trust. In the example of Little Red Riding Hood it teaches children not to be trusting of everyone they meet and to be causious of situations they are not familar with. The second reason we continue to read fair tails is the tradtion part of it. Our parents read them to us, and their parents to them, and we feel a sort of comfort in them.
** Explain some of the symbolism of "Little Red Riding Hood" (e.g. the colour red, the hood, the wolf, etc.)
The color red could symbolize many things, such as passion and sexual excitement. The hood represents her coming of age because it tells us that she is old enough to ride a horse so she must be becoming a woman. To go along with the hood is, in the Grimm brother's version, the corked bottle of wine. This represents her virginity and her body being unbroken. The wolf is a symbol of deception and a predator. The forest is a dangerous, scary, unknown place to a young girl.
**Explain some of the symbolism of "Little Red Riding Hood"**
In "Little Red Riding Hood" there are objects that symbolize the transition of our heroine from being a girl to becoming a woman. One such object is the red riding hood. The color red, represents the blood that comes with menustration. It also represents the blood that comes during a young woman's first sexual encounter. It is important to understand and recognize the relationship between blood and femininity. The hood, itself, symbolizes the hymen. It keeps Little Red Riding Hood hidden and also gives her a sense of protection. When the hymen is broken or the "hood" is removed, there is blood. Once again both of these components showcase to the world that Little Red Riding Hood is no longer little.
The food also symbolizes childhood and adulthood. She carries cakes, which is considered a juvenile food and wine, which holds adult connotations. So she carries her childhood along with her adulthood. Having both items, gives the reader a sense that even though she is a woman physically, she is still a child. It adds to the idea the puberty is all about transaction.
“Little Red Ridding Hood” is full of symbolism. The ridding coat (as discussed in class) is a clue as to how old the girl is. She is probably a girl of early teens and is coming into her womanhood. The coat is red. The color red is the color of passion, lust, power, anger, and blood. Red is also the color that most easily fades into the darkness and tricks the eye. The color of blood could symbolize spilled blood or another sign of her coming of age. Wine is also red. In the Grimm’s version she is given cake and wine to carry. She is warned not to break the bottle (which could be argued as symbolism to keeping her virginity). The woods symbolize danger. The story could be set in a metropolis and the woods could be the “bad side of town.” The woods allow our imagination to see darkness, something foreboding, and forbidden. The wolf is also danger but cold be any number of things (like Carter’s comparison to men). He is the unknown force that is there to trick and betray all trusting youth. In the majority of our “Little Red Ridding Hood” stories the girl is told instructions to unlock and open the door. This could be that she is inviting her own fate. She has been tricked because of her innocence and is walking into her own, self-indulged peril.
"Describe the Apollonian and Dionysian impulses in "Little Red Riding Hood"
Each vesion of the story has the same basic impulses when it comes to Apollonian and Dionysian characteristics. Little Red Riding Hood's motherdemontrated Apollonian characteristics with her structured instructions and how she safely lays out an organized plan for her daughter. Little Red Riding Hood begins her journey by demonstrating Apollonian characteristics, but she soon finds herself straying from her mother's directions. It is from here on out that her Dionysian ways begin to take control of her actions. Talking to the big bad wolf and not following her mother's instructions are just the first steps toward disorder.
I believe we continue to read fairytales because each time we read them they are not the same they seem to change in a small sense which shakes the entire story up. A new version seems to elevate each time the tale is told because the storyteller adds his or her own twists to it. These stories are popular because not only do they have a good plot but it also holds an important moral value to teach one a lesson. These are nice ways i think to tell little ones of an important lesson while gettig there attention with an attention grabbing story
"Describe the Apollonian and Dionysian impulses in "Little Red Riding Hood"
There are many examples of both Apollonian and Dionysian impulses in the story. One of the biggest that comes to my mind is how Hood's planned, and organized trip is so very Apollonian. Although, on her way, many Dionysian impules take charge in her. For example, she decides to wander off of the path to pick flowers in one story, and in another she decides to hop into bed with a complete stranger. Other things which are symbolic in the story are the Dionysian bottles of wine and liquor, as well as the Apollonian characteristics in baked goods (silly as it sounds). Another thing to be dually noted is how in each story, Little Red Riding Hood posesses the childish, carefree attitude that Dionysus also posessed.
Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
I believe we continue to read fairy tales because of the morals it teaches children as well as the adventure it puts the reader through. Every fairy tale is unique in its own way. They continue to be popular because it teaches real life lessons. Fairy tales have so many twists and versions now that you can learn something different every time. I never knew there were other versions of Little Red Riding Hood. After reading the ones in class, I saw Little Red Riding Hood in a completely different way. Overall, fairy tales are enjoyable for people of all ages
** Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
Note that I haven't looked down to see what everyone else had, in fear of finding that everyone has already said what I wanted in regards to this same question.
I think that the beauty in Fairy Tales is there everlasting hint at truth and all the ways one could apply these stories to their little worlds. There's a moral to a story, yeah; there's the constant struggle between good and evil, right and wrong - sure. But in the end of it all, there's this story that you've likely heard in some fashion or another throughout your entire life - and in times of need, just like when you hear the perfect words to a song, wrapped around in the precise beauty of a particular melody - sometimes you just feel something more than the 'point' of the story. Sometimes what you feel at any point through it is all you need to get through another traumatic day or push through one more minute of a chaotic life. Maybe it's because you Have been hearing this story throughout your days here, and how it flows almost brings you back to a time when things were easier.. When life wasn't so much about the deadline or the destination (to Granny's house), but the travels, the roses, and that ever-prevalent wolf to sway you into some darkness you just don't understand, yet..
Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
Fairy tales are continued because they send messages(morals), are for entertainment, and educate children on the importance of certain aspects in life. For instance, in Little Red Riding Hoof, the way that I was told growing, if you talk to strangers bad things will happen. Possibly death. Fairy tales can aslo be looked at as a way to scare children out of being impulsive. The result for their continued popularity is that because they have been told from generation to generation. Even if the child does not hear it directly from his or hers parents, it will be heard eventually because it is an ongoing tradition.
I could have sworn I already posted on this… Serves me right for using a wireless connection. Well, it’s a good thing I typed it up in Word first! :D
** Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
We continue to read Fairy Tales because these stories and the life lessons they teach are universal and timeless. For example, Little Red Riding Hood is a story of a young girl walking to her grandmother’s house, and details the dangers that unaccompanied young children (especially girls) face. Even though the story takes place in a village and the grandmother lives in the middle of a forest, modern parents can relate the story to their children walking alone to a friend’s place or even to school. The lesson learned about trusting strangers is especially important because young children can sometimes be too trusting of people due to their innocence. Nowadays, this lesson even applies to older children because of the increasing accessibility of the internet and the dangers of sharing information in an online chat room or on a website. The wolf is a representation of an older, more experienced person with the worst of intentions, which may not be obvious to a young mind.
We also read Fairy Tales because of the ease in which the stories are able to teach these lessons to children. Even though it takes a bit of digging to find the ties between Little Red Riding Hood and sexual maturity, the story makes it much easier to convey the messages that parents want their children to hear. How awkward would it be for you to tell your soon-to-be-developing daughter that the boys around her (who once thought she carried the deadliest of diseases, the fabled “cooties”) were now starting to realize that their greatest treasure lay within her pants? (Now that I think about it, what is the true meaning behind the word cooties? Somehow, this word reminds me of a certain name for the vagina….) Straightforward conversations about life lessons, especially those about sex, are not only terrifying to the child; the parents are scared out of their minds too! At least, I would be terrified as a parent, but the simple solution to combat that fear is to lock your daughter in an extremely tall tower with only a window (and take away all of her shampoos and conditioners).
Finally, we read Fairy Tales because in a world that is almost never fair, it’s nice to have stories to tell our children that end happily ever after. Even if for only a couple of years, we need to preserve their innocence in fantasy before they are bitch-slapped into reality. And even if we lace our stories with underlying gruesome themes, who cares if the lesson is learned and the characters are redeemed when all is said and done? An obvious example is Shrek, which is animated and full of wholesome Disney goodness, and yet allows its hero to say (while observing Lord Farquaad’s massive castle) “Do you think he’s maybe compensating for something?” Most kids don’t even question the fact that Lord Farquaad is extremely short but still presents himself like a big and powerful man, and this is because they are too busy being mesmerized by the story and clever jokes (which are not as obvious as they pretend to be). In this way, Fairy Tales are appealing because they can also entertain older people despite our experience and knowledge of the world’s dangers.
** Explain some of the symbolism of "Little Red Riding Hood" (e.g. the colour red, the hood, the wolf, etc.)
The tale of "Little Red Riding Hood" is a twist to the common conversation that elder women have with young girls beginning to go through puberty. I take it that it that in the past this could have been a way in which girls were warned of the what they could encounter while becoming a woman. Carter's version of "Little Red Riding Hood" is a more feminist version. In "The Company of Wolves", the wolf is a symbol for a man with much sexual desire. Wolves are known for their ravishing hunger and their capability of devouring the prey they desire. This could be compared to the age old stereotype that men have a larger sexual appetite than women. Older women often warn younger women about succumbing to a man's desires. Women have always been told to guard their chastity and to be careful around men. Carter's version of the fairytale gives a warning about the wolf too. The color red is most likely linked to passion, the menses, and the young girl's sexual organs. With this in mind, Little Red Riding Hood's actions at the very end are not too surprising.
Most fairy tales are between conflict and evil, the Apollonian and Dionysian elements of the story are obvious. In "Little Red Riding Hood" we have two main characters: the girl and the wolf. The girl is pure and innocent and attractive and is determined to stay on the right path which is clearly an Apollonian instinct. The wolf assures her that the forest holds no danger. The wolf's Dionysian ways are a part of his nature, he satisfies his hunger for flesh. this is the main force behind his actions. The ritual worship of Dionysus occurred in the woods, the same woods that are home to the wolf.
** Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
Fairy tales are told all over the world and in some cases, with different endings. I believe we continue to read fairy tales for 2 reasons: 1) They take us to a fantasy world that is far better and enjoyable than the world we live in, and 2)they provide a way to teach children and young adults about life. In the case of Little Red Riding Hood, I think it satisfies the purpose of teaching a lesson to young adults and children. I think the different versions we read pertain to different age groups. The version told by the Grimm brothers pertains to the younger crowd. I think having a happy ending at the end(the huntsman comes and rescues Little Red Riding Hood and her grandma)suits the younger kids better because they still have a sense of innocence.They would understand the moral as 'dont talk to strangers and dont go where you're not suppose to." The version by Perrault also had a childlike vibe to it as in this version, Little Red Riding Hood was carrying cake and butter to her grandma (whereas in the Grimm brothers version she was carrying cake and wine). She was also distracted by gathering nuts and chasing butterflies (child pastimes). The version by Carter was definitely geared to the older audience. She goes into vivid details of the wolf and in this case, the young woman (who we can assume would take the role of Little Red Riding Hood) isnt as innocent as the other two versions proposed. In this story she ends up seducing the wolf and they remain together.
Um, I'm not seeing my post in here, so here goes (if it's not too late):
** Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
We continue to read and pass them on to future generations because fairy tales were created to enforce morals and show children the consequences of not doing what they are told to do. With Little Red Riding Hood, children are being shown first off, that they should always listen to their mothers (not talk to strangers, talking wolves, etc.) or bad things will happen. Little girls in particular are being taught that they should be wary of wolves/men and not trust them even if they seem trustworthy. Further they should not just give things away (like baskets of goods) to wolves (or men) because the wolves (or men) are sly and canniving and will try to trick you! I would argue also that little girls are taught to stick with other females for support and assurance, as Little Red Riding Hood she leaves her mother and is told to hurry along to her grandmother's with no distraction or delay.
*Why do we continue to read fairy tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
I feel people read fairy tales because they serve as simple ways to teach big lessons. Due to the fact that fairy tales are usually meant for children, the writer has to incorporate life lessons suddely. These stories are easily past down from generation to generation with the foundation staying in tact. In a nut shell, fairy tales are fun, educational stories that help children learn important life lessons.
Fairy tales, of course, are primarily read for entertainment. However, I think people also revert back to childhood fairy tales to gain insight into human nature. For example, in Little Red Riding Hood, the story is deceptively simple, in that, it offers a perception of the gender roles in society. In Little Red Riding Hood, girls are characterized as being naive and blind to their sexuality. Although this generalization isn't true in today's society, the story is still told to little girls. In a way, fairy tales reinforce negative gender stereotypes.
Fairy tales, of course, are primarily read for entertainment. However, I think people also revert back to childhood fairy tales to gain insight into human nature. For example, in Little Red Riding Hood, the story is deceptively simple, in that, it offers a perception of the gender roles in society. In Little Red Riding Hood, girls are characterized as being naive and blind to their sexuality. Although this generalization isn't true in today's society, the story is still told to little girls. In a way, fairy tales reinforce negative gender stereotypes.
Fairy tales, of course, are primarily read for entertainment. However, I think people also revert back to childhood fairy tales to gain insight into human nature. For example, in Little Red Riding Hood, the story is deceptively simple, in that, it offers a perception of the gender roles in society. In Little Red Riding Hood, girls are characterized as being naive and blind to their sexuality. Although this generalization isn't true in today's society, the story is still told to little girls. In a way, fairy tales reinforce negative gender stereotypes.
Why do we continue to read Fairy Tales? What is the reason for their continued popularity?
We continue to read fairy tales because they are simple and short stories that give a great moral lesson at the end. They are told to children to help them learn right from wrong and so they are very common in the fact that everyone knows them. I think that the reason for their continued popularity is because since they are so recognizable and have good morals, adults often use these as devices to teach their children good morals just as they have been taught them.
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