Sounds Plausible

There is definitely a deeper darker message in the fairy tales. And we loved them. Maybe not initially as much as the original ‘Winnie the Pooh’ or ‘Wind in the Willows’ (both of which possess their own deep symbolism and meanings, for all they claim to be ‘children’s’ stories). The idea behind the familiar story of Red Riding hood is a fearsome example. Except when you look at it in the actual context of circumstances. Many people claim it a warning to be wary of strangers, but let us look seriously at the darker message. When does ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ actually be in the most danger? At her own house? No. Walking to her grandmother’s house? No. While she does meet a stranger in the woods, despite the fact she remained on the path as instructed (in the modern versions, in the older versions she wandered off the path). Yet, the wolf never eats her, there, in the forest.  Why not?

So what happened? Why isn’t she in danger until she is actually inside her grandmother’s house. What is inferred in that? If we apply the simple message many people believe are contained in the various tales, to the story, does the message imply rather, that we should be fearful of who is at our grandparent’s house, or who are our grandparents really? The concept of the stranger (some say is symbolised by the wolf) changes. The wolf, in the story apparently eats the grandmother. Or does it? Isn’t it more, that on arriving at grandmothers house, little red riding hood finds not the sweet, loving grandmother, but a serious, dangerous animal she had not expected. ‘At’ the grandmother’s house. Not in the wood, where the wolf could have eaten her any time previously, and still have eaten the grandmother. So what truly is the deeper message? Starting to be scared yet?

This is just one example of what the many fairy stories are about. Of course, the fact that despite it all, the woodsman (who just happened to be nearby, not suspicious - really?), hears Little Red Riding Hood’s cries for help and runs in and kills the wolf (the grandmother figure). Run with it a step further. The stranger (woodsman) is the one who actually saves Little Red Riding Hood from the wolf (grandmother)? How curious. What the suggestion seems to imply, if you examine it closely, is that there is more to fear in the home, than in the woods? Doesn’t this reverse the message most people have suggested is contained in the story. Isn’t it then possible, that Little Red Riding Hood is not the innocent creature she is portrayed? If we start to really look at even as simple a story as this, the many dark parts begin to show themselves. And, as kids, while we started to look at these simple stories, contained in such fairy tales, undoubtedly, subconsciously, we were made aware of the dark sides to these stories. They become far scarier than was expected. Is this the real story?

(Continued tomorrow)