As Shavit has pointed out, the audience is a very important element to consider when comparing different versions of fairy tales. The version of Little Red Riding Hood that I particularly enjoyed the most was James Thurber's, because I like the comical elements he places in it, particularly the moral at the end of the story.
Thurber wrote this story in the 1930's, and this is crucial not only to the audience, but is also revealing about the culuture that is reading it. The most telling aspect about the audience and culture is contained in the moral at the end: "it is not so easy to fool little girls nowadays as it used to be." By why is this important? To me, I see this as a comment on the creation of the "new woman. " By having the wolf be killed by this female character who seems very prepared to be on her own (she certainly is not intimidated by a male aggressor) he is triumphing this new woman. The culture of the time has started to get used to a more liberated woman, and this is reinforced by Thurber's telling. The girl does not need to rely on a man to save her, just as women of the time were becoming more independent of men (I am aware that Thurber's is not the only version that has this happen.)
As far as audience, I feel that it is geared towards most readers, but perhaps mostly older audiences. While it would be benefiical for younger readers (particularly girls) to feel empowered with the ability to defeat a menacing character like the wolf, older audiences are more likely to appreciate the moral, which reminds us of the previous struggles of women, and their ability to overcome them.
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I really like your take on this tale and the idea of Thurber "triumphing the new woman." I didn't think of the piece's importance in terms of the 1930s and the changing ideas of the female sex. I really like the way you apply it to Shavit's idea of the "target audience."
ReplyDeleteYou make some really nice points and very nice historical connections, Tim. In the 1930's when Thurber's version was written, women had recently received the right to vote just 10 years earlier. The story clearly suggests the culture during which the story was written.
ReplyDeleteI too enjoyed Thurber's version, and the moral at the end. I agree with what you said about the more liberated culture- there is a change that has been happening at that point in time, and Thurber definitely shows this.
ReplyDeleteI feel Thurber's take on the classic tale is very representative of the time of history in which he lived. Although, I find it very fascinating I find it a bit aggressive in the way females are portrayed throughout. I think it is also very interesting how it is so different from Calvino's version. Calvino's version is so naked and bland compared to Thurber's even though it was written much later.
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