Patriarchal Discourse in The Little Red Riding Hood by Grimm Brothers

Do you think that works of art like fable, stories and tales are just a piece of work to amuse the readers? Of course not, they all include the value system which embodies the social construction and its aspects. The writers of tales try to reflect the readers on some crucial ideas which come from their perspectives and ideologies. Thus they create a discourse depending upon ideological value system.  Like some works of art, Little Red Riding Hood with the version of Grimm Brothers, was rewritten by basing on the values of patriarchal system and its decree. It stands up for the feminine obedience and set off an idea as regards the assumed characteristics of woman. In the very beginning of the story, Little Red Riding Hood takes some advice from her mother not to talk strangers and to walk nicely and quietly.  This statement comes true the patriarchal society’s expectation from the woman regarding feminine fashion during   the 19th  century.  It means that woman are seen the most vulnerable, humble creatures in the universe and they must carry out the assumptions what the society anticipates from them. Otherwise, sooner or later they will need to male’s power to survive in fact they are inadequate to male. According to Grimm Brother’s discourse, woman has the subservient position in the patriarchal society. While the man who has the dominant characteristics such as wealthy, and powerful persona, woman must be under the authority of man as a repressed individual and served their sexual desire as a duty of feminine. The Hunter is chosen specially to stand out the man’s power and also can be referred a hunter who covered woman with his dominance as traditional hunters tries to make a plan in order to catch his “hunt”   Moreover, mandating female submission can be exemplified drawing attention the Bad Wolf’s speech, it is presented us the Wolf’s discourse about the girl “What a tender young creature! What a nice plump mouthful.” The aim of existing woman is put forward as if she is the creature of serving for the laws of patriarchy in the sense of sexuality. Grimm Brothers’ intention to create such an archetype of woman for the Little Red Riding Hood is to reveal to the readers that the proper characteristics of woman should be a subservient, calm and angel in the house. They cannot be like the individuals of male dominance they are subject to obey the social norms (Little Red Riding Hood’s mothers advise). The order of patriarchal system is the superior and whoever doesn’t follow these typical and exact rules, their end will be sorrowful. When Little Red Riding Hood doesn’t mind the advice of her mother she demolishes the expected archetype of woman and at the end, Grimm Brothers build up a discourse that she regrets not to obey the norms of patriarchy then the male dominant figure, “The Hunter” visualizes with weapon which represent the power of man is seen us when the vulnerable, woman have trouble in their life. To illustrate such a male figure after defying the laws of patriarchy (run off different path) remark that if one go astray without caring about social standards of society, the patriarchal system will prove that you are the subservient and bound to protect from the situation by the helps of “male.” Because the Hunter arrives on the scene to take over, to govern, and control Little Red Riding Hood’s future. Moreover, if she cared about his mother advises in advance, this story wouldn’t be so effective to underline the necessities of laws in patriarchal society. Because it is fictionalized according to a lesson which concludes from at the end of the story how ideal woman should be according to norms of patriarchy. To this respect, if a woman prefer to go another way which comes her more inviting without minding the deep darkness of forest, society regard as a bad one and by the power of patriarchy, Grimm Brothers make up a situation reveals that the woman must need the power of male. In addition the Hunter, “Bad Wolf” also represents  the culture of male domination as its arms , ears , teeth and eyes are presented us being large  ,  while the Red Little Riding Hood is told  us a small figure which emphasize us the dominant masculine as subliminal she is weak, vulnerable and helpless against the patriarchy in a way. As a conclusion, Grimm Brothers portray the patriarchal discourse in The Little Red Riding Hood  concerning that good woman should do traditional female activities like wearing apron, cooking meals, and cleaning while male is the heroic dragon slayer creature who protect woman by reflecting her as powerless and their path should be the proper which is dictated by patriarchal society. The traditional roles of woman in the 19th century prove that the patriarchal society demonstrate us there was a misogyny that designate woman to creature of submission part.

Story of Little Red Riding Hood