"Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf" by Roald Dahl

The character of Little Red Riding Hood in Dahl’s version “Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf” is bold, independent, and seems to have learned all of her lessons, at least in dealing with wolves, already. Directly following the terrifying threat the wolf, who is about to make her dinner, “the small girl smiles. One eyelid flickers.” Little Red is unaffected by the ferocious beast before her. This quote portrays a young girl who does not appear to be afraid of anything. Little Red is also one gigantic step ahead of the poor wolf, who thinks he knows how the story will end; his second meal and the satisfaction of his hunger at last. Little Red has another ending in mind and has prepared herself for such an end. Bringing with her a means of killing the wolf, she intentionally provides the resources she needs to successfully fix her problematic situation. Little Red Riding Hood “whips as pistol from her knickers. She aims it at the creatures head and bang bang bang, she shoots him dead.” Maybe she always carries a pistol with her, but regardless, she is prepared. Little Red seems almost arrogant at the end of the poem, when coming upon another person, immediately states, “Hello, and please note my lovely furry WOLFSKIN COAT.” Blatantly pointing her new coat out in such a way, Little Red is revealing her pride in her accomplishments that were all brought about with no one to help her.