Comparison of the Two Versions of Little Red Riding Hood

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Compare and Contrast
Little Red Riding Hood is one of the most famous stories in literature. In every version of the story, the girl comes across a wolf on her way to her grandmother’s. Although the ending has changed over time, the Little Red Riding Hood still has the same meaning. David McPhail and Charles Perrault provide different versions of the story. The two stories are different in some ways and also similar in some. However, as noted, the meaning stays the same even in these stories. In this paper, the author analyses McPhail’s and Perrault’s versions.
One of the differences in the stories is the backstory provided to explain why the girl was called the Little Red Riding Hood. In Perrault’s version, the backstory is clear. The girl’s mother made her a red hood similar to the one worn by ladies when they go riding. Hence, everybody began calling her Little Red Riding Hood. In McPhail’s version, the author only mentions that she always wore a red cape when she went out hence the name Little Red Riding Hood. Unlike Perrault’s version, the one provided by McPhail has no depth. Also, in his version McPhail uses the word ‘cape’ instead of ‘hood’.
Another difference between the stories is in the introduction. Perrault introduces the story by stating that the mother and grandmother both adored the little girl. McPhail does not mention anything about the mother or grandmother’s adoration for the little girl.
There is also a difference in the baked goods that the girl takes to her grandmother. McPhail prefers to use cookies for the story while Perrault uses cakes and a pot of butter.
In Perrault’s version, when the girl starts to leave for her grandmother’s, her mother does not warn her about dawdling off. Also, when the girl encounters the wolf, it is clear that he wants to eat her. The only reason he does not eat her is because there are woodcutters working nearby. In McPhail’s version, though, the girl’s mother warns her not to dawdle off the path. Also, when the girl encounters the wolf, it does not try to eat her. Instead, it proceeds to ask her questions about where she is going.
The two authors provide different descriptions of where the girl’s grandmother&rsqu...