Little Red Riding Hood vs Little Red Walking Hood

Find a cartoon on-line with “Little Red Riding Hood” as a theme and write a reflection on that cartoon. What kind of cartoon is that (social, political)? How do you like it? Add a copy of the cartoon, name of cartoonist and the source.

All pictures were screenshoted from Looney Tunes - Little Red Walking Hood (1937). URL is bolded below

http://www.toon.is/looney-tunes-little-red-walking-hood-video_2b0377a8a.html

The cartoon I chose was from the Looney Tunes titled “Little Red Walking Hood”, animated by Ken Harris and produced by Tex Avery. The cartoon begins with the wolf in a pool saloon catching a glance of Little Red walking down the street. He dashes to his car and races up to her. Little Red walks with her head up in the air and her eyes closed to disengage any advances from the wolf, but he continues to try to sweet talk her. Little Red has a short aside explaining how two-thirds of girls in the “modern age” have “gone through exactly what I am going through right now”. The wolf finds a short-cut to grandmother’s house and busts the door down to get inside. The two run around the house, and when Little Red knocks on the door, grandmother gives the wolf her clothes to lay in the bed. Little Red and the wolf have a fight in the corner until a Egghead, whom has been interjecting every minute or so whistling across screen, hits the wolf on the head with a hammer.

The cartoon describes the social happenings of the time, and reflects the time period’s Zeitgeist. Little Red is characterized as a pseudo-Katherine Hepburn, having various asides such as during the fight with the wolf when she states “Hard work to make a living, don’t you think?”. The Zeitgeist is clearly portrayed through the opening scene of the cartoon, as the wolf is dressed in a gentlemen, dapper fashion. He is playing a game similar to pinball, which was very popular during the 20s and 30s. Another example of the social reinforcements is during the wolf and grandmother’s pursuit around the house. The grandmother stops halfway through because a candlestick-phone is ringing. She answers it and tells the grocer her order, while the wolf stands there patiently. Both the candlestick-telephone and ordering from a grocer reflects the 1930s Zeitgeist.

I enjoyed this rendition of Little Red Riding Hood more than the original because Little Red and her grandmother were not so passive and docile. Little Red and her grandmother fought for their lives, as any normal person would, and were active participants in the tale, not just a tool to keep the story going. I also prefer this version because there were comedic moments in the story. One element that I enjoyed was that Little Red had the voice of an adult female, symbolizing her independence. Another element was during the fight between Little Red and the wolf, silhouettes walked across the screen and the two waited until they were “seated” to resume the show.

Write a comparison of “Cupid and Psyche” with that of the "The Frog Prince" by the Brothers Grimm.

http://the-toast.net/2015/03/23/childrens-stories-made-horrific-the-frog-prince/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupid_and_Psyche

The beginning of Cupid and Psyche introduces Psyche as the most beautiful maiden in all mortal lands, which offends the goddess Venus. The introduction of the Grimm’s tale describes a princess dropping her prized golden ball down a well. The rising action of each story are similar, because both result in punishment. Punishment in the greek tale is due to Psyche’s consummate beauty and in the Grimm’s tale is due to the princess’s golden ball. Psyche’s punishment is not being able to find a husband, even when her less fair sisters find one. The Greek tale implements religious elements, such as Psyche’s parents invoking the muses for answers about their daughter’s curse. 

http://www.johnwilliamwaterhouse.com/pictures/psyche-golden-box-1903/

http://fantasy-faction.com/2014/elements-of-fantasy-frogs

The Frog King and Cupid and Psyche both enforce parental themes. They know what the right thing to do is, and force their daughter into making a decision for the greater good. Psyche’s parents send her up onto the mountain to meet her fate, and the King in the Grimm’s tale forces the princess to entertain the frog. Additionally, the promises or destinies of each character must be fulfilled. In Cupid and Psyche, Psyche must go up onto the mountain because the decree told her to do so. In The Frog King, the princess must become the frog’s companion because she promised to do so.

In both stories actions occurs because of the main character defying before mentioned rules. Psyche is told not to open the box and to deliver it to Venus, but defying the rules brought her happiness and love. Since she opened the box and lay incapacitated, Cupid was able to rescue her and win her a petition of eternal life. In The Frog King, the princess is ordered to sleep with the frog, but instead throws him against the wall. Defying the rules transformed the frog into a handsome prince, resulting in her happiness and love.