English 123—Yanover
Discussion Questions about the several versions of “Little Red Riding Hood”
1. Charles Perrault’s “Little Red Riding Hood”
2. Brothers Grimm’s “Little Red Cap”
3. “Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China” translated by Ed Young
In groups of 4, discuss the various versions of “Little Red Riding Hood” in relation to the prompt
you’ve been given or have selected. Elect a Leader, Speaker, Notetaker, and Researcher.
Find evidence for your answer(s), including your interpretation of that evidence.
Finally, discuss what is suggested or revealed about the society reflected in the text and its
cultural values and beliefs. What purpose and/or effect do these values and beliefs have?
1) How are women perceived in each version? What is expected of women in terms of
ideal/normal behavior, characteristics, etc.?
2) How are men perceived in each version? What is expected of men in terms of
ideal/normal behavior, characteristics, etc.?
3) What traits/behaviors make a person good (virtuous) in each version? What is the benefit
or purpose of these traits?
4) What is considered beautiful in each version? What is the benefit or purpose of this kind
of beauty?
5) What is the perception of or attitude toward children in each version? What is expected
in terms of ideal/normal behavior, characteristics, etc.?
6) How is childhood depicted in each version?
7) What is the perception of nature in each version?