Three Little Pigs
What does a feminist reading reveal about Dahl’s intentions in “The Three Little Pigs”?
Although feminist theory has been in existence for many years, its exact definition is still debated. However, it is generally agreed that the theory attempts to discourage existing stereotypes concerning women and deconstructs ideas that they are inferior to men, as well as disproving outdated assumptions to do with gender roles. When this theory is applied to Roald Dahl’s ‘The Three Little Pigs’, the reader can see a different type of woman, who is strong, heroic and independent, in the character of Little Red Riding Hood. Similarly to the way that the Moderns brought Ancient literature up to date during The Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns, …show more content…
However, the fact that Little Red Riding Hood does kill the animals, and sadistically parades their skins as clothes, indicates that Dahl believes that women can be just as, if not more, powerful than men, especially when they feel the need to stand up for themselves. This is also apparent in another well-known children’s story, Anthony Brown’s ‘Piggybook’, in which two sons and their father portray increasingly sexist and stereotypical views. Like Dahl, Anthony Brown deliberately challenges and attacks these stereotypes. If one applies feminist theory to this tale, one would view the woman in the story as domestically oppressed and reduced to a slave-like role. And yet, as in ‘The Three Little Pigs’, the female character in Piggybook stands up for herself, asserts her rights and ends up …show more content…
In The Three Little Pigs, however, her character is drastically changed and is much more independent and 'masculine' than in the original story. She is noted more for her actions in the Roald Dahl version than for her appearance. I believe that Roald Dahl used an existing character and brought her up to date as he wished to create a female character which children, especially girls, already identified with, so that they could already feel as though they knew her. He made her more brave, intelligent and bold, so as to encourage young girls to also exhibit these qualities, and to not be afraid to do things that are viewed as manly rather than
Although feminist theory has been in existence for many years, its exact definition is still debated. However, it is generally agreed that the theory attempts to discourage existing stereotypes concerning women and deconstructs ideas that they are inferior to men, as well as disproving outdated assumptions to do with gender roles. When this theory is applied to Roald Dahl’s ‘The Three Little Pigs’, the reader can see a different type of woman, who is strong, heroic and independent, in the character of Little Red Riding Hood. Similarly to the way that the Moderns brought Ancient literature up to date during The Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns, …show more content…
However, the fact that Little Red Riding Hood does kill the animals, and sadistically parades their skins as clothes, indicates that Dahl believes that women can be just as, if not more, powerful than men, especially when they feel the need to stand up for themselves. This is also apparent in another well-known children’s story, Anthony Brown’s ‘Piggybook’, in which two sons and their father portray increasingly sexist and stereotypical views. Like Dahl, Anthony Brown deliberately challenges and attacks these stereotypes. If one applies feminist theory to this tale, one would view the woman in the story as domestically oppressed and reduced to a slave-like role. And yet, as in ‘The Three Little Pigs’, the female character in Piggybook stands up for herself, asserts her rights and ends up …show more content…
In The Three Little Pigs, however, her character is drastically changed and is much more independent and 'masculine' than in the original story. She is noted more for her actions in the Roald Dahl version than for her appearance. I believe that Roald Dahl used an existing character and brought her up to date as he wished to create a female character which children, especially girls, already identified with, so that they could already feel as though they knew her. He made her more brave, intelligent and bold, so as to encourage young girls to also exhibit these qualities, and to not be afraid to do things that are viewed as manly rather than