I found Robert Cole’s quotes to be an interesting take on the purpose of a story. Personally, I would agree with Coles statement, “The whole point of stories is not ‘solutions’ or ‘resolutions’ but a broadening and even heightening of our struggles.” (Coles), because as readers we tend to search for some type of relation to the characters in the story and their situation. And based on how the character handles their struggle, we consider how we deal with our own. The “Little Red Riding Hood” cycles proposed multiple different version of the same tale. Cole’s quote forces us to not focus on being satisfied (or unsatisfied) with the resolution of these stories, but to focus on the content of the story itself, and how it relates to our struggles. It shifts the purpose of the simple tale of LRR, into something much more personal, carrying an individual meaning for everyone.
When relating Coles’ quote to the “Little Red Riding Hood” stories, we must think of the struggles that Little Red faced throughout the tale. I believe her main problem was her blissful ignorance in thinking that The Wolf would not harm her, and even further trusted him enough to tell him where she was going. In the Brothers Grimm version, “Little Red Cap”, Little Red listens to The Wolf when he encourages her to delay her trip to look at the flowers and the birds, using manipulative phrases such as, “You are walking along as if you are on the way to school, and yet it’s so heavenly out here in the woods.” (Brothers Grimm). Little Red wants to believe that the world is a safe place, where the sun always shines and everyone is friendly, therefore, she takes the Wolf’s advice and picks flowers and get herself deeper into the woods. Being very easily persuaded myself, I can identify with Little Red, because I too have a positive perception of the world, and wish people weren’t as cruel and conniving as they are. But that’s what separates my struggle from Little Red’s, because I understand reality, and I know better not to trust strangers.
My personal favorite version was Chiang Mi’s “Goldflower and the Bear”, simply because Goldflower was clever enough to take control of the situation, show some courage and cleverly freed herself and saved her brother. Although as I focus on Cole’s first quote, I see multiple struggles that the reader can possibly identify with in this story. One example would be what makes Goldflower so admirable, her strength and courage. Numerous people everyday struggle with their own lack off strength and courage. It is a trait that is earned, not inherited, and reading this version of LLR could “even heighten” (Cole) their struggle with it. Another example of Goldflower’s problem is her conceited attitude when she teases the Bear in the tree after her escape. Having an egotistical attitude often places you in a worse position then that of when you started, and Goldflower could have easily gotten herself in too deep for her wit to save her. Just as Cole had said, instead of focusing on the happy resolution of this story, the reader will be focused on their own struggle with their ego.
