THE

LITTLE
RED CAP

BY CAROL ANN
DUFFY
 Context
THE LITTLE RED CAP is a poem by Carol Ann Duffy about
sexual awakening and revenge. The poem adopts a more adult-
themed spin on the classic children’s tale “Little Red Riding
Hood”. While journeying through the woods, our protagonist
stumbles upon a wolf. Our 16-year-old protagonist proceeds to
experience several ‘firsts’ with the wolf, including having her
first drink and what can be interpreted as her ‘first time’ with
the wolf. The wolf is consistently framed as older than the girl
as he leads her through her firsts. The potential affection the
wolf possesses for the girl is never explicitly said, however, it
can be inferred that the wolf leads the girl for his self-
satisfaction. She truly and honestly believed the wolf loved her
as much as she loved him. 10 years later, the once innocent
and naive 16-year-old enacts vengeance upon the wolf for
robbing her innocence and devouring her grandmother by
slaying him with an axe. This act of vengeance serves as a form
of empowerment as she takes back her agency and is not at the
mercy of her naivete and the intimidating presence of a more
knowledgable and experienced wolf. This ending of the poem
differs greatly from “Little Red Riding Hood” as both she and
her grandmother met the same fate.