European Girl Travelling across China: The Reception History of Little Red Riding Hood in China from the Perspective of the Variation Theory

Abstract

The European fairy tale, Little Red Riding Hood (LRRH), was first introduced into China in 1909. Over the next half-century, several translations and adaptations had emerged. Based on the original story, these new versions displayed conspicuous Eastern characteristics, including Confucian ethics, enlightenment thoughts and nationalism. Using the variation theory of comparative literature, this paper reviews the reception history of LRRH in China and analyzes the concomitant variations. We argue that the reception of Western fairy tales in modern China was not a simple translation on the linguistic level but an innovative re-creation based on the historical context, traditional culture and realistic needs. Chinese intellectuals never thought the perception of Western civilization was a passive one-direction process. In fact, they showcased initiative at every step and utilized the West as an intermediary to launch revolutions.