The Big Bad Wolf is a timeless character who appears in folk tales, fairy tales, and legends across the globe. A menacing predatory antagonist…
The Big Bad Wolf is a timeless character who appears in folk tales, fairy tales, and legends across the globe. A menacing predatory antagonist often used as an allegory for real threats to children or adults’ daily lives, he remains a powerful symbol of fear for both adults and children alike.
While the Big Bad Wolf may take many forms, he is typically described as an intimidating predator that devours victims with one bite. This depiction can be found in cautionary tales written to warn readers against real dangers; one such cautionary tale is The Three Little Pigs story where its literary principle “contrasting three” comes into play when only the third pig’s brick house could withstand being attacked by Big Bad Wolf while his attacks quickly destroyed straw and stick houses belonging to first and second pigs respectively.
The Big Bad Wolf has also been depicted as more humorous characters. Looney Tunes series offers one such version voiced by Jim Cummings that is dumb and quick-tempered; you can find him in several shorts including Three Little Bops (1957). Here he plays jazz tunes while using pigs as backup band members under contract to perform for him or else they risk being eaten alive!
Happily N’Ever After offers yet another hilarious variation of the Big Bad Wolf from Three Little Pigs; here it consists of three distinct wolves who compete to take control of their pack and keep its peace. Each one resembles its counterpart from Three Little Pigs with slight modifications in personality and appearance; Fat Wolf serves as alpha with Tough Wolf and Crazy Wolf acting as lieutenants.
Additionally, film versions of the Big Bad Wolf have also appeared in books; among these was Dust City by Dan Savage in 2010, which follows Henry Whelp, son of the Big Bad Wolf and chronicles how his character was falsely accused by human traffickers for selling fairy dust.
Bill Willingham’s Fables comic book series features an alternate version of the Big Bad Wolf named Bigby who has been affected by lycanthropy, turning him into a werewolf. However, Bigby remains sheriff of Fables community and acts like a film noir hero detective; showing children that while danger exists around them; they should not fear internal monsters that arise within themselves. This version of the Big Bad Wolf should show them not to fear externally-imposed threats as much.