Since generations past, the Big Bad Wolf has instilled fear and terror among children and adults alike with his cunning ways and menacing presence….
Since generations past, the Big Bad Wolf has instilled fear and terror among children and adults alike with his cunning ways and menacing presence. But underneath this intimidating exterior lies an individual that is both reviled and loved – this article attempts to examine both aspects of this debate in order to explore why so many fear this character.
The Big Bad Wolf can be found in numerous fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs and The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids. He serves as an archetypical predator who often consumes innocent victims; similarly seen in Aesop’s Fables and Grimm’s Fairy Tales for cautionary stories. Additionally, versions of him have become so prevalent that they have come to symbolize lies as an accepted generic antagonist figure and should serve as an important reminder against telling lies.
Although typically depicted with black fur and a cream-colored muzzle, the Big Bad Wolf can also have other colors. For instance, in Disney television series House of Mouse he can be seen wearing blue fur with white gloves; one episode even featured him disguised as jazz singer Big Bad Wolf Daddy who performed a duet with Pigs who provided his music!
In this series, the pigs use their intelligence and cunning to outwit the Big Bad Wolf – often with success! Not only do they trick him into eating wood pieces; they can also convince him that his mother has arrived by placing a doll dressed like their mother at the door and telling him about its soft voice.
A second way that the pigs outwitted Big Bad Wolf was by creating an effective device to prevent him from blowing down their houses. For instance, in one short he is trapped inside of a pot that Practical Pig has filled with popcorn and hot coals; in another short, when trying to take advantage of pigs’ breakfast in bed he falls down their chimney instead!
At Ecole de la Petite Enferie, Big Bad Wolf displays another serious side when serving as a teacher and instructing his pupils on how to avoid lying by telling the story of the three little pigs – an instruction which eventually helps the three little pigs escape being eaten by Big Bad Wolf when they lie about their houses!
American college student Derek, along with his friends, visit a cabin in the woods where they are attacked by an unseen force that seems intent on killing them one at a time. After an unfortunate misstep by police leads them down a collision course with one of the victim’s families, Derek joins forces with vigilante cops and their cynical partner in order to bring down this deadly predator – known as The Big Bad Wolf.