However, in this story the wolf shares the human qualities of a man just as he shares his body with that of a real man. He has two sides: savage beast, and loving tender man. Similarly, humans can reveal many layers of their personalities; therefore the connection between the two is apparent here as well.
The role of nature in the story helps the reader prepare for when ominous events and danger is occurring. When it seems that "Little Red Riding Hood" is going to be eaten, the weather and the landscape outside appear to be more threatening. "It was a white night of moon and snow; the blizzard whirled round the gaunt, grey beasts who squatted on their haunches among the rows of winter cabbage- (226). The weather outside juxtaposes what is going on inside the house and in the girl's head. At this point in the story, the reader is sure that the girl will be gobbled up just as her grandmother was. Consequently, the surprise occurs at the end when as the blizzard dies down, so does the apprehension that the reader may feel. "The blizzard will die down. The blizzard died down. Snowlight, moonlight, a confusion of pawprints. All silent, all still. Sweet and sound she sleeps in granny's bed- (227). Instead of the death that the reader is convinced will occur, the girl is sleeping quietly and happily with the wolf. Also, the fact that it is nighttime, close to midnight, and dark outside makes the situation appear that much more sinister and foreboding. Bad things always happen when it is dark outside, so one tends to associate nighttime with evil and death. The surprise ending is therefore considered more shocking because of the time of night and the storm occurring outside. .
Finally, there is a connection between animals and humans in regards to sexuality. Animals instinctively mate; "Little Red Riding Hood" gives up her fears and succumbs to her sexuality, just as an animal might do as well.
