Characters

The most important characters in “The Werewolf” by Angela Carter are the little girl, her grandmother, and the collective character of the community living in the northern territory.

The little girl is a version of the well-known fairy-tale character Little Red Riding Hood. There are, however, many changes to the original fairy-tale in Angela Carter’s short story. The little girl can be considered either a heroine or a villain, depending on how the ending is interpreted. Because her encounter with the werewolf indirectly leads to her moving into the grandmother's house and gaining independence, we could say that the little girl undergoes a rite of passage, as she transitions from childhood to adulthood.

The grandmother can be closely linked to Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother (who is eaten by the wolf in the well-known version of the tale). However, the plot twist reveals that the grandmother is a werewolf. Through her dual nature, the significance of the grandmother is mainly symbolic.

The community is another important character. The people living in the northern territory are characterized by shared beliefs and superstitions, but also by cruelty and sexism.

Other characters are also briefly mentioned: the little girl's mother, her father, and the grandmother’s neighbors.

You can read a more detailed analysis of the little girl and the community in the following sections.