Abstract: The past centuries witnessed various revisions of the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood” in many countries. This article intends to offer a textual analysis of three poems, which were all adapted from the prototype of this tale by Anne sexton, Gwen Strauss, and Carol Ann Duffy respectively, by using the theory of intertextuality, exploring the original theme and genre of the story, and integrating the critical approach of feminism. Beginning with a careful assessment on the subversive reinvention of the fairy tale’s character, Wolf, in these three poems, this article also tries to point out how the poets basically rewrote the “original story” with changes of images, expansion of plot, abrupt shift in tone, and other forms of mockery, thus “reproducing” brand new themes and implications: the “little red riding hood” portrayed by these female poets become independent, intelligent, discerning, introspective, courageous enough to challenge the patriarchal system, and anxious to re-establish her own literary tradition.

Key words: Little Red Riding Hood, prototype, parody, female poetry