Introduction
Every generation tries to modernize its language contributing new professionalisms and jargons to the lexicon dissolving the usage of old fashioned notions; ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, written by Russell Baker, is considered to be the essay reflecting modern jargon through the well-known children’s story. The author tried to make ‘translation’ of old classics into modern adopted version for contemporary readers.
Analysis
‘Little Red Riding Hood’ is written through the number euphemisms and special terminology describing modern respected professions; the author managed to present his revised version with overstated verbiage. The usage of euphemism, identified as replacement of sensitive words with less direct or harsh phrases, was aimed at showing the avoiding of phrases being the most fearful and unpleasant to the social perception.
The wolf’s indigestion was immediately alleviated with such
effectiveness that he signed a contract with the intervening
third party to perform with grandmother in a television
commercial demonstrating the swiftness of this
dramatic relief for stomach discontent. (Baker, Little Red Riding Hood)
Stylistic devices used by the author can be characterized by a certain mystery through the jargon being associated with them. It is important to stress that Baker filled his new version of the story with a number of professions being popular and respected by modern generation.
“The purpose of this enlarged viewing capability,” said the wolf,
“is to enable your image to register a more precise impression
upon my sight systems.” (Baker, Little Red Riding Hood)
It should be noted that the author provided a clear usage of satire disclosed through professions description. Thus, the disclosure of psychological state of the wolf was shown as “a mass of repressed hostility intertwined with acute alienation”. It is necessary to underline the fact that the author tried to replace the evil message reflected through the wolf image with an oppressed soul resisting to the society and demonstrating his aggressiveness.
The principle message reflected in the essay is to update the old work of classic in order to make it more understandable to modern readers and restate the central issue of the children’s story through the problem of American society.
“He was a victim of an oppressive society” (Baker, Little Red Riding Hood)
The author tried to demonstrate the wolf’s negativity as an example of those who cannot live in accordance with modern rules and regulations; Baker disclosed his idea using excessively complicated vocabulary and indirect expression. It should be noted that the essay can be perceived as a kind of parody revealing misapplications of the fairy tale and its distorting power. The central issue of the revised work reflection is considered to be the illustration of psychological theme shown on the example of the characters’ behavior and phrases used.
Professions highlighted by the author cover such spheres as the police, law and computer technology. It should be noted that such phrases as “attained interface“ or “place of residence” characterize modern era and society of informational and technological development. Complicated language and intricate style used by the author can be hardly understandable to small readers though it can involve elder generation to dive into the world of interpreted classic.
Terminology and euphemisms introduced throughout the whole work are aimed at showing the methods of reality distortion and exaggeration by advertisers, politicians and other influential communicators. The author managed to use a number of techniques such as careful selection, slanting and charged language for the purpose of controlling the conceptualization described. It is important to underline the fact that new introduced style of language and complicated vocabulary influence the readers’ perception of the story; one of the aspects highlighted is the politicians satirizing who used to distort the reality through the language they charge.
The essay can be called manipulating as it provides an impact on the readers’ opinion as to political correctness and the role of professional sphere jargon usage in the society. The usage of slanting is aimed at disclosure of the emotional response influence on the part of modern political communicators. The author tried to underline the level of impact produced through correct words arrangements and a number of emphasis used by modern professional leaders.
Conclusion
The analysis of the essay ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, written by Russell Baker, gave an opportunity to understand the new meaning of the old classic fairy tale. The author managed to produce an effect on modern elder generation rising the problems of political correctness through the number of techniques used: slanting, euphemisms, jargons, professionalisms and emphasis which allow to realize the methods of social manipulation and influence. Satirical character of the essay made it by emotional, involving and expressing disclosing its deep meaning even through complicated vocabulary usage. Baker appeared to be one of the authors who created a new version of the well known story providing it with a new hidden sense being appropriate for modern generation perception.
References
Baker, Russell. ‘Little Red Riding Hood’. Web.