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The following two fairy tales are analyzed in terms of a new view of mythology and the folk tale. The main stream of the argument is discussed extensively in my book, The Gates of the Dream(1953), and in many of my other papers (Róheim, 1948); (1952), (1952a), (1952b), (1952c), (1952d), (1952e). To put this theory briefly: It seems that dreams and myths are not merely similar but that a large part of mythology is actually derived from dreams. In other words, we can not only apply the standard technique of dream interpretation in analyzing a fairy tale but actually can think of tales and myths as having arisen from a dream, which a person dreamed and then told to others, who retold it again, perhaps elaborated in accord with their own dreams.
In Grimm's version (No. 26) Rotkäppchen is told by her mother to take a slice of cake and a bottle of wine to her sick grandmother. She is warned against dallying on the way; she is to go straight to grandmother and say "Good morning" like a good little girl. She meets the wolf and, not knowing what an evil character she is talking to, they start a conversation. The wolf finds out all about her and her grandmother. While she is gathering flowers, the wolf runs to the grandmother's house, swallows the grandmother and dresses up in her clothes.
The wolf lies down on the bed and, when the little girl arrives, he pretends that he is the grandmother. The child approaches the bed and is surprised when nobody answers her "Good morning." "Grandmother, why do you have such big ears?" she asks.
So I can hear what you are talking.
Why do you have such big eyes?
Because I want to see you.