During the Victorian period, Perraults tale was deemed to improper and too frightening for the mild bourgoise <---sp? child, so it was re-written with a focus on obedience. Law-abing/school/straight path vs bohemian underground/gypsy/outlaw. You will see the composition is split into 2 sides. 1st appearance of the woodcutter symbolising authority, straight, lined up trees vs the curvy path of the bohemians. the 'gypsy' wolf trys to tempt Red to the 'dark-side'
other social symbolism: building in the background= french barracks/napoleons invasion of Germany. Germany is all about protecting national security at this point and the tale reflects this. oh and Red is like a symbol of the nation being 'corrupted' by france/gypsies etc (she carries the prussian flag over her basket)