Tim Seibles uses parody in “What Bugs Bunny Said” to emphasize the fact that two characters are conflated. Seibles unites the rescuer Bugs Bunny and predator characters to create “one-in-the-same” (Maaren Module 2: “The Hunter”) While the parody follows Little Red Riding Hood’s story, it also makes a comment regarding the predators she must fear. He doesn’t care if she escapes or gets eaten. Instead, he is more concerned with the character who is targeting her. Seibles uses this parody as a mockery of the kind of predator that young girls should fear. Seibles makes use of Bugs Bunny, an iconic male character that many young girls grew to love, to show the sexually-driven and animalistic nature that can be found even in the most innocent and ordinary men.
Angela Carter’s film “The Company of Wolves”, a parody of Seibles, demonstrates the concept. Charles Perrault also has a similar parody of “Little Red Riding Hood”, a Charles Perrault story. Carter combines two of the Grimm Brothers characters from “The Company of The Wolves” (Maaren Module 2, ‘The Hunter) Carter’s story shows how Carter’s hunter saves the girl by using his charm and protection to seduce the girls growing sexual curiosity. Bugs Bunny employs the same kind of ideas to attract Red Riding Hood in “What Bugs Bunny Said To Red Riding Hood”. He uses flattery and comfort to get her to trust him. This will help him to take advantage of her situation and lead her to go home with him. Perrault’s tale warns young women not to trust “wolves who are perfectly charming, sweet-natured or obliging”. This moral was extracted by Seibles, who gave readers an example of exactly what Perrault meant. Seibles’ parody of Bugs Bunny is notable because it helps to show that young women shouldn’t fear only dangerous, grizzly-looking men, but also the kind, normal men most young women tend to overlook as predators. It is rare to see Bugs Bunny as a person who falsifies his behavior for sexual gain. He is often regarded as a good-natured character. This type of character is depicted in Seibles’ entire book. Bugs Bunny believes that Red Riding Hood, who is alone in the unknown woods, is vulnerable. This makes her an easy target, and allows him to profit from her. He does not do this openly. Red Riding Hood can be controlled through flattery and comfort. Bugs Bunny immediately comments about the girl’s physical appearance after meeting her in the forest. In the parody, he makes references to her appearance six to seven times. He greets her and says, “Say hi …””. Then he questions her about why she is there “all dressed up like an engine that cruises these woods.” ” (Seibles 6). Red Riding Hood is warned by him about dangers in the forest. He also assures her that he “ain’t no meat-eater” (Seibles 21).
Bugs Bunny’s voice is suggestive of his sexual attraction to the girl and his attempt to convince her by appealing to their sexuality. Bugs Bunny’s last sentence to the girl reads, “. . . I brought some candles back to my house, along with some uncola. / Did you find any artichokes in the basket? ” (Seibles 48-50). Artichokes and candles are consistent with setting the mood. In fact, artichokes can be considered aphrodisiacs. This is a substance that stimulates sexual desire or drive. He is clear about his ultimate goal and the method he uses to achieve it is not in line with what he warns her about. Red Riding Hood could be convinced to accept his offer because he seems different than the other animals. The message of “The Company of Wolves”, Carter’s book, and Perrault’s novel, “Little Red Riding Hood,” is important in that it combines the rescuer/predator character. This reveals the truth that women can be taken advantage from anyone they meet. It also makes it seem like they are at fault for being manipulated. The victim blaming idea is a result of this. Three occasions are devoted to victim blaming in the Seibles parody. This is often a part of female exploitation. Red Riding Hood is once again enthralled by Bugs Bunny’s comments to him. He says, “Did anybody ever tell you it was stupid / to go wild and sick? ” (Seibles15-16). Then he adds, “. . . The noyve is “that broad” / it sends you out here like a ripe tomatoes.” (Seibles 32-33) This refers to the unfortunate but common belief that she was asking or was being asked for it. This is a common phrase that is used to describe a male sexually exploiting a female. It is commonly used to defend a predator. Red Riding Hood is left to make her decision as to whether she will go to Bugs Bunny’s or proceed to her grandmother’s home. The story does not reveal this. . . “). Red Riding Hood doesn’t respond to readers. It’s all about the males who will go to extremes to “score.” Seibles makes fun of the fact that many stories are focused on the grizzlywolf, but not on its predator. The parody mocks the notion that young women should fear the obvious. But the obvious isn’t always obvious. Bugs Bunny is an iconic male character, which is well-known among children and adults of different ages. He is described as charming, funny and inherently funny. Perrault’s belief that “smooth-tongued and smooth-pelted wolves” are the most dangerous is realistically represented by the combination of rescuer and predator characters (Perrault 34). Siebles depicts Bugs Bunny’s animalistic, sexual nature as a force to get a girl to sexually engage at his pleasure.
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