Wolves

Throughout the story, the author uses wolves to symbolize fear. The villagers are so afraid of the wolves, they do everything in their power to keep them away from their homes. They are convinced that seeing a wolf means guaranteed death. However, the villagers' determination to extradite the wolves to the forest, only precludes their ability to live in communion with them.

The Girl's Knife

The girl's knife symbolizes protection. Though unafraid of the woods, she packs the knife in her basket before journeying out. She is separated from the knife when the man offers to carry her basket, and races ahead to the granny's. Because the girl cannot access her knife when she realizes the man is a wolf, she must come up with an alternate plan. Without this ready-made form of protection, the girl is compelled to communicate with the wolf, instead of trying...