19th Century Fables
As well-known as de La Fontaine is in France, Ivan Krylov (d. 1844) is in Russia. He based many of his fables on those of de La Fontaine, but also found much inspiration in society. You will also read fables from the second half of the 19th century by Charles Yriarte (d. 1898), a Spaniard who lived in France.
Day 1 – Ivan Krylov
Today, you will read a fable by Krylov that he based on one of de La Fontaine. As you read about councils of mice and rats, think about how fables impart moral lessons. First, what is the moral of de La Fontaine’s fable, and how is that lesson imparted? Write two sentences to answer these two questions. Second, what is the lesson of Krylov’s fable, and how is this lesson imparted? Again, write two sentences to answer these two questions. Satire is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “a poem or (in later use) a novel, film, or other work of art which uses humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize prevailing immorality or foolishness, esp. as a form of social or political commentary.” Krylov is a satirist, while de La Fontaine writes more simply moralistic literature? Explain with at least one sentence.
De La Fontaine’s Council Held by Rats
Krylov’s The Mice in Council
Day 2 – Ivan Krylov
Krylov’s fable of The Quartet has not been connected to an older fable. Write a one-sentence summary of the fable, then explain its moral in a second sentence. Could you find a circumstance in your own life that this fable could satirize? Describe this situation.
Krylov’s The Quartett
Day 3 – Charles Yriarte
Enjoy these two music-themed fables by Yriarte. Fables anthropomorphize animals. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, to anthropomorphize means “to attribute human characteristics, form, or personality to.” Reflect on the fables that you have read thus far. How did Aesop anthropomorphize animals in his fables? How does Yriarte take anthropomorphism to a new level, by having the animals make music?
Yriarte’s The Ass and the Flute
Yriarte’s The Concert of the Beasts
Day 4 – Charles Yriarte
Now read these two fables by Yriarte that anthropomorphize inanimate objects. How does Yriarte make the various objects in these fables human-like? Write a dialogue between two or more objects in your room (at least ten lines of dialogue).
Yriarte’s The Muff, the Fan, and the Umbrella
Yriarte’s The Flint and the Steel
Nihil sub sole novum 