Famous Classics Translation (Illustrated Edition) -- The Complete Fables of La Fontaine (Famous Classics Illustrated Edition)

Author: Krylov
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-03-01
Features: Krylov's fables cover a wide range of topics, are profound in meaning, use allegory to convey lessons, and satirize the past by critiquing the present. The structure of his fables is generally very short, transforming simple, didactic tales into satirical literary works enjoyed by both the educated and the masses. The great Russian literary critic Gogol once said: "Krylov's fables— they are not mere fables, but novels, comedies, humorous sketches, and biting satirical works. In short, however you describe them, they are not simple fables." In his fables, Krylov mocks the various vices people have developed under the system of exploitation—envy, stinginess, hypocrisy, flattery, ignorance, and selfishness—and praises the fine qualities of the working people—hard work, courage, simplicity, kindness, mutual help, and selflessness. Krylov's fables are deeply rooted in the people and distinctly Russian in character. He had a profound understanding of Russia's reality and particularly sympathized with the suffering peasants under serfdom. He mercilessly exposed the tyranny of the Tsar and the crimes of the ruling class, directing his satire primarily at corrupt officials and sometimes even at the Tsar himself. Krylov's fables embody progressive democratic ideals and a critical spirit of realism. In the history of Russian literature, he is regarded as a pioneer of Russian satirical literature, alongside such giants as Gogol, Pushkin, and Saltykov-Shchedrin. Krylov's fables are widely known in Russia. The great revolutionary leader Lenin loved Krylov's fables from a young age and could recite many of them. In his debates with opponents, Lenin often quoted Krylov's fables to ridicule them. Statistics show that Lenin quoted Krylov's fables more than fifty times in his writings. Krylov's fables cover a wide range of topics, are profound in meaning, use allegory to convey lessons, and satirize the past by critiquing the present. The structure of his fables is generally very short, transforming simple, didactic tales into satirical literary works enjoyed by both the educated and the masses. The great Russian literary critic Gogol once said: "Krylov's fables— they are not mere fables, but novels, comedies, humorous sketches, and biting satirical works. In short, however you describe them, they are not simple fables." In his fables, Krylov mocks the various vices people have developed under the system of exploitation—envy, stinginess, hypocrisy, flattery, ignorance, and selfishness—and praises the fine qualities of the working people—hard work, courage, simplicity, kindness, mutual help, and selflessness. Krylov's fables are deeply rooted in the people and distinctly Russian in character. He had a profound understanding of Russia's reality and particularly sympathized with the suffering peasants under serfdom. He mercilessly exposed the tyranny of the Tsar and the crimes of the ruling class, directing his satire primarily at corrupt officials and sometimes even at the Tsar himself. Krylov's fables embody progressive democratic ideals and a critical spirit of realism. In the history of Russian literature, he is regarded as a pioneer of Russian satirical literature, alongside such giants as Gogol, Pushkin, and Saltykov-Shchedrin. Krylov's fables are widely known in Russia. The great revolutionary leader Lenin loved Krylov's fables from a young age and could recite many of them. In his debates with opponents, Lenin often quoted Krylov's fables to ridicule them. Statistics show that Lenin quoted Krylov's