Complete Collection of Aesop's Fables (Illustrated Edition)

Author: (Russia) Krylov
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Ivan Andreyevich Krylov (1769–1844) was a prominent Russian fable writer. He wrote poetry, comedies, satirical prose, and served as an editor for progressive publications, only beginning to write fables in his later years. He believed that the genre of fables was accessible and beloved by all, and its metaphorical language made it easy for authors to express views and beliefs that rulers would not allow to be spoken. Throughout his life, Krylov wrote a total of 203 fables, all in verse. He employed and refined a vast number of fairy tales and proverbs reflecting the wisdom of the Russian people in his fables, and some of his aphorisms later became new proverbs passed down among the people. Krylov's works enriched the literary language of Russia, and Pushkin called him the "most народный poet" of his time. Krylov's fables covered a wide range of topics and carried profound meanings, using objects to speak to the times and employing historical allegories to critique the present. The structure of his fables was generally concise, transforming simple, morally instructive tales into satirical literary works enjoyed by both the educated and the masses. The great Russian literary critic Belinsky once said, "Krylov's fables—not mere fables, but novels, comedies, humorous sketches, and biting satirical works—whatever you call them, they are not simple fables."
In his fables, Krylov mocked the vices people had developed under the exploitative system—envy, stinginess, hypocrisy, flattery, ignorance, and selfishness—and praised the excellent qualities of the working people—hard work, courage, simplicity, kindness, mutual assistance, and selflessness. Krylov's fables had broad popular appeal and distinct Russian characteristics. He had a deep understanding of Russian realities and showed great sympathy for the suffering peasants under serfdom. He mercilessly exposed the tyranny of the czars and the crimes of the ruling class, with his satire aimed squarely at corrupt officials, sometimes even directly targeting the czar himself. Krylov's fables embodied progressive democratic ideals and a spirit of critical realism. In the history of Russian literature, he is regarded as a forerunner of great Russian satirical literary giants such as Gogol, Saltykov-Shchedrin, and others. Krylov's fables were widely known throughout Russia. The great revolutionary leader Lenin had a deep fondness for 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 satirize them. Statistics show that Lenin cited Krylov's fables more than fifty times in his writings. Krylov's fables covered a wide range of topics, carried profound meanings, used objects to speak to the times, and employed historical allegories to critique the present. The structure of his fables was generally concise, transforming simple, morally instructive tales into satirical literary works enjoyed by both the educated and the masses. The great Russian literary critic Belinsky once said, "Krylov's fables—not mere fables, but novels, comedies, humorous sketches, and biting satirical works—whatever you call them, they are not simple fables."