Fables of La Fontaine — a New Edition, with Notes

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

7241

Title

Fables of La Fontaine — a New Edition, with Notes

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This 1882 edition presents Jean de La Fontaine's classic fables, translated by Elizur Wright and revised with notes by J. W. M. Gibbs. The collection features timeless animal allegories exploring human nature, morality, and social satire. With witty verse and enduring wisdom, this volume offers an engaging read for lovers of literature and philosophy.

Summary up to 500 words

Jean de La Fontaine's *Fables* stands as a monumental collection of moral and philosophical narratives that use the animal kingdom to critique human behavior, social hierarchies, and ethical dilemmas. Translated by Elizur Wright, this volume offers a window into the 17th-century intellectual landscape, where animals serve as characters to expose human vices such as greed, hypocrisy, and injustice. Wright's translation is notable for its rhythmic verse and vivid imagery, blending humor with profound insight. The collection includes Wright's original preface, which defends the intellectual capacity of animals against the Cartesian mechanistic view that they are merely machines driven by springs. Wright argues that beasts possess a distinct spirit and the power of thought, citing examples like the beaver's engineering skills and the strategic maneuvers of hunted stags and partridges. The fables explore recurring themes through memorable tales. In *The Fly and the Game*, a fly's reputation exposes human prejudice, while *The Golden Pitcher* champions truth over material wealth, illustrating that sacrificing truth for gold results in losing the richer prize. Other stories, such as *Party Strife*, depict how political infighting among animals leads to the election of an incompetent king, the ass, highlighting how party spirit banishes merit. In *The Cat and the Thrush*, the narrative reveals the hypocrisy of Grimalkin, who appears honest but secretly devours the young of the birds he protects, teaching that good sense is often indebted to its foes. Wright's edition also features notes by J. W. M. Gibbs that clarify allusions and context. While some fables were expurgated for school audiences in later editions, replaced by Wright's own original pieces, the core collection remains a testament to La Fontaine's genius. The work distills complex truths into accessible narratives that remain relevant across generations, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of justice, the folly of ambition, and the enduring value of sincerity in a world often divided by strife.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7241.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg7241.epub

Removed after upload

Downloaded at

2026-07-07 00:06 UTC

Categories

• Classics
• Fiction