The Fables of La Fontaine / Translated into English Verse by Walter Thornbury and Illustrated by Gustave Doré

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

50316

Title

The Fables of La Fontaine / Translated into English Verse by Walter Thornbury and Illustrated by Gustave Doré

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Jean de La Fontaine's timeless collection of animal fables offers witty moral lessons through anthropomorphic characters. This 1886 edition, translated by Walter Thornbury and illustrated by Gustave Doré, blends classic French poetry with striking visual art to explore themes of greed, folly, and human nature.

Summary up to 500 words

Jean de La Fontaine's celebrated collection of fables presents a vast array of animal characters who embody human vices and virtues, delivering sharp moral critiques through allegory. In this volume, translated into elegant English verse by Walter Thornbury and illustrated with dramatic detail by Gustave Doré, the narrative explores the complexities of human behavior through stories ranging from the cunning Fox and the greedy Wolf to the industrious Ant and the carefree Grasshopper. The collection preserves the rhythmic charm of the original French while making the text accessible to English readers, enhanced by Doré's full-page illustrations that bring the animal characters to life. The book features an essay on La Fontaine's life, detailing his journey from a lazy youth in Château-Thierry to a renowned poet. It includes prefaces dedicated to the Dauphin and offers insights into the author's evolution from a man of pleasure to a disciplined artist influenced by classical authors like Horace and Virgil. Through these stories, La Fontaine critiques societal injustices, the hypocrisy of the powerful, and the folly of those who ignore practical wisdom. Famous tales such as 'The Fox and the Grapes,' where unattainable goals are dismissed as sour, and 'The Lion and the Mouse,' illustrating that even the mighty can be helped by the small, serve as enduring classics. The fables warn against the dangers of flattery, celebrate the resilience of the humble, and expose the absurdity of human ambition. Whether depicting the miser who loses his treasure, the fraudulent trustee who swindles his neighbor, or the frogs who foolishly plot against the sun, the narratives remain timeless. La Fontaine's work serves as a mirror to society, revealing how animals reflect human nature, from the arrogance of the peacock to the wisdom of the owl. Ultimately, the collection resonates with readers seeking insight into the moral and ethical dilemmas that define the human condition, offering lessons on gratitude, justice, and the limits of human folly.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Classics
• Fables