Animal Imagery in Lafontaine

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses how Jean de La Lafontaine's fables take on a new perspective that makes them applicable to late 17th century French society. The paper analyzes his fables and shows how Lafontaine is particularly outspoken about certain elements of French society, such as the bourgeoisie class, while he often addresses the poor. The paper identifies his purpose in writing as well as the central themes in the stories. The paper therefore demonstrates how Lafontaine's animal characters are metaphors for French society and its class structure during the second half of the 17th century.

Outline:
Lafontaine and French Social Class
Messages to the Poor and Purpose in Writing
Comparison and Contrast

From the Paper:

"Lafontaine version of Aesop's Fables marks a valuable literary contribution for several reasons. The first is that it helped to preserve a body of work that may have otherwise fallen into the cracks of history to be forgotten. The second is that he "modernized" the originals to reflect modern French society and thought at the time. The fables still teach important moral lessons, but they have a new perspective that makes them more applicable to late 17th century French society. Lafontaine was only one of many that re-wrote the original Aesop's fables for their time period."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Aesop's Fables. The Mules and the Robbers. Aesopfables.com. last Updated October 1, 2006. http://www.aesopfables.com/cgi/aesop1.cgi?srch&fabl/TheMulesandtheRobbers Accessed April 15, 2008.
• Shapiro, N. (trans.) The Complete Fables of Jean de La Lafontaine, University of Illinois Press. Chicago, Illinois. October 2007.

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