Jean de La Fontaine: Master of Fables
Jean de La Fontaine, born on July 8, 1621, in Château-Thierry, France, is celebrated as one of the greatest poets and fable writers in French history.
La Fontaine grew up in a middle-class family in the Champagne region. Early in his career, he worked as an inspector of forests and waterways, a job he inherited from his father. However, his true passion was writing, and he pursued this calling in Paris, where he connected with influential and creative people who supported his work.
One of his earliest supporters was Nicolas Fouquet, the wealthy superintendent of finance, who introduced La Fontaine to influential figures in Paris. Later, La Fontaine served in the household of the widowed Duchess of Orléans and later lived with Madame de La Sablière, whose home was a gathering place for intellectuals, philosophers, and writers. This environment fueled La Fontaine’s creativity. Despite his unconventional and irreligious character, which drew some criticism, he was elected to the French Academy in 1683.
The Fables of Jean de La Fontaine
La Fontaine's Fables, published between 1668 and 1694, are beloved masterpieces of French literature. He adapted stories from diverse sources, including the classical works of Aesop and Phaedrus, as well as Indian tales like those from the Panchatantra. His fables, often written in free verse, are entertaining and teach universal lessons.
The first collection of his fables was published in 1668 and dedicated to the six-year-old Louis, the Dauphin of France. This collection included 124 fables across six books. Over the years, La Fontaine expanded his work to include a total of 239 fables in twelve books. While initially aimed at an adult audience, these stories became an essential part of French education and were used in schools to teach moral lessons.
La Fontaine was a great storyteller, blending humor and imagination with insightful reflections on human nature, often depicted through animal characters. Among his original and most insightful fables are The Acorn and the Pumpkin, The Cobbler and the Financier, and The Hare and the Partridge. These stories encourage readers to reflect on human behavior and societal norms.
Legacy and Impact
La Fontaine’s fables are an integral part of French culture. Madame de Sévigné, a noble writer, once described them as being like a “basket of strawberries,” impossible to resist. His work has inspired artists, educators, and writers for generations.
While some critics, like the philosopher Rousseau, questioned the moral lessons of his fables, many others admired how La Fontaine made complex ideas playful and relatable. Illustrated editions, performances, and TV adaptations, such as Les Fables géométriques in France, have kept his stories alive for new generations. His fables have been translated into many languages, including English, with The Fables of La Fontaine by Elizur Wright being one of the most notable translations, introducing his work to English-speaking audiences.
Despite living in a time of strict social hierarchy, La Fontaine's stories often expressed empathy for ordinary people and critiqued social inequalities. He passed away on April 13, 1695, in Paris, but his fables continue to influence literature and education worldwide.
Bibliography
"Jean de La Fontaine | French Poet & Fable Writer." Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jean-de-La-Fontaine
"La Fontaine's Fables." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Fontaine%27s_Fables
