Krylov's works: features and diversity

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

Ivan Krylov is associated with his main works - short fables in which he ridicules human vices. The peculiarity of these small texts is the humanization of animals. So, the main characters are representatives of the fauna, but they are endowed with features in which everyone recognizes their friends and relatives without any problems, and someone even sees himself. Let's take a closer look at the works of Krylov.

Most famous

The work of the great fabulist begins to take place at school, so even children are familiar with such texts:

• "Swan, pike and crayfish".
• "Dragonfly and Ant".
• "Monkey and Glasses".
• "Elephant and pug".
• "Crow and Fox".
• "Pig under the oak".
• Quartet.

Each of them denounces and ridicules any of the popular vices. So, in the fable "The Monkey and Glasses" - one of the most popular works of Ivan Krylov - the fabulist writes about human stupidity and resistance to scientific progress. In "Raven and Fox"we are drawn the image of a narrow-minded bird, greedy for flattery and therefore deprived of the desired prey.

Second layer

Not everyone thought that Krylov's works - fables - are much more complicated in terms of content. This great writer managed to expose several vices at once to ridicule the public in one small text. So, at first glance, "The Dragonfly and the Ant" shows us a frivolous dancer and a hardworking, diligent ant who has been busy preparing provisions all summer. And it seems that the author's sympathy is on his side. But if you think about it, the Dragonfly is a symbol of art and beauty, which are valuable in themselves. Therefore, the ant was also ridiculed, which could not appreciate the beauty of the Dragonfly and help her find "shelter and home".

The second example is "The Crow and the Fox". A superficial reading will allow you to draw a logical conclusion that you should not be as stupid and gullible as a crow. But if we go further, we will understand that the author does not approve of the fox either. This flattering person is an example of how many people of the time of Ivan Andreevich (and later eras too) achieved ranks and positions, being able to tell people what they wanted to hear.

Interesting fables

Among Krylov's works, one can single out those that are not included in the school curriculum, are not well known, but therefore do not lose their depth and artistic appeal. Examples of such fables are as follows:

• "Horse", where a historical fact is described in allegorical form -the dismissal of a brave military commander who went through all the hardships of the war. Contemporaries easily guessed General Yermolov in the image of a horse languishing in a stall from idleness.
• The Shepherd and the Sea, which teaches that truth, no matter how bitter, is always better than illusory hope.
• "The Trinity", a small text that tells of a very original punishment that a Trinitarian man was subjected to.

The fabulist wrote many texts on any occasion, often also used Lafontaine's plots, reworking them, in which the main theme was ridicule of universal human vices.

Plays

Despite the fact that Krylov went down in history as a fabulist, plays can also be attributed to his literary heritage. Therefore, the list of Krylov's works would be incomplete without mentioning dramatic works in it. First of all, one should name Fashion Store, Podshchipu, Fearless Family, where the writer acts as a debunker of modern morals. Among his works is the tragedy "Philomena", which is based on an ancient plot. Here the playwright uses the features of the dramaturgy of classicism.

Tales

In the list of Krylov's works there are also stories: "Kaib", an oriental story in which the fabulist is true to himself and ridicules modern vices in a veiled form. An interesting method by which the writer characterizes the king - the main character: he generously endows him with the epithets "great", "wise", "fair", writes about him in a respectful tone, but allKaiba's actions prove to the reader that Krylov is cruelly mocking him. So, the king says that he is ready to listen to the opinion of his advisers, to take into account their wishes. But anyone who wishes to object to the will of the monarch must receive 500 lashes, after which his proposal will really be heard. Of course, no one wanted to argue with the king. In a similar spirit, the whole narrative of this work of Krylov, little known in wide circles, is built.

Interesting facts

In conclusion, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with a selection of interesting facts about the life of the fabulist:

• Krylov started working very early, at the age of 11, to help his family after his father passed away.
• The fabulist was very fond of the spectacle of fire, so he tried not to miss any of them.
• He was a very gambling man, loved to play cards for money and bet in cockfights.
• The fabulist also adored delicious food, so one of the main causes of his death is considered to be overeating. Many contemporaries did not like to invite Krylov to visit, as he could strike at their supplies.
• He was extremely reluctant to follow his appearance, which is why he was often ridiculed.

Krylov's works are deep and interesting, everyone should get to know them, because, despite the fact that centuries separate us from the life of the fabulist, the topics that he boldly touched on are relevant to this day.