Analysis of one work: the fable "The Cat and the Cook" by I.A. Krylov

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

Fable is one of the oldest and most developed genres of poetic art. Appearing back in the days of ancient Greece, it then became most widespread in the literature of Rome. Egypt and India also enriched their verbal art, creating vivid examples that are still relevant and interesting. In France - Lafontaine, in Russia - Sumarokov, Trediakovsky stood at its origins.

Russian fable

It is worth noting that Russian poetry has developed that special, free, fable verse, which can freely convey the laid-back, colloquial intonations of an ironic, sometimes crafty tale. I. A. Krylov raised the genre to this height. It is he who owns the best samples, filled with he althy humor and righteous criticism. If we consider the development of the fable in the Soviet era, then, of course, one cannot help but recall D. Bedny and S. Mikhalkov.

Historical background of the work

The fable "The Cat and the Cook" was written by Krylov in 1812, shortly beforeNapoleon attacked Russia. By this time, he had already occupied the Duchy of Württemberg, his troops were concentrated in Poland and Prussia, and the eternal enemies of Russia, the same Prussia and Austria, began to act as allies. How does the fable “The Cat and the Cook” relate to all this? Directly! After all, Emperor Alexander, like an unlucky cook, tries to exhort his French brother, sends various notes of protest. Naturally, this did not work out - we know what happened next. While the “master of the knife and the ladle” rhetorically delivered accusatory speeches, Vaska calmly finished all the supplies. And Napoleon went to war against Russia. Thus, the fable "The Cat and the Cook" is a kind of satirical pamphlet on an amorphous, soft-bodied ruler who has neither decisiveness nor the proper authority and strength to solve specific serious problems. However, literary critics offer another interpretation of the work. In their opinion, "grandfather Krylov" ridicules the attempts of the Russian enlightened monarch, who trusts too much various social contracts. The fable "The Cat and the Cook" contains the following moral: every ruler must not only look back at documents of an international nature, but also act decisively to achieve order in the country.

Image analysis

But let's take a closer look at the characteristics of each of the characters in the poem. What is a Cook? He is both gentle and self-confident, frankly stupid, but loves to show his importance, significance andintegrity. Although, most likely, an ordinary lover of libations and feasts is hiding under this mask. He leaves in the kitchen to keep order, not someone, but a cat - an animal known for its cunning and thieving character. Naturally, Vaska decided to take full advantage of the opportunity and feasted to the glory! Isn't it instructive fable "The Cat and the Cook"?

Analysis of it comes down to criticism not of a caudate glutton, but of a naive and short-sighted owner of the "cook". It's his fault that both the pie and the roast are gone. And for all attempts to shame and reason with an overstuffed animal - one phrase "Vaska listens and eats." It doesn't matter to him whether they think of him as a robber, a bandit or not - the cat does not understand this. He is hungry and, following his instincts, fills his belly. And the cook, instead of driving the robber away, saving the food, looks at their destruction and makes sentimental speeches! These are the original characters created by Krylov! Cook and Cat - these types are also found in our reality. The ideological and thematic conclusion from the poem is given in the moral of the fable.

It is worth recalling that her heroes have become household names, and many expressions have replenished the golden placers of Russian aphorisms.