Analysis of a single work: the fable "The Cat and the Cook" by IA Krylov

The fable is one of the oldest and most developed genres of poetic art. Appearing back in the days of Ancient Greece, it was then widely spread in the literature of Rome. Egypt and India, too, enriched their verbal art, creating vivid examples, relevant and interesting to this day. In France - Lafontaine, in Russia - Sumarokov, Trediakovsky stood at its source.

Russian fable

It is worth noting that Russian poetry has developed that special, free, fable verse that can freely convey the laid-back, conversational intonations of the ironic, crafty sometimes slander. The genre was elevated to the given height by IA Krylov. He owns the best samples, filled with healthy humor and righteous criticism. If we consider the development of the fable in the Soviet era, then, of course, we can not forget about D. Bedny and S. Mikhalkov.

Historical background of the work

The fable "The Cat and the Cook" was written by Krylov in 1812, shortly before Napoleon attacked Russia. By that time, he had already occupied the Duchy of Württemberg, his troops 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? Straight! After all, the Emperor Alexander, like an unlucky cook, tries to exhort his French colleague, sends a variety of notes of protest. Naturally, it did not turn out well - we know what happened next. While the "master knife and cooks" rhetorically uttered accusatory speeches, Vaska calmly ate 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 determination nor the authority and strength to solve specific serious problems. However, critics, literary critics, offer one more interpretation of the work. In their opinion, "Krylov's grandfather" ridicules the attempts of the Russian enlightened monarch, who too trusts various social contracts. The fable "Cat and Cook" contains such a morality: every ruler should not only look at documents of an international character, but himself act decisively to achieve order in the country.

Image analysis

But let's take a closer look at the characterization of each of the characters in the poem. What is a Cook? He is both soft and self-confident, frankly stupid, but loves to show his importance, significance and integrity. Although, most likely, this mask hides an ordinary lover of libations and feasts. He leaves in the kitchen to watch over the order of not someone, but a cat - an animal known to be a cunning and thievish character. Naturally, Vaska decided to take advantage of the opportunity and sang on glory! Is not it true that the fable "The Cat and the Cook" is instructive? Analysis of it comes down to criticism not of the tailed glutton, but of the naive and short-sighted master of "cooking." It was his fault that both the pie and the roast were gone. And for all attempts to shame and reason the obevshshey animal - one phrase "Vaska listens and eats." He does not care, think of him as a robber, a bandit or not - the cat does not understand this. He is hungry and, following instincts, he stuffs his belly. And the cook, instead of driving the robber, save the food, looks at their destruction and utters the heart-rending speech! These are the original characters created Krylov! Cook and Cat - these types are also found in our reality. The ideological and thematic conclusion from the poem is given in the morality of the fable.

It is worth recalling that her heroes have become common, and many expressions have replenished the gold placer of Russian aphorisms.