The paper presents a comparative analysis of Ivan Krylov’s fables
and their source-texts by Jean de La Fontaine. The reception of La Fontaine’s oeuvre by Krylov is viewed in two aspects: structural and historical. It is shown how Krylov transforms La Fontaine’s plots and how Krylov’s approach to La Fontaine’s heritage changes with time. These changes are interpreted in connection with the establishment
of Krylov’s reputation as a fabulist in the context of Russian literary history.
Keywords
Ivan Krylov; Jean de La Fontaine; fable; poetics; comparative literature; Russian-French literary connections.