IVAN KRYLOV'S LIFE AND WORKS

IVAN KRYLOV'S LIFE AND WORKS

Ivan Krylov (1769–1844) was a prominent Russian fabulist, playwright, and journalist. He is considered the most famous fable writer in Russian literature, often compared to Aesop and Jean de La Fontaine for his insightful and moralistic tales. Here are the important points regarding his life and works:

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⚫Life of Ivan Krylov:

1. Early Life:

- Born on February 13, 1769, in Moscow, Russia, into a poor military family.

- His father, Andrei Krylov, was an army officer who passed away when Ivan was only 10 years old, leaving the family in financial hardship.

2. Education:

- Krylov received little formal education but was largely self-taught, reading voraciously in various subjects including literature, philosophy, and languages.

3. Early Career:

- Worked as a government clerk and then as a journalist.

- Founded and edited satirical magazines like *The Mail of Spirits* and *The Spectator*, but these ventures were short-lived due to political censorship.

4. Transition to Literature:

- Initially wrote plays and comedies that gained moderate success. However, he shifted focus to fables, which earned him enduring fame.

5. Later Years:

- Worked as a librarian at the Imperial Public Library in St. Petersburg (1812–1841), providing him financial stability and a quiet life for writing.

- Lived a modest, frugal life, despite gaining wealth and fame later in life.

- Died on November 21, 1844, in St. Petersburg.

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⚫ Krylov’s Literary Works:

1. Fables:

- Krylov wrote around 200 fables, which form the core of his literary legacy. His fables are notable for their satirical tone, humor, and deep insight into human nature and societal issues.

- Themes often include greed, hypocrisy, vanity, and foolishness, depicted through animal characters.

- Key fables:

- The Crow and the Fox: A story about flattery and gullibility.

- The Dragonfly and the Ant: A tale of laziness versus hard work.

- The Quartet: A satire on incompetence and pretension.

- The Swan, the Pike, and the Crab: A parable about the futility of misaligned efforts.

2. Plays:

- Early in his career, Krylov wrote several plays and comedies influenced by the traditions of the French Enlightenment.

- The Fashion Shop (Модная лавка) (1806): A satire of societal pretensions.

- A Lesson for the Daughters (Урок дочкам): Highlights domestic hypocrisy.

3. Journalism:

- Edited and contributed to satirical magazines:

- The Mail of Spirits (Почта духов): Addressed societal vices and government corruption.

- *mThe Spectator (Зритель): Contained literary and satirical critiques.

4. Translations:

- Krylov translated several works of Aesop and La Fontaine into Russian, enriching Russian literature with their moralistic tales.

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⚫ Style and Legacy:

1. Writing Style:

- Blends humor, satire, and moral lessons.

- Uses colloquial language and proverbs, making his fables accessible to a wide audience.

- His fables transcend time, offering universal truths about human behavior.

2. Influence:

- Established the tradition of fable writing in Russian literature.

- Inspired later Russian writers, such as Alexander Pushkin and Leo Tolstoy.

3. Cultural Impact:

- His fables are still studied in schools and quoted in everyday Russian speech.

- Seen as a national treasure for encapsulating Russian values and critique.

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⚫ Complete Works:

1. Published nine volumes of fables between 1809 and 1843.

2. His collected fables include popular adaptations of earlier works by Aesop and La Fontaine, as well as original creations.

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Ivan Krylov's legacy endures as a masterful observer of human and societal flaws, whose fables remain timeless in their wit and wisdom.

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