Le chêne et le roseau
Loading...
Authors
La Fontaine, Jean de
Issue Date
2017
Volume
Issue
Type
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The strength of this big, bold presentation of OR lies in the contrast between the huge oak and the single reed that is his counterpart in this story. The first of the five illustrations has the oak taking up almost all of the left-hand page, while we need to search a bit to find the reed in the lower right corner. The perspective moves out, and we see the tree solidly lodged in the land mass, while the reed sways at the edge of the nearby water. In the third illustration, the oak is finishing speaking, saying again that nature has been unjust to the reed. This clever illustration is from above the tree as it looks down on the frightened reed, and we can see the massive reflection of the tree in the blue water. But leaves are already flying. The fourth page has text combining the reed's confident answer and the rise of a heavy storm from the North. The tree here is frightened and the reed relaxed. In the fifth, the tree at first resists while the reed bends; but then the tree is torn up from the roots – this tree that reached into the heavens "and its roots into the empire of the dead." The reed in this last picture has the hint of a smile. La Fontaine's artistry here, I believe, lies in presenting the arrogance of the tree as it looks pityingly on the reed. "If you were only closer, I could protect you." Not true! My dear tree, you overestimate yourself!
Description
Citation
Publisher
Éditions Lito
License
Journal
Volume
Issue
PubMed ID
DOI
Identifier
11622 (Access ID)