Tales and Novels of J. de La Fontaine

In Short

These narratives function as a witty, often irreverent, exploration of human folly and amorous maneuvering. Through verse, they detail the elaborate schemes lovers devise to outwit jealous husbands, meddling relatives, and the constraints of their social stations. More than simple stories of seduction, they serve as a sharp-eyed observation of the human condition. They have endured for centuries because they capture the eternal tension between social propriety and private passion, all delivered with an elegant, playful detachment that invites the reader to laugh at the absurdity of our own desires.

The Story

The book unfolds as a sequence of three distinct, lighthearted explorations of romantic strategy. In the first tale, "The River Scamander," a renowned orator and his companion, Cymon, visit the site of ancient Troy. While wandering near the river, Cymon encounters a beautiful, unsuspecting shepherdess preparing to bathe. Recognizing an opportunity, he decides to play upon her innocence; he disguises himself with river weeds and rushes, emerging from the water as a local deity. He convinces the young woman that he is the master of the river and that she, by joining him, will become a goddess. Flattered and intimidated by his divine performance, she submits to his advances. For months, they meet in secret, their affair concealed by the girl’s silence and the god’s cleverness. Eventually, when a public festival reveals her secret, she is spared any lasting ruin by a combination of social shifting and the arrival of a new suitor, proving that even a compromised reputation can be restored by fortune.

The second narrative, "The Confidant Without Knowing It," follows the young Aminta, who is trapped in a stifling marriage to an elderly, jealous man named Gerontes. When the handsome Cleon begins to pursue her, Aminta—desiring the excitement of an affair but lacking a way to communicate—devises a brilliant stratagem. She approaches Cleon’s prude of a relative, Mistress Alice, and complains loudly about Cleon’s unwanted attentions. She provides Alice with vivid details of his "insults," secretly hoping that Alice will act as a conduit. As Alice furiously repeats these "complaints" to Cleon, the young man realizes that Aminta is actually signaling her availability. The two eventually coordinate a midnight tryst, using Alice’s own indignation as the bridge that brings them together.

The final piece, "The Clyster," concerns a young woman in a town near Mans whose parents intend to marry her off to a wealthy heir. She, however, is already deeply attached to a local youth. Despite the parents' vigilance, the two manage to conduct their affair with secret meetings. When the girl falls slightly ill, her well-meaning but oblivious nurse attempts to administer a medical enema. In a moment of frantic confusion, the lover, who happens to be in the room, steps in to receive the procedure in the girl’s stead, allowing the two to maintain their secret under the very nose of the caretaker. Throughout these stories, Cupid acts as the ultimate puppet master, ensuring that no wall is too high and no guardian too alert to prevent the inevitable union of two determined hearts.

How It Unfolds

The initial setup The stories establish a world where social rules are rigid but easily bypassed by those with enough imagination. Whether visiting ancient ruins or living in a small provincial town, the protagonists find that desire acts as a catalyst for creative deception.

The rising tension Each tale introduces a barrier—a jealous husband, a stern relative, or a protective nurse—that threatens to expose the lovers. The central characters must then transform these obstacles into tools for their own success.

The decisive stratagem Through elaborate ruses involving divine impersonation or the manipulation of a third party, the protagonists maneuver around their constraints. These moments of high risk are marked by a sense of inevitability, as the narrator suggests that love always finds a way to overcome.

The resolution The narratives conclude with the successful completion of the romantic act, often accompanied by the quiet amusement of the lovers. The social repercussions, if any, are treated as fleeting or easily mended, leaving the reader with the impression that life’s small scandals are simply part of the human comedy.

The People

Cymon serves as the archetypal trickster. He is an opportunist who uses his knowledge of mythology and his quick wit to transform himself into a "god." He is driven by a desire for easy conquest and succeeds because he understands that people are often willing to believe in the extraordinary if it aligns with their own secret wishes.

Aminta is a figure of quiet, calculated brilliance. Trapped in a restrictive marriage with the jealous Gerontes, she refuses to remain a passive victim. She possesses a keen psychological understanding of those around her, correctly identifying that the sour Mistress Alice can be used as a messenger. She ends the story having successfully reclaimed her autonomy through clever manipulation.

Mistress Alice represents the rigid, moralistic barrier of society. She is a "peevish prude" who believes she holds authority over her cousin, Cleon. She is the unintentional architect of the very affair she seeks to prevent, proving that those who are most suspicious of others are often the easiest to deceive.

The unnamed girl of Mans is a romantic pragmatist. She navigates the expectations of her parents and the limitations of her upbringing to be with the man she chooses. Her ability to remain calm during the unexpected arrival of her nurse highlights her adaptability and her commitment to her own happiness.

In Its Own Voice

I would not willingly abuses plant, But rather let my writings spirit want.

The narrator explains his intention to avoid vulgarity while still writing tales that possess a lively, spirited quality.

Sight of meat brings appetite about; And if you would avoid the tempting bit, 'Tis better far at table not to sit.

This couplet serves as a cynical observation on the nature of temptation, suggesting that proximity to desire makes indulgence all but certain.

What It's Really About

The book is a meditation on the inevitability of human desire and the inadequacy of social structures to contain it. It argues that morality is often a performance—a set of rules that people observe in public but abandon when presented with the right opportunity in private. The stories suggest that "virtue" is frequently nothing more than a lack of opportunity or imagination. By framing these tales within the context of wit and strategy, the work questions whether the pursuit of pleasure is truly a crime or simply a natural expression of the human spirit. Ultimately, it asks the reader to acknowledge the hypocrisy inherent in maintaining a rigid social mask while harboring very human, very messy impulses beneath.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate a sharp, observant wit and have an interest in the history of satirical verse will find much to admire here. The experience of reading these tales is akin to listening to a sophisticated, slightly mischievous guide recount the secrets of a bygone era. There is a breezy, almost conversational rhythm to the prose that makes the darker implications of the characters' deceptions feel light and even playful.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period attitudes present in the text. The narrative voice is fundamentally aristocratic and eighteenth-century in its sensibilities; it views the manipulation of women and the deception of authority figures through a lens that was meant to be amusing rather than critical. The power dynamics in these stories are often stark, and the "innocence" of the female characters is frequently a framing device for the male protagonists' ingenuity. If you can approach the text as a historical artifact—a window into the wit and cynical wisdom of its time—it remains an engaging, clever read. It is not a book for those seeking modern moral complexity, but for those who enjoy seeing how the "game" of love has been played across centuries, it offers a distinct, elegant pleasure that lingers long after the final page.