The Fable as a Literary Genre
The fable, in keeping with its simple form, is easily defined. It is a short fictitious work, either in prose or in verse, frequently (but not necessarily) using animals or even inanimate objects as actors, and having the exposition of a moral principle as a primary function. It has an obvious relationship with other simple forms of literature such as the folk or fairy tale, the proverb, and the riddle. At their best, fables are compactly composed and, like all allegories, gain extended, unwritten meaning through the use of symbols.
Brevity is the fable’s first requirement, with many of the best samples of the genre comprising only three or four sentences. “The Fox and the Grapes” (no. 1), with its mere three sentences, is exemplary in this regard. The first sentence sets the stage and introduces the problem: “A hungry fox saw some fine bunches of grapes hanging from a vine that was trained along a high trellis and did his best to reach them by jumping as high as he could into the air.” The second sentence emphasizes the futility of the fox’s efforts: “But it was all in vain, for they were just out of reach.” And the final sentence describes how he salvaged psychological victory from physical defeat: “So he gave up trying and walked away with an air of dignity and unconcern, remarking, ‘I thought those grapes were ripe, but I see now they are quite sour.’ ”
Viewed as an allegory—and to an extent all fables are simple allegories—the grapes represent any unattainable goal, and because from time to time all humans are confronted with impossibilities, the story assumes universal applicability. Interpreted symbolically, the story is thus more than the description of one individual seeking a single goal; it is the account of everyone pursuing fulfillment.
The crux of “The Fox and the Grapes” obviously is not the fox’s failure to get the grapes, but rather his response to that failure. In essence, he rescues his dignity by lying to himself. However, the narrator makes no value judgment here, and precisely therein lies this fable’s universal appeal. Each individual reader can respond to the fox’s self-deception according to his or her own expectations and needs. We can criticize the fox for his dishonesty and inconsistency, or we can congratulate him for his pragmatism and positive self-image.
