Why did you like the fable of the elephant and the pug? Summary of a literary reading lesson by I.A.

The third volume is devoted specifically to this genre of literature. Among the works there is the famous fable “The Elephant and the Pug,” which was written sometime in June 1808 and first published in the “Dramatic Messenger” magazine.

The plot of the fable

Once upon a time, an elephant was brought to an unknown city to show people this strange exotic animal. When he, big and important, was being led through the noisy streets, suddenly, out of nowhere, a small dog ran out to meet him - the mongrel Moska, who began to bark hysterically, rush around and literally get into a fight with the elephant. Her friend, Shavka, hinted to her that she shouldn’t strain herself so much, because the elephant doesn’t even notice you. But Moska is counting on this, to show his visible superiority over this huge animal.

The essence of the fable “The Elephant and the Pug”

Readers form an interesting opinion about the moral of this famous fable. After all, everyone sees in it something of their own, close, special and understandable. At the same time, emphasis is placed on the place where, as it seems to the reader, the most important meaning is hidden, which instructs and warns. Some, for example, see that the whole main essence of the fable is expressed only in the final words of the fable: “Ay, Moska! Know that she is strong, that she barks at the Elephant!”

Others see the main point in the fact that it is precisely such a noisy and seemingly stupid action that can create a very favorable impression on others. But this technique does not work on smart and insightful people, because the most important thing for them is not to be known as someone, but to be.

Fable "Elephant and Pug". Analysis

So, there are two main characters in the fable. This is Elephant and Moska. But still the main character is Moska. If you think a little, it will become clear that these are the types and images of two people who are completely different in moral and social perception. It is clear that the Elephant here acts as a well-mannered and prudent person with status, who clearly knows his goals and objectives and definitely follows them, despite the machinations of enemies whom he simply tries not to notice. And knowing all this, our “respected” mongrel Moska appears in public - a person who knows how to skillfully use various situations to his advantage, but at the expense of another - a strong and prudent person who, due to his authority, will not want to get involved with her.

The fable “The Elephant and the Pug” has a rather interesting and ambiguous meaning. In fact, Moska started all this in order to take advantage of the opportunity to attract the attention of other dogs, to show her fearlessness and courage. By the way, people very often use such techniques for their own selfish purposes, in order to curry favor with others. They deliberately resort to such tricks, believing that since they have not been answered, it means that they are superior to the one they are “barking” at.

The fable “Elephant and Moska” with particular poignancy was able to show how ridiculous and futile the efforts of the little dog Moska are and even more ridiculous and stupid are her canine surroundings, which perceive all her actions at face value.

Children love to listen to fables, but adults see hidden meaning and a “double bottom” in them. Kids perceive them as fairy tales, because the main characters of the work are animals, birds, and insects. They are written in poetic form, but are easily understood, since the language is figurative and accessible. Fables are distinguished by their satirical orientation. Morality is also an obligatory part - this is a certain conclusion to which the fabulist comes. Sometimes he directly voices it at the end of the work, and sometimes the reader must come to it himself. Krylov’s fable “The Elephant and the Pug” is also interesting and beloved by many.

From the history

Fables appeared quite a long time ago. The ancient Greeks read Aesop, the French - La Fontaine. In Russia, his fables were retold and presented in his own language by Krylov, who became the most famous Russian fabulist.

Krylov's favorite fable

"Elephant and Pug" is one of the most famous works written in this genre. There are two main characters. Passive is the Elephant. It is unusual for this area, so while it is being driven through the streets, crowds gather to look at it. The dog Moska is active. She tries in every possible way to attract the attention of the Elephant and those around her. To do this, Moska barks, squeals and rushes forward. It would seem that she does not achieve her goal, since the Elephant does not pay attention to her at all, but continues to move forward. Krylov's fable "The Elephant and the Pug" shows that a truly great man does not care what opinion people who mean nothing to him have about him. Hula or tail wagging - he doesn't care about them. However, Moska's behavior was noticed by her neighbor Shavka. She invites her friend to stop being ashamed, because her actions led nowhere. To this Moska replies that she did not understand her plan at all. She is not at all going to enter into open conflict with the Elephant. On the contrary, she likes that without participating in a fight, she will be able to create an opinion of herself as a big bully.

I.A. Krylov. "Elephant and Moska" Moral Analysis

There is no separate paragraph in this fable where a conclusion is made. Therefore, there is no clear morality here. Some consider Moska a negative character who advertises himself without any reason. Talking to her neighbor Shavka, she explains that although she pesters Elephant, it is not his opinion that is important to her. He is just a way to show his strength and courage. These are the conclusions that others watching this scene should come to. Moska behaves like a strategist who knows how to achieve his goals by cunning and workarounds. Others believe that Krylov's fable "The Elephant and the Pug"

indicates how pitiful and ridiculous the efforts of a small dog are, trying to attract the attention of an important and great animal. At the same time, how stupid are those around her if they mistake Moska’s cunning for courage and boldness! Other people believe that there is no hidden meaning in the fable, and the little Pug barking at the Elephant himself is really powerful. Her actions will be appreciated by those for whom it is more important how they look from the outside than what they really are. The fable “The Elephant and the Pug,” the text of which is very ambiguous, has also become a quotable work. The last lines have become a saying. This is often said about small politicians who loudly criticize the great ones, knowing that they will not mess with them.

They led an Elephant through the streets,

Apparently, for show.

It is known that Elephants are a curiosity among us,

So crowds of onlookers followed the Elephant.

No matter what, Moska will meet them.

When you see an Elephant, well, rush at it,

And bark, and squeal, and tear;

Well, he gets into a fight with him.

“Neighbor, stop being ashamed,”

Shavka says to her, “Should you bother with the Elephant?”

Look, you’re already wheezing, and he’s walking along

Forward

And he doesn’t notice your barking at all. -

“Eh, eh!” - Moska answers her, -

This is what gives me spirit,

What am I, without a fight at all,

I can get into big bullies.

Let the dogs say:

"Ay, Moska! know, she is strong,

What barks at the Elephant!

Moral of the fable "The Elephant and the Pug"

Opinions differ regarding the moral of the fable.

Some look at the plot of the fable simply and see the moral in the last phrase: “Ay, Moska! Know that she is strong, that she barks at the Elephant!”

Others are looking for a secret meaning, believing that the fundamental idea is that one can attract the attention of the public through one’s actions. However, observant people see and understand perfectly well why this performance is being performed.

Bottom line: everyone understands the morality that is closer and clearer to them.

Analysis of the fable "Elephant and Moska"

The main characters of Krylov's fable are the Elephant and the Pug.

Moska is a small dog with a nickname and is the main character.

The elephant, on the contrary, is a minor character who remains in the background despite his impressive size. The image of the Elephant conveys the greatness and importance of a person who is completely indifferent to who barks at him and who fawns on him.

Moska is a character representing people who know how to show themselves off to the public and show off.

Communicating with Shavka, she expresses the idea that although she is addressing the Elephant, her desire is not directed towards him. The essence of the game is aimed at impressing those around you and achieving your goal: to show courage, fearlessness and strength to a crowd of onlookers.

The fabulist Krylov, with his characteristic wit, shows how absurd and ridiculous Moska’s efforts are and how stupid the surrounding public is, taking the cunning at face value.

Fable "Elephant and Pug" - catchphrases

• Know that she is strong, that she barks at the Elephant

Sections: Primary School

The purpose of the lesson: acquaintance with I.A. Krylov’s work “The Elephant and the Pug”, determining the moral of the fable.

Lesson objectives:

1. Systematize students’ knowledge about the work of I.A. Krylov, about the features of the fable genre.
2. To ensure that during the lesson the concepts of “fable”, “allegory”, “morality”, “catchphrases” are consolidated
3. Learn to work with the content of the fable (characteristics of the characters, finding a figurative expression, reading an excerpt for an illustrated fragment of the fable).
4. To develop the ability to read a fable expressively, to logically express thoughts and justify one’s judgment, to find the meaning of words in an explanatory dictionary, to replenish students’ vocabulary, to expand the range of fables read.
5. Cultivate positive moral qualities.

Equipment:

• textbook L.F. Klimanova, L.A. Vinogradskaya “Literary reading grade 3” (Perspective);
• computer, multimedia projector, projection screen, presentation;
• illustrations for fable fragments, cards for independent work;
• audio recording of the fable performed by I. Ilyinsky.

During the classes

I. Organizational moment.

II. Checking homework. Updating knowledge.

Listen to an excerpt from P. Vyazemsky’s poem and say to whom it is dedicated.

He corrected people with fun,
Sweeping away the dust of vices,
He glorified himself with fables,
And this glory is our reality.
And they won’t forget this one,
While in Russian they say:
We confirmed it a long time ago,
Her grandchildren will confirm it.

Who is the poet writing about?

Yes, this is Ivan Andreevich Krylov. Today in the lesson we will continue to get acquainted with this amazing man who lived in the 19th century and his works.

1) Systematization of knowledge about the biography and work of the fabulist.

Let's turn the pages of Krylov's biography. Will help us

Are there any interesting additions about the fabulist?

2) Quiz on the studied fables.

We are familiar with several works by Krylov. Let's remember them, and the guys of the second group will help with this. They will hold a quiz “Guess!”

1. Name the first fabulist. Where did he live? Which modern writer composed fables?
2. The heroine of which fable never found the right use for her glasses (drawing for the fable)? Remind us of the moral of this fable.
3. What fable are these lines from:
   “Was it before that, my dear?
   In our soft ants
   Songs, playfulness every hour,
   So much so that my head was turned…” (drawing).
4. What did the Ant advise to the Dragonfly?
5. In which fable did the hero move backwards (drawing)?
6. Why did the cart remain in place?
7. Read the excerpt for this picture (from the fable “The Crow and the Fox”).
8. What is the moral of the fable "The Crow and the Fox"?

Well done boys! Thank you for the interesting quiz and for your knowledge of fables.

3) Repetition of the fable genre.

To what literary genre do we classify Krylov’s works?

Remind me what a fable is?

Let's read the meaning of the phrase “moral story” from the explanatory dictionary.

Do you think it is important to follow moral rules?

What is the moral of the fable? (this is a conclusion or lesson, this is the main idea of ​​the fable)

I.A. Krylov lived in the 19th century, and we live in the 21st century, why do we still read, memorize his fables, why are they relevant today? (Human vices, such as lies, stupidity, greed, cunning, flattery, are now and in our days ridiculed; and qualities such as kindness, truthfulness, courage, hard work are approved. The qualities and characters of people are ridiculed and approved.)

How are the images of people created in fables? What is this technique called in literature? (Allegory.)

III. Physical education minute (background music).

Drawings of characters from Krylov's fables are hung around the classroom. According to the teacher's assignment, they look through the eyes of the named character.

Stand up quietly. Listen carefully to me.

Turn to the right and look for the image of the heroine who loved glasses.

Stand up straight and, without turning your head, look for the fox in the upper right corner.

Turn left and look with your eyes at the heroes who were unable to move the cart.

Stand up straight and look for the heroine who lost her cheese due to her stupidity.

Now look through your eyes to find the heroes of the fable “The Dragonfly and the Ant”

Well done, they were very attentive. I think that you are ready to perceive a new work by Ivan Andreevich.

IV. Statement of the problematic task of the lesson.

Today in the lesson we will get acquainted with I.A. Krylov’s fable “The Elephant and the Pug” and new characters, we will try to identify the moral of the work and think about whether the fable is relevant today?

V. Work on the fable.

1) Content forecasting.

Who do you think this fable is about?

How do you imagine an Elephant (attach an image of an Elephant to a dynamic picture)?

Who do you think Moska is? How do you see her (attach an image of Moska)?

Let us turn to the composition of the word Moska. Which part of the word indicates the small size of the dog? (Diminutive suffix -k-.)

Let's read the meaning of the word Moska from the explanatory dictionary.

2) Independent reading of the fable.

Read the fable using the buzz reading technique.

Were your assumptions about the heroes of the fable justified?

3) Vocabulary work.

Have you come across any unfamiliar words?

Explain the meaning of these words (Appendix 2).

Onlookers are those who wander around the streets doing nothing.

On display - to draw attention for appearance's sake.

A bully is a person who likes to start quarrels.

Breakaway - from where.

A mongrel is a non-pedigreed dog, street or yard.

A curiosity is a strange, amazing thing or phenomenon.

4) Work on the content of the fable.

Repeated reading of the fable by individual students.

a) Conversation.

How does the artist draw the Elephant? Find words in the text that help you understand the character of the Elephant.

Find action words that show Moska's behavior. How do they characterize the heroine?

Which action most clearly emphasizes Moska’s behavior? How do you understand the expression “well, rush at him”?

Did the Elephant notice that there was some kind of dog at his feet?

Can we say that in the fable the main characters are opposed to each other? What qualities does each of them have?

Do a little independent work on the cards.

Card: Underline the words that characterize the hero.

Furious, big, self-possessed, small, calm, angry, stupid, good, harmful, important, smart, insignificant, kind, weak, cocky, strong.

Exercise: the first option emphasizes the words that characterize the Elephant, the second - the Pug.

Check: individual students and then self-check on the table on the board.

What are these words called?

b) Work on figurative expressions.

Find figurative expressions in the text that correspond to these phrases (Appendix 3):

1. 1. Showed it to people on the street. (Drived for show.)
2. 2. Unseen, rare. (It’s a novelty for us.)
3. 3. Groups of curious people walked around, aimlessly looking around. (Crowds of onlookers walked around.)
4. 4. Suddenly appear from somewhere. (No matter what.)
5. 5. Stop embarrassing yourself. (Stop being ashamed.)
6. 6. Gives courage. (This is what gives me spirit.)

c) Selective reading.

Read the fragments of text or lines that match the illustrations (the illustrations are attached randomly on the back of the board).

Restore the sequence of events of the fable.

What did Shavka advise Moska? Why does she condemn Moska?

Read why Moska attacked the Elephant.

Why is Moska sure that she can be considered strong without a fight at all?

How do you feel about Moska?

What is Krylov making fun of in the fable? (Pug boasts, wants to show that she is strong, cocky and is not afraid even of the Elephant. She understands that she does not pose any danger to the Elephant and he will not fight her, but she so wants to show herself and stand out among others.)

Yes, Moska is a braggart. She wants to stand out in any way, to make her feared, considered very strong and cocky. She wants to attract attention to herself.

In what lines, which have become popular, is the moral of the fable expressed? Can we say that the moral of the fable is expressed through the description of the characters?

Is it possible to meet such “Pugs” in real life?

5) Reading by a master of artistic expression.

Sit comfortably, close your eyes and listen carefully to the fable performed by the great Russian actor Igor Ilyinsky, a master of artistic expression. Listen carefully to see if the actor reads the fable with the same intonation. (A recording of a fable sounds.)

Have you noticed the difference when reading yours and the master of the word?

6) Reading by roles.

Try to maintain correct intonation when reading.

(Listening to children. Assessment.)

VI. Lesson summary.

Is Krylov’s fable “The Elephant and the Pug” relevant today? Why do you think so?

What is the moral of the fable?

When in life can you use the words “Ay, Moska, I know she is strong, that she barks at the Elephant”? (When a person takes on a task that is beyond his strength. When a person wants to attribute to himself qualities that he does not have.)

VII. Reflection.

You have houses of two colors on your tables. Choose the one that matches your mood for the lesson (yellow - joyful, cheerful, blue - sad, sad) and write on it what moral lesson you learned from the fable. Then attach on a dynamic picture.

What does the resulting drawing remind you of?

Does everything correspond to the content of the fable (add the Muzzle, remove the Tiger)?

VIII. Homework.

Choose a task for yourself:

a) learn a fable, draw an illustration;
b) read the fable expressively; make up questions for the fable;
c) read expressively, make a crossword puzzle based on the fable.

Elephant and Pug drawing

Fable Elephant and Pug read text by Ivan Krylov

They led an Elephant through the streets,
Apparently, for show.
It is known that Elephants are a curiosity among us,
So crowds of onlookers followed the Elephant.
No matter what, Moska will meet them.
When you see an Elephant, well, rush at it,
And bark, and squeal, and tear;
Well, he gets into a fight with him.
“Neighbor, stop being ashamed,”
Shavka says to her, “Should you bother with the Elephant?”
Look, you’re already wheezing, and he’s walking along
Forward
And he doesn’t notice your barking at all. -
“Eh, eh!” - Moska answers her, -
This is what gives me spirit,
What am I, without a fight at all,
I can get into big bullies.
Let the dogs say:
"Ay, Moska! know, she is strong,
What barks at the Elephant!

Moral of the fable Elephant and Pug

When trying to figure out the moral of the fable, many people have differing opinions. Some look at the fable directly, while others find hidden meaning in it. On the one hand, you can look and say that Moska is really brave, that with her actions she is trying to scare the elephant.

If you look from the other side, you can see that all this is being done for show. By taking some actions or deeds, you can create any opinion of people, in this case dogs, about yourself. Everyone sees the morality they want to see. Someone looks straight, but someone who acts the same as Moska sees a hidden meaning here.

Moral in your own words, the main idea and meaning of the fable The Elephant and the Pug

Sometimes it is enough just to appear brave and strong, and not to be.

Analysis of the fable Elephant and Moska

Krylov’s fable “The Elephant and the Pug” tells the story of an elephant being led through the city and a dog barking at it. Another dog tells her that the elephant does not react in any way to her barking, Moska replies that in this way her authority increases in the eyes of other dogs, because barking at him she looks fearless.

Moska is the main character of this fable, since she is the only one who has a nickname. It symbolizes people who constantly advertise themselves to someone for show. The efforts to scare the elephant are not directed at him at all. This whole game is more intended for the surrounding dogs, who would respect her if they saw her barking at a big elephant. It is enough for her to simply give the impression of a brave and strong dog. The elephant will not have any reaction to her, but in this way she will achieve her goal. After all, after this she will be in authority with other dogs.

This often happens with people. By doing something for show, sometimes they actually achieve their goals. Krylov, on the one hand, was able to show how ridiculous her efforts to scare the elephant were, but on the other hand, he showed how stupid the dogs around her were. They mistake her cunning actions to gain their respect as a way to simply scare the elephant.

The main characters of the fable (characters) by Ivan Krylov

Moska

The swan rushes into the sky, not realizing that he alone cannot lift the cart.

Elephant

Big and strong, does not notice the small Moska at all

Mongrel

Says an outsider's opinion.

Winged expressions that came from the fable Elephant and Moska

• Know that she is strong, that she barks at the Elephant

Listen to Krylov's fable Elephant and Moska

Cartoon based on I.A. Krylov's fable "Elephant and Moska"