Introduction: “The Cat And The Rat” by Jean de La Fontaine
“The Cat and the Rat” by Jean de La Fontaine first appeared in 1668 as part of the initial collection of his Fables, which drew inspiration from Aesopian tradition while embedding moralistic satire. This particular fable examines themes of mistrust, self-preservation, and the transient nature of alliances formed under duress. Through its vivid anthropomorphism—embodied by the cunning cat and skeptical rat—La Fontaine critiques opportunistic behavior and the folly of expecting loyalty from inherently predatory instincts. Its popularity as a textbook poem lies in its accessible narrative and enduring moral lesson: “Alliance from necessity is safe just while it has to be.” These themes, coupled with the sharp, quotable wit of lines like “To thankfulness, or even pity, / Can cats be ever bound by treaty?” make it a cornerstone of moral education and a perennial favorite in literary studies.
Context: “The Cat And The Rat” by Jean de La Fontaine
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Four creatures, wont to prowl, –
Sly Grab-and-Snatch, the cat,
Grave Evil-bode, the owl,
Thief Nibble-stitch, the rat,
And Madam Weasel, prim and fine, –
Inhabited a rotten pine.
A man their home discover’d there,
And set, one night, a cunning snare.
The cat, a noted early-riser,
Went forth, at break of day,
To hunt her usual prey.
Not much the wiser
For morning’s feeble ray,
The noose did suddenly surprise her.
Waked by her strangling cry,
Grey Nibble-stitch drew nigh:
As full of joy was he
As of despair was she,
For in the noose he saw
His foe of mortal paw.
‘Dear friend,’ said Mrs. Grab-and-Snatch,
‘Do, pray, this cursed cord detach.
I’ve always known your skill,
And often your good-will;
Now help me from this worst of snares,
In which I fell at unawares.
‘Tis by a sacred right,
You, sole of all your race,
By special love and grace,
Have been my favourite –
The darling of my eyes.
‘Twas order’d by celestial cares,
No doubt; I thank the blessed skies,
That, going out to say my prayers,
As cats devout each morning do,
This net has made me pray to you.
Come, fall to work upon the cord.’
Replied the rat, ‘And what reward
Shall pay me, if I dare?’
‘Why,’ said the cat, ‘I swear
To be your firm ally:
Henceforth, eternally,
These powerful claws are yours,
Which safe your life insures.
I’ll guard from quadruped and fowl;
I’ll eat the weasel and the owl.’
‘Ah,’ cried the rat, ‘you fool!
I’m quite too wise to be your tool.’
He said, and sought his snug retreat,
Close at the rotten pine-tree’s feet.
Where plump he did the weasel meet;
Whom shunning by a happy dodge,
He climb’d the hollow trunk to lodge;
And there the savage owl he saw.
Necessity became his law,
And down he went, the rope to gnaw.
Strand after strand in two he bit,
And freed, at last, the hypocrite.
That moment came the man in sight;
The new allies took hasty flight.
A good while after that,
Our liberated cat
Espied her favourite rat,
Quite out of reach, and on his guard.
‘My friend,’ said she, ‘I take your shyness hard;
Your caution wrongs my gratitude;
Approach, and greet your staunch ally.
Do you suppose, dear rat, that I
Forget the solemn oath I mew’d?’
‘Do I forget,’ the rat replied,
‘To what your nature is allied?
To thankfulness, or even pity,
Can cats be ever bound by treaty?’
Alliance from necessity
Is safe just while it has to be.
Annotations: “The Cat And The Rat” by Jean de La Fontaine
| Line/Section | Annotation |
| Four creatures, wont to prowl… | Introduces the key characters: the sly cat, grave owl, thieving rat, and prim weasel. The setting—a decayed pine—symbolizes an unstable and decaying moral ground. |
| A man their home discover’d there… | A human element introduces external threat. The man symbolizes fate or unforeseen danger, setting up the snare as a metaphor for life’s traps. |
| The cat, a noted early-riser… | The cat’s habitual nature leads it into danger, emphasizing the theme of overconfidence in routine. |
| The noose did suddenly surprise her… | The snare catches the cat, demonstrating the vulnerability of even the cunning. |
| Waked by her strangling cry… | The rat’s joy upon seeing the trapped cat underscores the enmity between them and foreshadows the tension between alliance and self-interest. |
| ‘Dear friend,’ said Mrs. Grab-and-Snatch… | The cat employs flattery and deceit, feigning friendship to manipulate the rat. This highlights her cunning and opportunism. |
| ‘Now help me from this worst of snares…’ | The cat’s plea reveals desperation, showing how adversity compels even the strong to seek aid from unlikely allies. |
| ‘Tis by a sacred right…have been my favourite | The cat invokes divine favor to convince the rat, showing how rhetoric and manipulation are used to gain trust in desperate times. |
| Replied the rat, ‘And what reward…’ | The rat demands a reward, reflecting a cautious and transactional approach to alliances, a key moral point of the fable. |
| ‘Why,’ said the cat, ‘I swear…’ | The cat promises protection, using persuasion and making an oath to secure the rat’s cooperation. This highlights the precarious nature of promises made under duress. |
| ‘Ah,’ cried the rat, ‘you fool!’… | The rat rejects the cat’s appeal, showcasing his wisdom and understanding of her predatory nature, a pivotal moment of insight in the story. |
| He said, and sought his snug retreat… | The rat’s retreat to safety reflects a tactical withdrawal, symbolizing prudence in the face of danger. |
| Where plump he did the weasel meet… | Introduces additional danger in the form of the weasel, demonstrating that the rat’s world is fraught with risks. |
| And there the savage owl he saw… | The owl further compounds the peril, emphasizing that survival often demands navigating multiple threats. |
| Necessity became his law… | The rat gnaws the rope out of necessity, showing how survival instincts can override caution. |
| And freed, at last, the hypocrite… | The cat’s release underscores the complexity of alliances formed under duress—necessary but fraught with risk. |
| That moment came the man in sight… | The sudden appearance of the man intensifies the urgency of escape, symbolizing how external pressures can abruptly upend plans. |
| A good while after that… | Transition to a later time, showing the aftermath of the temporary alliance and the dynamics of distrust. |
| ‘My friend,’ said she, ‘I take your shyness hard | The cat tries to reestablish contact, illustrating her persistent cunning and ability to adapt her strategy. |
| ‘Do I forget,’ the rat replied…’ | The rat’s response is incisive, revealing his understanding of the cat’s true nature and the lesson that trust should not be easily given. |
| Alliance from necessity… | The moral of the story concludes the fable, reinforcing the idea that partnerships formed out of need are inherently temporary and fragile. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “The Cat And The Rat” by Jean de La Fontaine
| Device | Example | Explanation |
| Alliteration | Sly Grab-and-Snatch, the cat; Thief Nibble-stitch, the rat | Repetition of initial consonant sounds creates rhythm and emphasis on character traits. |
| Allegory | The entire fable | The poem acts as an allegory for human behavior, illustrating themes of mistrust and alliances. |
| Anthropomorphism | Mrs. Grab-and-Snatch, the cat… | Animals are given human traits, such as speaking and reasoning, to convey moral lessons. |
| Assonance | Grey Nibble-stitch drew nigh; as full of joy was he | Repetition of vowel sounds creates a melodic quality to the narration. |
| Characterization | The cunning cat vs. the cautious rat | The personalities of the animals are distinct and central to the story’s conflict and moral. |
| Dialogue | ‘Dear friend,’ said Mrs. Grab-and-Snatch… | The characters’ direct speech reveals their intentions, emotions, and strategies. |
| Foreshadowing | ‘Do I forget,’ the rat replied… | The rat’s cautious nature hints at the eventual betrayal of trust between the two characters. |
| Hyperbole | ‘The darling of my eyes’ | The cat exaggerates her affection for the rat to manipulate him. |
| Imagery | Inhabited a rotten pine; The noose did suddenly surprise her | Vivid descriptions create a clear picture of the setting and events. |
| Irony | The cat pleads for help from her prey | Situational irony is present as the predator becomes dependent on the prey for survival. |
| Metaphor | The snare as life’s traps | The snare symbolizes unexpected dangers or challenges in life. |
| Moral | Alliance from necessity is safe just while it has to be. | The explicit lesson at the end encapsulates the fable’s teaching about alliances and self-interest. |
| Onomatopoeia | Plump he did the weasel meet | The word “plump” imitates the sound of a sudden meeting, enhancing sensory engagement. |
| Parallelism | I’ll eat the weasel and the owl. | The similar structure of phrases emphasizes the cat’s promises to eliminate threats. |
| Personification | The man their home discover’d there | The animals behave as humans, with motives and dialogue, to engage readers and illustrate morals. |
| Rhyme | Grey Nibble-stitch drew nigh; as full of joy was he | The rhyming lines maintain a consistent and musical poetic flow. |
| Satire | The cat’s devout “prayers” | La Fontaine critiques hypocritical behavior by depicting the cat’s false piety. |
| Simile | As full of joy was he as of despair was she | Comparing the emotions of the rat and cat using “as” enhances the contrast between their feelings. |
| Symbolism | The rotten pine as their home | The decaying pine symbolizes instability and the precarious nature of alliances. |
| Theme | Trust, self-preservation, and betrayal | Central ideas explored through the interactions and outcomes of the characters’ actions. |
Themes: “The Cat And The Rat” by Jean de La Fontaine
1. Trust and Betrayal: Trust and betrayal are central themes in “The Cat and the Rat,” explored through the complex relationship between the two titular characters. The cat, caught in the noose, pleads for the rat’s help by promising eternal loyalty and protection: “Henceforth, eternally, / These powerful claws are yours.” However, the rat, aware of the cat’s predatory nature, wisely questions her sincerity: “To thankfulness, or even pity, / Can cats be ever bound by treaty?” This skepticism underscores the fragile nature of trust in alliances formed under necessity. By the end of the fable, the rat’s decision to keep his distance after freeing the cat reveals his insight into her true intentions, emphasizing the moral that alliances based on self-interest are inherently unreliable.
2. Self-Preservation: Self-preservation governs the actions of all the characters in “The Cat and the Rat.” From the moment the rat sees the cat trapped, he weighs the risks and rewards of intervening, ultimately acting out of necessity rather than altruism. The line “Necessity became his law, / And down he went, the rope to gnaw” highlights how survival instincts override moral considerations. Even the cat’s desperate plea reflects her desire to escape danger, not genuine friendship: “Do, pray, this cursed cord detach. / I’ve always known your skill, / And often your goodwill.” This theme underscores that survival often compels individuals to act in self-interest, revealing the pragmatic nature of human (or animal) behavior under duress.
3. Deception and Manipulation: Deception is a recurring element in “The Cat and the Rat,” particularly in the cat’s attempts to manipulate the rat. The cat employs flattery, calling the rat her “favourite” and claiming their alliance is divinely ordained: “‘Twas order’d by celestial cares, / No doubt; I thank the blessed skies.” Her use of religious imagery and exaggerated gratitude is a calculated strategy to exploit the rat’s abilities. The rat, however, recognizes this manipulation and refuses to be swayed by her words. This interplay of deceit and awareness illustrates the dangers of blindly trusting those who act out of desperation or self-interest, warning against the seductive power of persuasive rhetoric.
4. The Fragility of Alliances: The fable underscores the fragile and temporary nature of alliances formed out of necessity. The partnership between the cat and the rat in “The Cat and the Rat” is a pragmatic arrangement born of circumstance, rather than mutual respect or trust. The moral at the end explicitly states: “Alliance from necessity / Is safe just while it has to be.” This sentiment is evident when the rat, despite freeing the cat, immediately distances himself, anticipating potential betrayal. Their alliance dissolves the moment external pressure is removed, highlighting the transient and conditional nature of such relationships. Through this theme, La Fontaine critiques the instability of partnerships built on convenience rather than genuine solidarity.
Literary Theories and “The Cat And The Rat” by Jean de La Fontaine
1. Marxist Theory: Marxist literary theory explores class struggles, power dynamics, and exploitation, which are evident in “The Cat and the Rat.” The cat and the rat’s interaction reflects a hierarchical relationship, where the powerful predator (the cat) manipulates the weaker prey (the rat) to serve her interests. When the cat promises protection in return for help—”Henceforth, eternally, / These powerful claws are yours”—she is exploiting the rat’s abilities to escape her predicament. This dynamic mirrors how dominant classes often exploit the working classes under the guise of mutual benefit. However, the rat’s refusal to trust the cat—”I’m quite too wise to be your tool”—shows resistance to such exploitation, embodying the struggle of the oppressed to reclaim agency.
2. Feminist Theory: Feminist theory often examines power, agency, and manipulation in relationships, and this fable offers a subtle critique of gendered dynamics. The cat, referred to as “Mrs. Grab-and-Snatch,” uses charm and emotional appeals to manipulate the rat: “Do, pray, this cursed cord detach. / I’ve always known your skill, / And often your goodwill.” Her calculated plea for help, framed as a reliance on “special love and grace,” echoes societal expectations of women to use emotional intelligence or subterfuge to navigate patriarchal constraints. Meanwhile, the rat’s skepticism—”To thankfulness, or even pity, / Can cats be ever bound by treaty?”—highlights distrust in relationships where power imbalances prevail.
3. Psychoanalytic Theory: Psychoanalytic theory, grounded in Freudian and Jungian concepts, focuses on unconscious motivations and fears. The cat’s behavior reflects a survival-driven id, as her desperation to escape the snare overrides her usual predatory nature: “Now help me from this worst of snares, / In which I fell at unawares.” Her flattery and promises are defense mechanisms rooted in fear. Conversely, the rat’s wariness demonstrates a superego-like caution, resisting the temptation to act impulsively. The owl and the weasel, representing external dangers, heighten the rat’s internal conflict, forcing him to balance his instincts for self-preservation with the pragmatism required to navigate threats.
4. Poststructuralist Theory: Poststructuralism challenges binary oppositions and fixed meanings, making it a relevant lens for analyzing “The Cat and the Rat.” The poem plays with oppositional concepts, such as predator versus prey and trust versus betrayal, showing their fluidity under certain conditions. For instance, the cat and the rat temporarily reverse roles when the trapped predator must rely on her prey for survival: “Dear friend, I swear / To be your firm ally.” This inversion destabilizes the conventional predator-prey hierarchy. The moral—”Alliance from necessity / Is safe just while it has to be”—further questions the permanence of alliances and the stability of relationships, reflecting the poststructuralist view that meaning is contingent and context-dependent.
Critical Questions about “The Cat And The Rat” by Jean de La Fontaine
1. What does “The Cat and the Rat” reveal about the nature of alliances formed under necessity?
“The Cat and the Rat” reveals that alliances formed under necessity are inherently unstable and short-lived, as they are driven by self-interest rather than trust or shared values. The cat, trapped in the noose, appeals to the rat for assistance, promising loyalty and protection: “Henceforth, eternally, / These powerful claws are yours.” However, her offer is not motivated by genuine concern but by desperation to escape her predicament. The rat, wary of her true nature, recognizes this opportunism and questions the sincerity of her promises: “To thankfulness, or even pity, / Can cats be ever bound by treaty?” Their temporary partnership dissolves as soon as the cat is freed, with the rat maintaining his distance out of self-preservation. The fable’s moral—”Alliance from necessity / Is safe just while it has to be”—emphasizes the transient nature of such arrangements, teaching readers to be cautious about relying on alliances born of desperation.
2. How does La Fontaine portray power dynamics between the characters in “The Cat and the Rat”?
In “The Cat and the Rat,” La Fontaine explores shifting power dynamics that challenge traditional roles of predator and prey. The cat, typically the dominant figure, is rendered powerless when caught in the noose, forcing her to seek help from the rat. Her plea—”Dear friend, I swear / To be your firm ally”—shows how vulnerability can upend established hierarchies. The rat, on the other hand, assumes a position of power by choosing whether to assist his foe. Despite his initial dominance in this situation, the rat remains acutely aware of the cat’s predatory instincts, calling her a hypocrite and refusing to trust her intentions. The shifting power dynamics highlight how roles of dominance and submission are circumstantial and subject to change, especially when external forces, like the man setting the trap, disrupt the status quo.
3. What role does deception play in shaping the interactions between the characters in “The Cat and the Rat”?
Deception is central to the interactions in “The Cat and the Rat,” as both characters navigate their relationship through manipulation and mistrust. The cat employs deceit to convince the rat of her sincerity, invoking divine intervention to support her plea: “‘Twas order’d by celestial cares, / No doubt; I thank the blessed skies.” Her exaggerated flattery—calling the rat her “favourite” and “the darling of my eyes”—is a calculated strategy to exploit his abilities for her own survival. However, the rat is not fooled by her words, recognizing the disingenuous nature of her promises. His skepticism—”I’m quite too wise to be your tool”—underscores his awareness of her manipulation. Through this dynamic, La Fontaine illustrates how deception can be both a tool for survival and a barrier to genuine trust, reinforcing the moral that alliances built on false pretenses are inherently fragile.
4. How does “The Cat and the Rat” address the concept of moral responsibility in times of adversity?
“The Cat and the Rat” examines moral responsibility through the characters’ choices in a life-or-death situation. The rat’s decision to help the cat, despite their enmity, reflects his adherence to necessity over morality: “Necessity became his law, / And down he went, the rope to gnaw.” While his actions momentarily save the cat, he is quick to retreat and maintain his guard, recognizing that the cat’s promises of loyalty are unlikely to be upheld. The cat, for her part, shows no moral responsibility once freed, as her gratitude quickly turns to pursuit of her natural prey. The fable critiques the absence of genuine moral responsibility in relationships formed out of desperation, suggesting that self-preservation often takes precedence over ethical considerations. The moral—”Alliance from necessity / Is safe just while it has to be”—further underscores the transient and conditional nature of moral obligations in such circumstances.
Literary Works Similar to “The Cat And The Rat” by Jean de La Fontaine
| Literary Work and Author | Similarities to “The Cat and the Rat” | References from “The Cat and the Rat” |
| “The Tortoise and the Hare” by Aesop | Both are fables that use anthropomorphic animals to teach moral lessons. Themes of overconfidence and self-preservation are explored. | The cat’s desperation in the noose—”Now help me from this worst of snares”—parallels the hare’s realization of his overconfidence when he loses. |
| “Animal Farm” by George Orwell | Explores the fragility of alliances and the manipulation of trust for personal gain in a political allegory. | The cat’s promise—”These powerful claws are yours”—is reminiscent of Orwell’s characters forming alliances based on deceit and self-interest. |
| “The Fox and the Crow” by Aesop | A fable involving flattery and manipulation, where the fox deceives the crow to obtain cheese, similar to the cat deceiving the rat. | The cat’s flattery—”The darling of my eyes”—mirrors the fox’s use of praise to manipulate the crow into dropping the cheese. |
| “The Scorpion and the Frog” (Traditional Fable) | Examines trust and betrayal through the relationship between two creatures, where one’s nature ultimately leads to disaster. | The rat’s question—”Can cats be ever bound by treaty?”—echoes the frog’s realization of the scorpion’s unchangeable nature during their pact. |
Representative Quotations of “The Cat And The Rat” by Jean de La Fontaine
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| “Henceforth, eternally, / These powerful claws are yours.” | The cat promises eternal loyalty to the rat to persuade him to help her escape the snare. | Marxist Theory: Highlights the power imbalance and manipulation between classes (predator-prey dynamic). |
| “To thankfulness, or even pity, / Can cats be ever bound by treaty?” | The rat questions the sincerity of the cat’s promise, doubting her capacity for loyalty. | Psychoanalytic Theory: Reflects the rat’s superego-like caution against the cat’s manipulative id. |
| “Necessity became his law, / And down he went, the rope to gnaw.” | The rat, driven by necessity, decides to help the cat despite their enmity. | Existential Theory: Emphasizes human (or animal) actions dictated by circumstances and survival instincts. |
| “‘Twas order’d by celestial cares, / No doubt; I thank the blessed skies.” | The cat invokes divine intervention to justify her reliance on the rat for help. | Poststructuralist Theory: Questions the use of religious rhetoric to justify actions in morally ambiguous situations. |
| “Do, pray, this cursed cord detach. / I’ve always known your skill, / And often your goodwill.” | The cat flatters the rat, appealing to his ego and abilities to secure his assistance. | Feminist Theory: Explores the use of charm and persuasion by those in weaker positions to gain agency. |
| “The darling of my eyes.” | The cat exaggerates her affection for the rat to manipulate him into acting. | Deconstruction: Challenges the sincerity of language when used for manipulation. |
| “Alliance from necessity / Is safe just while it has to be.” | The moral of the fable, emphasizing the fleeting nature of alliances based on convenience. | Structuralist Theory: Relates to the broader structure of human relationships driven by utility. |
| “I’m quite too wise to be your tool.” | The rat asserts his awareness of the cat’s manipulation, refusing to act blindly in her favor. | Postcolonial Theory: Reflects resistance against exploitation by the dominant power. |
| “The noose did suddenly surprise her.” | The cat, accustomed to her dominance, is caught in a trap, shifting the power dynamic. | Psychoanalytic Theory: The noose symbolizes the unconscious forces disrupting the cat’s usual control. |
| “The new allies took hasty flight.” | After the cat is freed, both she and the rat immediately separate, signaling mutual mistrust. | Realism: Highlights the pragmatic nature of alliances formed for survival, devoid of emotional bonds. |
Suggested Readings: “The Cat And The Rat” by Jean de La Fontaine
- Jambeck, Karen K. “Textual Explorations: ‘The Fables’ of Marie de France and Beyond.” Le Cygne, no. 6, 2000, pp. 54–67. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44634948. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
- Lyons, John D. “Author and Reader in the Fables.” The French Review, vol. 49, no. 1, 1975, pp. 59–67. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/389687. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.
- GRAHAM, VICTOR E., editor. “Jean de La Fontaine.” Representative French Poetry (Second Edition), University of Toronto Press, 1965, pp. 20–28. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.3138/j.ctt1vgw9f8.11. Accessed 8 Jan. 2025.