“The Cockerel, The Cat, And The Young Mouse” by Jean de La Fontaine: A Critical Analysis

Introduction: “The Cockerel, The Cat, And The Young Mouse” by Jean de La Fontaine

“The Cockerel, The Cat, And The Young Mouse” by Jean de La Fontaine first appeared in 1668 as part of his celebrated collection Fables. This particular fable, like many others by La Fontaine, is infused with moral teachings conveyed through the anthropomorphic tales of animals. Its main themes revolve around the dangers of deception, the wisdom of caution, and the importance of heeding the advice of elders. The youthful mouse, eager to explore the world, is awestruck by two contrasting figures: a boisterous, harmless cockerel and a cunning, seemingly benign cat. Through the mouse’s naive misjudgments and his mother’s sage correction, La Fontaine illustrates the peril of taking appearances at face value, encapsulated in the memorable lesson: “It is by looks that men deceive.” The fable’s vivid imagery, engaging characters, and relatable moral have made it a staple in educational contexts. Phrases like “Her appetite to treat” and “So far the other is from that, we yet may eat his dainty meat” highlight the elegance of La Fontaine’s verse, ensuring its timeless appeal in classrooms and literary studies alike.

Text: “The Cockerel, The Cat, And The Young Mouse” by Jean de La Fontaine

A youthful mouse, not up to trap,
Had almost met a sad mishap.
The story hear him thus relate,
With great importance, to his mother: –
‘I pass’d the mountain bounds of this estate,
And off was trotting on another,
Like some young rat with nought to do
But see things wonderful and new,
When two strange creatures came in view.
The one was mild, benign, and gracious;
The other, turbulent, rapacious,
With voice terrific, shrill, and rough,
And on his head a bit of stuff
That look’d like raw and bloody meat,
Raised up a sort of arms, and beat
The air, as if he meant to fly,
And bore his plumy tail on high.’

A cock, that just began to crow,
As if some nondescript,
From far New Holland shipp’d,
Was what our mousling pictured so.
‘He beat his arms,’ said he, ‘and raised his voice,
And made so terrible a noise,
That I, who, thanks to Heaven, may justly boast
Myself as bold as any mouse,
Scud off, (his voice would even scare a ghost!)
And cursed himself and all his house;
For, but for him, I should have staid,
And doubtless an acquaintance made
With her who seem’d so mild and good.
Like us, in velvet cloak and hood,
She wears a tail that’s full of grace,
A very sweet and humble face, –
No mouse more kindness could desire, –
And yet her eye is full of fire.
I do believe the lovely creature
A friend of rats and mice by nature.
Her ears, though, like herself, they’re bigger,
Are just like ours in form and figure.
To her I was approaching, when,
Aloft on what appear’d his den,
The other scream’d, – and off I fled.’
‘My son,’ his cautious mother said,
‘That sweet one was the cat,
The mortal foe of mouse and rat,
Who seeks by smooth deceit,
Her appetite to treat.
So far the other is from that,
We yet may eat
His dainty meat;
Whereas the cruel cat,
Whene’er she can, devours
No other meat than ours.’

Remember while you live,
It is by looks that men deceive.

Annotations: “The Cockerel, The Cat, And The Young Mouse” by Jean de La Fontaine

Line/Excerpt	Annotation
A youthful mouse, not up to trap,	Introduces the main character, a naive and inexperienced young mouse, setting the stage for the fable.
Had almost met a sad mishap.	Foreshadows danger, highlighting the mouse’s near brush with peril due to his ignorance.
The story hear him thus relate,	The mouse recounts his adventure, emphasizing the importance of narration and reflection in fables.
With great importance, to his mother:	Introduces the mouse’s mother as a figure of wisdom who will later correct his misconceptions.
‘I pass’d the mountain bounds of this estate,	Indicates the mouse’s adventurous nature and curiosity, central to the unfolding events.
And off was trotting on another,	The mouse’s departure symbolizes youthful exploration and risk-taking.
Like some young rat with nought to do But see things wonderful and new,	Highlights the mouse’s naive enthusiasm for the unknown.
When two strange creatures came in view.	Sets up the encounter with the cock and the cat, contrasting appearances with reality.
The one was mild, benign, and gracious;	Describes the cat’s deceptive appearance, aligning with the theme of hidden danger.
The other, turbulent, rapacious,	Depicts the cock as loud and intimidating, though ultimately harmless.
With voice terrific, shrill, and rough,	Emphasizes the cock’s alarming nature through auditory imagery.
And on his head a bit of stuff	Refers to the cock’s comb, which seems strange and unfamiliar to the mouse.
That look’d like raw and bloody meat,	Vivid imagery portraying the comb’s appearance, adding to the mouse’s confusion.
Raised up a sort of arms, and beat The air, as if he meant to fly,	Describes the cock’s flapping wings, interpreted as aggressive by the mouse.
And bore his plumy tail on high.’	Depicts the cock’s proud posture, adding to his intimidating presence.
A cock, that just began to crow,	Reveals the true identity of the cock, misunderstood by the mouse.
‘He beat his arms,’ said he, ‘and raised his voice,	Highlights the mouse’s perception of the cock’s harmless behavior as threatening.
And made so terrible a noise,	Reinforces the mouse’s fear, illustrating how perception can distort reality.
That I, who, thanks to Heaven, may justly boast Myself as bold as any mouse,	The mouse’s claim of bravery contrasts with his actions, showing self-delusion.
Scud off, (his voice would even scare a ghost!)	Humorously exaggerates the cock’s impact, adding levity to the narrative.
And cursed himself and all his house;	The mouse projects blame on the cock, showcasing his immaturity and lack of understanding.
For, but for him, I should have staid,	Reveals the mouse’s naïve desire to approach the cat, misunderstanding her nature.
And doubtless an acquaintance made With her who seem’d so mild and good.	Highlights the mouse’s misjudgment of the cat’s deceptive appearance.
Like us, in velvet cloak and hood,	Notes the cat’s soft fur, a misleading marker of gentleness.
She wears a tail that’s full of grace,	Further details the cat’s elegance, reinforcing the theme of deceptive beauty.
A very sweet and humble face,	The cat’s appearance contrasts sharply with her predatory instincts.
No mouse more kindness could desire,	The mouse’s misplaced trust exemplifies the dangers of superficial judgment.
And yet her eye is full of fire.	Subtly hints at the cat’s predatory nature, which the mouse fails to see.
I do believe the lovely creature A friend of rats and mice by nature.	The mouse’s conclusion showcases his naivety and lack of worldly experience.
Her ears, though, like herself, they’re bigger,	Highlights the cat’s similarity to the mouse in appearance, which furthers the deception.
To her I was approaching, when,	Marks the pivotal moment where the mouse nearly falls victim to his misjudgment.
Aloft on what appear’d his den,	Refers to the cock’s perch, creating a humorous and dramatic escape for the mouse.
The other scream’d, – and off I fled.’	The cock inadvertently saves the mouse, emphasizing the irony of perception.
‘My son,’ his cautious mother said,	Introduces the mother’s wise perspective, a hallmark of fables.
‘That sweet one was the cat,	Reveals the truth about the cat, correcting the mouse’s misunderstanding.
The mortal foe of mouse and rat,	Clarifies the danger posed by the cat, aligning with the fable’s moral.
Who seeks by smooth deceit, Her appetite to treat.	Highlights the cat’s cunning and predatory nature.
So far the other is from that, We yet may eat His dainty meat;	Contrasts the cock’s harmlessness with the cat’s menace.
Whereas the cruel cat, Whene’er she can, devours No other meat than ours.’	Emphasizes the moral by illustrating the cat’s predatory intent.
Remember while you live, It is by looks that men deceive.	The central moral, cautioning against superficial judgments and the dangers of deception.

Literary And Poetic Devices: “The Cockerel, The Cat, And The Young Mouse” by Jean de La Fontaine

Device	Example	Explanation
Alliteration	“No mouse more kindness could desire”	The repetition of the consonant sound “m” emphasizes the cat’s deceptive demeanor.
Anthropomorphism	“She wears a tail that’s full of grace, a very sweet and humble face”	Animals are given human traits, such as grace and humility, to convey the story’s moral.
Assonance	“A youthful mouse, not up to trap”	The repetition of the vowel sound “u” creates a melodic effect.
Cautionary Tale	The entire fable serves as a warning.	The story teaches the reader to be cautious of appearances and heed advice from elders.
Contrast	“The one was mild, benign, and gracious; The other, turbulent, rapacious”	Contrasts the cat’s deceptive calmness with the cock’s loud but harmless demeanor, emphasizing the theme.
Dialogue	The mouse recounts his tale to his mother.	Used to develop the narrative and deliver the moral through a conversation between characters.
Exaggeration	“His voice would even scare a ghost!”	Hyperbolic description adds humor and highlights the mouse’s fear of the cock.
Foreshadowing	“Had almost met a sad mishap.”	Indicates early on that the mouse’s naivety will lead to danger.
Humor	“From far New Holland shipped”	The absurd description of the cock adds a humorous element to the narrative.
Imagery	“And on his head a bit of stuff that looked like raw and bloody meat”	Vivid visual imagery helps the reader picture the cock and understand the mouse’s fear.
Irony	“Her ears, though, like herself, they’re bigger, are just like ours in form and figure.”	The mouse sees similarities with the cat and assumes safety, which is ironic given the cat’s true intentions.
Juxtaposition	The contrasting behaviors of the cock and the cat.	Highlights the theme of misjudgment by placing the two animals’ traits side by side.
Metaphor	“Velvet cloak and hood”	The cat’s fur is metaphorically described to emphasize its deceptive softness.
Moral	“It is by looks that men deceive.”	The explicit lesson encapsulates the fable’s purpose of warning against superficial judgments.
Onomatopoeia	“Raised his voice, and made so terrible a noise”	The word “noise” evokes the harsh sounds of the cock’s crowing.
Personification	“With voice terrific, shrill, and rough”	The cock and cat are attributed with human characteristics, such as voice and demeanor.
Repetition	“Sweet and humble face”	The repetitive emphasis on the cat’s deceptive traits reinforces the theme of misjudgment.
Rhyme Scheme	“The one was mild, benign, and gracious; The other, turbulent, rapacious.”	The poem’s rhyming couplets contribute to its rhythm and accessibility.
Satire	The mouse’s exaggerated fear of the cock but naivety toward the cat.	Satirizes human tendencies to misjudge danger and trust appearances.
Symbolism	The cat symbolizes deception, and the cock symbolizes misunderstood innocence.	Each animal represents broader human traits, such as guile and honesty, to deliver the fable’s universal moral.

Themes: “The Cockerel, The Cat, And The Young Mouse” by Jean de La Fontaine

1. The Danger of Deception: One of the central themes of “The Cockerel, The Cat, And The Young Mouse” is the peril of being deceived by appearances. The young mouse views the cat as “mild, benign, and gracious,” with “a very sweet and humble face,” completely unaware of its predatory nature. The cat’s outward charm and graceful demeanor mask its true intent to harm the mouse, serving as a vivid metaphor for how individuals can be misled by external appearances. The mother mouse’s warning—“It is by looks that men deceive”—drives home the moral, cautioning against trusting surface impressions without deeper understanding. This theme reflects La Fontaine’s broader critique of superficial judgments in human society.

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2. Wisdom Through Experience: The poem emphasizes the value of experience and the guidance of elders. The young mouse, eager to explore and “see things wonderful and new,” misinterprets the behaviors of both the cock and the cat. While he views the harmless cock as threatening and the dangerous cat as friendly, it is only through his mother’s wisdom that he learns the truth. Her insight—rooted in experience—saves him from future harm. This theme reinforces the importance of learning from those who have lived longer and navigated similar challenges, making the fable a didactic tool for younger audiences.

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3. Youthful Naivety and Misjudgment: The story portrays the mouse’s youthful naivety as a key driver of the plot. His adventurous spirit leads him beyond the familiar boundaries of his home, where his lack of understanding causes him to misjudge the animals he encounters. He describes the cock as “turbulent, rapacious, with voice terrific,” exaggerating its harmless crowing into something terrifying. Conversely, the cat’s elegance and calm demeanor convince him she is a “friend of rats and mice by nature.” This stark contrast between reality and perception underscores the theme of youthful misjudgment, illustrating how inexperience often leads to flawed conclusions.

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4. Appearances Versus Reality: A recurring theme in La Fontaine’s fables, the tension between appearances and reality is central to this poem. The young mouse assumes that the cat, with its “velvet cloak and hood,” is kind, while he views the cock’s noisy and boisterous behavior as dangerous. In truth, the cat is a predator, and the cock is harmless. This reversal of expectations illustrates how reality often contradicts outward appearances. By highlighting this theme, La Fontaine teaches the reader to question assumptions and look beyond the surface—a lesson reinforced by the mother’s closing advice about the deceptiveness of looks.

Literary Theories and “The Cockerel, The Cat, And The Young Mouse” by Jean de La Fontaine

Literary Theory	Application to the Poem	References from the Poem
Moral Criticism	This theory focuses on the ethical lessons within literary works. The poem’s central message—“It is by looks that men deceive”—emphasizes the moral of avoiding superficial judgment.	The mother’s warning to her son serves as the didactic core: “That sweet one was the cat… who seeks by smooth deceit.”
Psychoanalytic Theory	This theory examines unconscious motives and fears. The mouse’s fear of the cock and misplaced trust in the cat reveal psychological tendencies to misinterpret threats and desires.	The mouse describes the cock’s crow as “terrific, shrill, and rough,” while finding the cat’s appearance “sweet and humble.”
Structuralism	Structuralist theory explores the relationships between narrative elements and recurring patterns. The juxtaposition of the cock and the cat reflects a binary opposition of harmlessness vs. danger.	“The one was mild, benign, and gracious; The other, turbulent, rapacious.” The contrast enhances the thematic tension.
Reader-Response Theory	This theory emphasizes the reader’s interpretation and engagement. The fable invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with deception and caution, making the moral universally relatable.	The moral—“Remember while you live, it is by looks that men deceive”— encourages personal introspection and application.

Critical Questions about “The Cockerel, The Cat, And The Young Mouse” by Jean de La Fontaine

Literary Works Similar to “The Cockerel, The Cat, And The Young Mouse” by Jean de La Fontaine

• “The Spider and the Fly” by Mary Howitt
  • Similarity: Both poems caution against deception and emphasize the dangers of trusting appearances, as seen in the spider’s manipulation of the fly.
• “The Owl and the Pussy-cat” by Edward Lear
  • Similarity: While more whimsical, this poem shares anthropomorphic characters and highlights interactions between animals to deliver subtle commentary on behavior.
• “The Tyger” by William Blake
  • Similarity: Explores themes of perception and inherent nature, much like the deceptive outward appearances of the cat in La Fontaine’s poem.
• “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe
  • Similarity: Uses animal symbolism to delve into deeper moral and existential themes, paralleling La Fontaine’s use of animals as allegorical figures.
• “The Walrus and the Carpenter” by Lewis Carroll
  • Similarity: Centers on the cunning nature of its characters and their interactions with innocent beings, mirroring the cat’s deceitful portrayal in La Fontaine’s fable.

Representative Quotations of “The Cockerel, The Cat, And The Young Mouse” by Jean de La Fontaine

Quotation	Context	Theoretical Perspective
“A youthful mouse, not up to trap, Had almost met a sad mishap.”	Introduces the young mouse’s inexperience and foreshadows the moral lesson about danger and deception.	Psychoanalytic Theory: Highlights the mouse’s unconscious naivety and desire for exploration.
“The one was mild, benign, and gracious; The other, turbulent, rapacious.”	Describes the contrasting appearances of the cat and the cock, setting up the theme of misjudgment.	Structuralism: Demonstrates binary opposition (appearance vs. reality).
“With voice terrific, shrill, and rough, And on his head a bit of stuff.”	The mouse describes the cock’s alarming appearance and voice, revealing his fear.	Reader-Response Theory: Allows readers to interpret the mouse’s exaggerated perception and reflect on their own fears.
“She wears a tail that’s full of grace, A very sweet and humble face.”	The young mouse admires the deceptive beauty of the cat, mistaking it for friendliness.	Moral Criticism: Warns against trusting appearances without understanding true intentions.
“To her I was approaching, when, Aloft on what appear’d his den, The other scream’d.”	The mouse is saved from danger by the cock’s crowing, which he initially misunderstood as threatening.	Irony Theory: The cock, feared by the mouse, becomes his inadvertent protector.
“That sweet one was the cat, The mortal foe of mouse and rat.”	The mother reveals the cat’s true nature, delivering the key lesson about deception.	Moral Criticism: Reinforces the ethical importance of critical judgment and caution.
“Her appetite to treat, So far the other is from that, We yet may eat his dainty meat.”	Contrasts the harmless cock, whose noise scares but does not harm, with the cat’s predatory instincts.	Structuralism: Highlights the thematic contrast between danger (cat) and safety (cock).
“Remember while you live, It is by looks that men deceive.”	The closing moral of the poem, emphasizing the need to look beyond appearances.	Didacticism: Explicitly teaches the reader a life lesson, aligning with fable traditions.
“Like us, in velvet cloak and hood, She wears a tail that’s full of grace.”	The mouse draws parallels between himself and the cat, showing how appearances can mislead.	Psychoanalytic Theory: Explores projection and the desire to see similarity as a basis for trust.
“For, but for him, I should have staid, And doubtless an acquaintance made.”	The mouse regrets fleeing from the cock, unaware of the danger he avoided with the cat.	Irony Theory: Reveals the gap between the mouse’s understanding and reality, emphasizing dramatic irony.

Suggested Readings: “The Cockerel, The Cat, And The Young Mouse” by Jean de La Fontaine

1. de La Fontaine, Jean. Selected Fables: A Dual-Language Book. Courier Corporation, 2013.
2.  Shapiro, Norman R., et al. “BOOK VI.” The Complete Fables of Jean de La Fontaine, University of Illinois Press, 2007, pp. 131–52. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/j.ctt1xcm7h.11. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.
3. McGowan, Margaret M. “Moral Intention in the Fables of La Fontaine.” Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, vol. 29, 1966, pp. 264–81. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/750719. Accessed 10 Jan. 2025.