The Social Typology of Animal Characters in French Fables

The fable occupies a central position in French literary tradition as a didactic and allegorical genre. Through animal characters endowed with human traits, French fabulists construct a symbolic representation of social relations, moral values, and power structures. This article explores the social typology of animal characters in French fables, focusing primarily on the Classical period. Drawing on sociocritical and structural approaches, the study analyzes how animals function as metaphors for social classes, authority, moral behavior, and social injustice. The analysis demonstrates that animal figures such as the lion, the fox, and the lamb represent stable social types, allowing fables to convey moral criticism while avoiding direct confrontation with political power. The article highlights the enduring relevance of the fable as a literary form of social reflection.