Prologue, The Failure of Syntax, Fables 1 - 2 Summary

This collection of contemporary fables builds upon the long history and traditions of other such narratives as it explores and comments upon various aspects of human behavior. As each fable dramatizes important moral questions the collection as a whole explores issues related to the importance of self-responsibility, and of individuality and identity.

In the Prologue, the author introduces the collection by commenting on how challenged he felt by the frequent, and varied, attempts by editors and publishers to revise his fables, and how he realized his feelings arose from a strong sense of protectiveness towards his characters. He describes the process by which the characters and their fables became known to him, his insight into why the fables are important (see "Quotes", p. 2-3), and the "illusions aim to shatter.

In...