Analysis of the Story Charlottes Web - Essay Example

Life consists of all kinds of people, there are those who give you a helping hand in the time of trouble and do notexpect anything in return, whereas there are some people who help you throughout out of selfish motives. Luckily Wilbur, the little pig in E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web, came across both kinds of creatures which saved him from the ultimate reality; death. Charlotte, the spider, is the embodiment of that kind of person who gives charity and love without expecting in return, whereas Templeton, the rat, represents the other part in the story. It is true that in life the presence of both of these characters is important because both contribute a greater good of all to the world. The story describes Charlotte as a simple gray spider who tries to save Wilbur from being the food of the humans by planning a scheme in his favor. The story is an interesting example of friendship between two creatures different in size, shape, and nature. It explains that in life we need a company in order to survive, no matter if the friendship is for selfless or selfish reasons. Charlotte’s Web is a story elaborating how one can achieve anything if only they have the willpower and a string determination. It helps children understand the importance of will and teaches them a lesson and makes this book a perfect one to be read by all the children. Despite charlotte’s size she proves to be very helping for Wilbur, the pig, by saving its life with the power of her web. The spider’s web to an individual’s eyes seems weak and fragile but the story reveals that even if something seems weak and dainty doesn’t mean it is one. "A spiders web is stronger than it looks. Although it is made of thin, delicate strands, the web is not easily broken. However, a web gets torn every day by the insects that kick around in it, and a spider must rebuild it when it gets full of holes" (White et al 55). Secondly, to charlotte her web is like a paper, a medium through which she communicates. She uses her web to convey the messages to the people as she believes “People believe almost anything they see in print" (White et al 89). So, no matter how small a creature is if it knows its potential than nothing can stop it from using its power to make a mark. If Charlotte wouldn’t have been there then Wilbur could have died, who was triple her size. There is not much relation between fences and freedom for Wilbur, it seems that he has grown fond of being pampered by his owners. He is doubtful if he would like freedom, as at one occasion he says regarding freedom: "I like it, said Wilbur. That is, I guess I like it" (White et al 17). He seems to not mind being kept in his pigpen as even in his pigpen he does a lot of dancing and enjoys his life there. The narrator of the story is a third person, which gives the story multiple dimensions, as the narrator has control over the thoughts of each and every character in the story. Therefore, the narrator does not miss out the emotions felt by any character dead or alive. When charlotte dies in the end there is no one with her even her friend Wilbur: "No one was with her when she died" (White et al 171). But the narrator draws an atmosphere which takes the readers into the scene as if they are with Charlotte when she is dying. However, the tone used by the narrator is very straight forward and gives a clear description about each character. At some places the tone turns pretty objective, for example the narrator describes the rain in the following manner: "The next day was rainy and dark. Rain fell on the roof of the barn and dripped steadily from the eaves. Rain fell in the barnyard and ran in crooked courses down into the lane where thistles and pigweed grew. Rain spattered against Mrs. Zuckermans kitchen windows and came gushing out of the downspouts. Rain fell on the backs of the sheep as they grazed in the meadow. When the sheep tired of standing in the rain, they walked slowly up the lane into the fold." (White et al, 25). Moreover, the tone becomes quite sympathetic where the scene becomes sad, for example on the occasion of Charlotte’s death the narrator narrates: "The Fair Grounds were soon deserted. The sheds and buildings were empty and forlorn. The infield was littered with bottles and trash. Nobody, of the hundreds of people that had visited the Fair, knew that a grey spider had played the most important part of all. No one was with her when she died." (White et al 171) The writing style is quite detailed and descriptive at every turn in the story. For example, the author gives every single detail about the Zukerman barn in the story, and almost creates an imaginary visual in front of the readers. The intensity of the writing style blows life into the story and the children are stimulated to put all their five sense to work. For example, the writer introduces tons of smells to the readers while giving a detailed description of the barn: "It smelled of hay and it smelled of manure. It smelled of the perspiration of tired horses and the wonderful sweet breath of patient cows. It often had a sort of peaceful smell—as though nothing bad could happen ever again in the world. It smelled of grain and harness dressing and of axle grease and of rubber boots and of new rope. And whenever the cat was given a fish-head to eat, the barn would smell of fish." (White et al 13) The book is the combination of bittersweet emotions. It consist of happy events as well as sad events till the end. The most pain striking ending is where Charlotte dies alone but at the same time she gives birth to her babies who live on and carry her legacy with them. The book is especially good for the first time readers who have taken a stride from short stories to real novel. The book truly captures the spirit of a caring and nourishing friendship, as it sheds light upon such relationship in the form of Charlotte, the spider, whose selfless nature saves the life of the poor pig, Wilbur. Wilbur, loves to be at the farm with its farm buddies, it even dances with joy without caring much about being in captivity. The book also discusses the character of Templeton, the rat, even though the rat helps Wilbur for selfish reasons still he is the reason for Wilbur survival. The story describes the nature of life in which everyone is interdependent, and so the story successfully communicates real life lessons to its readers in the form of Children’s book. Works Cited White, E. B., Garth Williams, and Edith Goodkind Rosenwald. Charlottes web. New York: Harper, 1952. Print. Read More