Charlotte's Web Summary

Author: E.B. White

Themes: Friendship, Life and Death, The Power of Words

Plot Overview:

• Setting: The story is set on a farm, where a piglet named Wilbur is born and raised. He forms a deep bond with a young girl named Fern Arable, who saves him from being slaughtered for being the runt of the litter.

• Development: Wilbur is sold to Fern's uncle, Homer Zuckerman, where he befriends other animals in the barn, including a wise spider named Charlotte.

• Climax: When Wilbur learns that he is being fattened up for slaughter, Charlotte promises to save him. She weaves words like "Some Pig" into her web, attracting attention from the local community and leading them to regard Wilbur as an extraordinary animal.

• Resolution: Charlotte's plan succeeds, and Wilbur's life is spared. Sadly, Charlotte dies as spiders do after laying eggs, but Wilbur takes her egg sac back to the barn to protect her offspring.

Characters:

• Wilbur: The novel's protagonist, a naive and friendly pig who desires friendship and love.
• Charlotte A. Cavatica: A clever and caring spider who becomes Wilbur's best friend and saves his life.
• Fern Arable: The young girl who initially saves Wilbur from being killed because he is the runt of the litter.
• Templeton: A selfish but occasionally helpful rat who lives in the barn.

Significance:

"Charlotte's Web" is praised for its tender depiction of friendship and the natural world. It teaches children about compassion, the value of life, and the inevitability of death, all while offering hope and the message that true friendship lasts forever.