Elwyn Brooks "E. B." White is an American novelist, journalist and essayist. He was born in New York in 1899. In 1927, White became a writer at The New Yorker and concurrently a contributing editor — a position that he held for the rest of his career. He wrote books for children, including Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web and The Trumpet of the Swan. Charlotte's Web (1952) is considered to be one of his the most famous novels. It was selected as the top children's novel in 2012 by readers of School Library Journal, not for the first time. Charlotte's Web is about the friendship between a spider named Charlotte and Wilbur – a pig. The story teaches a child reader three lessons – from Wilbur, from Charlotte, and from Templeton. They are trust from Wilbur, appearances from Templeton, and parental love from Charlotte. The action takes place at the Arable’s farm. The plot revolves around Wilbur and the efforts of the other animals to save a pig from being sent to the slaughter house. Wilbur receives help from two unlikely friends: a spider and a rat.
First of all, the book teaches friendship. From Wilbur, by reading this novel a child learns about trust and mutual help on one hand and vulnerability on the other hand. A child reader will identify himself with Wilbur and the situation he got in – a possibility and fear to be sent to the slaughter house. The child can observe that sometimes in life occur such situations when you do not know how to extricate yourself from them. You get a feeling of despair and hopelessness. Children are often at the mercy of adults, and like Wilbur, do not have agency to liberate them. But the young readers will also understand that it is important to hope for the better and that there are always the people around you can depend on: "Why did you do all this for me?" he asked. "I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you." "You have been my friend," replied Charlotte. "That’s in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I like you." (White 164) They say that a friend in need is a friend indeed and in Charlotte a child reader will see a real friend that is ready to help and even sacrifice the life without any advantage or interest.
There is no doubt that Charlotte's Web teaches kids how to be thankful on the Wilbur’s example. The pig feels obliged to take care of Charlotte’s egg sack: "All winter Wilbur watched over Charlotte’s egg sack as though he were guarding his own children. He had scooped out a place in the manure for the sac, next to the board fence. On very cold nights he lay so that his breath would warm it. For Wilbur, nothing in life was so important as this small round object – nothing else mattered. Patiently he awaited the end of winter and the coming of little spiders." (White 176) Wilbur learned to appreciate friendship and understood that it is important to value every moment of your life that you spend with your close friends: "Wilbur never forgot Charlotte. Although he loved her children and grandchildren dearly, none of the new spiders ever quite took her place in his heart. She was in a class by herself. It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend" (White 184)
On the other hand, the book teaches that people are not always what they first appear to be. Templeton teaches children not to judge others based on appearance only. Audience loves a side-kick and Templeton serves as a great example of the reluctant figure that helps in order to satisfy his needs. In one of the episodes, when Charlotte asked Templeton to go to the dump to look for new words that she can write in her web, Templeton responds: "Let him die [] I should worry." (White 90) He is completely selfish and cares not a bit for Wilbur's well-being; sadly, he has no idea about friendship. He is persuaded to find words only with the promise of food. The sheep reminded him that if Wilbur dies, there will be no slops for him to steal. Children will instantly know that Templeton appears selfish on the outside, but they will eventually warm up to him and realize that he is a good natured-rat on the inside. Even Wilbur prejudged Charlotte: "[] when I first met you I thought you were cruel and bloodthirsty!" (White 164) Later he changes his mind: "[] you have saved me, Charlotte, and I would gladly give my life for you – I really would." (White 164)
It is worth mentioning, that the children rejoice while reading the novel – they know that all the messages that appeared in the web are not miracles. They are satisfied that E.B. White reveals the secret to them and lets them in on the undercover world of the farm. A child reader always enjoys the stories where they are aware of the things that the adult characters in the story do not know. The adults are not knowledgeable in the fact that the words on the web were written by Charlotte – a clever, loving mother spider. They also do not know that there is a large plan to save the life of Wilbur.
In some way, the book teaches children to be a parent. A child reader will identify in Charlotte the quintessential mother figure, and they will instantly see in her self-sacrifice the model of what a mother ought to do to protect those she loves. The readers will be disappointed by the fact that Charlotte dies in the end, and they will feel empathy for Wilbur, who cares for her eggs to see all the babies leave. They will feel happiness when Wilbur befriends and becomes caregiver for three spider babies: Joy, Aranea and Nellie
In my opinion, the best White’s book teaches is to live. It means to live life full, well and free, but not just to live day-to-day. The novel gives a piece of advice for those children who feel lonely or are bored. White carries out an important message – you should do your best and try to avoid loneliness and boredom. The best way to do that is to make new friends and to find something you can devote your entire life to. At the beginning of the story Wilbur says: "I’m less than two months old and I’m tired of living." (White 16) But later he lends an ear to Charlotte’s words and understands the value of life: "All these sights and sounds and smells will be yours to enjoy, Wilbur – this lovely world, these precious days" (White 164)
Works cited
White, E. B., and William Garth, Charlotte’s Web. Harper Collins: New York, NY, 2012. Print.
