ENG 231: Children's Literature
JC Clapp, North Seattle Community College
Discussion Questions for Charlotte's Web
What is a runt? Explore the extended meanings of this term. How does this portray the differences between parents and children? Are their values different? Explain.
How is Wilbur's friendship with Fern similar to his friendship with Charlotte? How is it different? How is the theme of friendship handled in this book? How is the theme of friendship geared specifically towards children? What will children relate to? How are Fern's fears very like Wilbur's? Are they also similar to Hansel's and Gretel's? Do Fern's fears extend beyond the immediate problem? Explore the possibilities.
Is it true that there are no villains in Charlotte's Web? Discuss this idea. Is there a battle between good and evil? Are there antagonists and protagonists? If so, who are they? If not, how does the conflict develop in the story without them?
Describe the character of Templeton? How does what Templeton does differ from Charlotte's work? from the other animals? Explore the nature of "ratness." Is there any good in Templeton? How does his character function in the book? Discuss the importance of Wilbur's failure to be able to spin a web? Connect this to your previous discussions of Templeton and being a runt. In this context, what does "versatility" mean (116-17)? Its value?
The threat of death is a very serious part of everyone's life. Is it surprising to find that threat central to such a charming story as this? How is the theme of death handled in this book? Is it in a way that children’s will be able to understand? Look closely at the death of Charlotte. What is the dynamic connection between Charlotte's magnum opus, her death, and the everyone's role? "Is it a plaything?" "Plaything? I should say not. It is my egg sac, my magnum opus."
Why does Charlotte's plan succeed? Why does everyone except Edith (and Dr. Dorian) dismiss the spider's contribution to the "miracle?" What is significant about the order of the "messages" in the web?
Children's literature can best be understood by examining important episodes. One such episode is in Chapter 5 (39-42) in which the characters discuss the importance of food. Discuss how food is a metaphor in the book.
In what way does White adapt the animals' fictional personalities to the way those animals act in real life? How does White make his personified animals so realistic and believable? With which character are children most likely to identify? In what ways does using the genre of fantasy allow White to tackle certain topics that may not have been able to be discussed in a work of realism?
What is the meaning of the title of the book? Think of the implication when we say we are reading Charlotte's Web. Are we getting trapped the way Charlotte's victims are trapped? What about the power of words? Explore the significance of the last paragraph of the book. "Wilbur never forgot Charlotte. . . . She was in a class by herself. It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both."