|
|
|
|
Majority Complete |
|
None |
|
Major Characters |
|
Partial |
|
Author: |
E.B. White | |
|
Source Material: Book | |
|
Genre: |
Children's story | |
|
Setting: |
Farmland, USA | |
|
Period: |
Approximately 1940's. | |
|
Analysis by: |
Katharine E. Monahan Huntley |
All Illustrating for "Charlotte's Web"
Comments:
"Charlotte's Web" is a good example of a Timelock story. The Obstacle Character's (Charlotte) Throughline of Psychology is developed very well, and is interesting in that the act of manipulation is examined in a positive light. The Subjective Story Throughline is one in which the Main Character (Wilbur) and Obstacle Character are driven to work together to achieve the Goal.
Extensive quotations support Story Points illustrations. There is also an extensive Cast List with character descriptions, and several assigned characteristics.
Brief Synopsis:
Harper & Row dust jacket description: It is the story of the magic of childhood on the farm, with Charlotte the spider, Wilbur the pig, and Fern, the little girl who understood their language.
Name: Wilbur
ID: Main Character
Gender: Male
Description:
sweet-natured; fun-loving
Role: Fern's runt,
Zuckerman's pig, Charlotte's friend|
Characteristics:
Motivation: Temptation; Uncontrolled
Methodology: Reaction
Name: Charlotte
ID: Impact Character
Gender: Female
Description:
Wilbur's best friend and savior; beautiful and intelligent. "It's not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both" (White, 1952, p. 184).
Role: Spider
Characteristics:
Motivation: Conscience; Control
Methodology: Proaction
Name: Avery Arable
Gender: Male
Description:
Age 10; High-spirited; "all boy"
Role: Fern's brother
Characteristics:
Motivation: Oppose
Name: Dr. Dorian
Gender: Male
Description:
Kindly family friend; wise
Role: Arable's family doctor
Characteristics:
Motivation: Logic
Methodology: Inaction
Name: Fern Arable
Gender: Female
Description:
8 years old; sweet-natured with a strong sense of justice
Role: Wilbur's special
friend
Characteristics:
Motivation: Support
Purpose: Inequity
Name: Goose
Gender: Female
Description:
Excitable; gossipy; friendly
Role: Barnyard Animal
Name: Henry Fussy
Gender: Male
Description:
Nice boy; Henry eventually takes the place of Wilbur for Fern's feelings of affection.
Role: Fern's future beau
Name: Lurvy
Gender: Male
Description:
Handy; gullible
Role: The Zuckermans' hired hand
Name: Mr. Arable
Gender: Male
Description:
Hard working; good husband and father
Role: Fern's father
Characteristics:
Purpose: Equity
Name: Mr. Zuckerman
Gender: Male
Description:
Successful farmer; quite pleased with himself and his famous pig
Role: Fern's uncle and Wilbur's owner
Name: Mrs. Arable
Gender: Female
Description:
Concerned and loving mother
Role: Fern's mother
Characteristics:
Motivation: Feeling
Methodology: Protection
Name: Mrs. Zuckerman
Gender: Female
Description:
Good farmer's wife; intelligent
Role: Zuckerman's wife
Name: Old Sheep
Gender: Male
Description:
Wise to the ways of the barnyard
Role: Barnyard Animal
Name: Templeton
Gender: Male
Description:
If it's in his own interest, Templeton will help the Charlotte and Wilbur, otherwise, "The rat had no morals, no conscience, no scruples, no consideration, no decency, no milk of rodent kindness, no compunction, no higher feeling, no friendliness, no anything" (White, 1952, p.46).
Role: Rat
Nature as it relates to Actual Dilemma:
Wilbur realizes he must control his actions and emotions, for example, taking care of the children in Charlotte's egg sac.
Essence as it relates to Negative Feel:
The focus of the story is Wilbur and his friends avoiding his untimely end, which is rapidly approaching.
Tendency as it relates to Unwilling:
Although Wilbur does not wish to die, he does not possess the knowledge or necessary skills to save his own life.
Reach as it relates to Male:
Men will empathize with Wilbur, a male whose time to live is running out.
Main Character Resolve as it relates to Change:
Instead of acting frenzied (as usual) when faced with a crisis, as Charlotte's health declines, Wilbur takes charge and carries out her last wishes:
Wilbur was in a panic. He raced round and round the pen. Suddenly he had an idea-he thought of the egg sac and the five hundred and fourteen little spiders that would hatch in the spring. If Charlotte herself was unable to go home to the barn, at least he must take her children along. (White, 1952, p. 166)
Impact Character Resolve as it relates to Steadfast:
Main Character Growth as it relates to Stop:
Wilbur stops acting like a helpless piglet and grows up.
Main Character Approach as it relates to Do-er:
Wilbur tries to make friends to ease his loneliness on Zuckerman's farm; when Charlotte informs him he is not capable of spinning a web, he still makes an attempt to perform this feat; and so forth.
Main Character Problem-Solving Style as it relates to Logical:
Wilbur evaluates problems in terms of cause and effect; for example, when he escapes his pen, it causes an uproar.
Story Driver as it relates to Decision:
Mr. Arable decides to spare the runt's life and allow Fern to raise Wilbur; after Charlotte decides to help her best friend stay alive she implements a plan of action; Wilbur decides to take Charlotte's egg sac back to the farm; and so forth.
Story Limit as it relates to Timelock:
Mr. Zuckerman must decide that Wilbur is too valuable to live before he is to be butchered next winter, "'almost all young pigs get murdered by the farmer as soon as the real cold weather sets in. There's a regular conspiracy around here to kill you at Christmastime'" (White, 1952, p. 49).
Story Outcome as it relates to Success:
Wilbur is allowed to live out his life; Mr. Zuckerman enjoys his proudest moment at the fair when Wilbur receives a medal of honor; Fern grows up and acquires a beau; Mrs. Arable stops worrying about Fern spending so much time with farm animals; Charlotte's children are born safely; and so forth.
Story Judgment as it relates to Good:
Wilbur's sense of security gives him the maturity to control his actions and concentrate on helping others, instead of always thinking of himself first.
Overall Story Name: "SOME PIG"
Throughline Synopsis:
Wilbur is born onto a farm where, as a matter of course, runts are immediately put to death and pigs that grow up are slaughtered for winter feasts. Wilbur is able to escape this fate with the help of Fern, the farmer's daughter, and later Charlotte, an extraordinary spider.
Backstory:
Throughline as it relates to Situation:
As part of the cycle of life on a farm, Wilbur will ultimately be put to death.
Concern as it relates to The Future:
The doctor is able to reassure Mrs. Arable about Fern's future; Wilbur does not want to die, "'I want to stay alive, right here in my comfortable manure pile with all my friends'" (White, 1952, p. 51).
The old sheep points out to Templeton why he should be concerned about Wilbur, and consequently his own future:
"Wilbur's leftover food is your chief source of supply, Templeton. You know that. Wilbur's food is your food; therefore Wilbur's destiny and your destiny are closely linked. If Wilbur is killed and his trough stands empty day after day, you'll grow so thin we can look right through your stomach and see objects on the other side." (White, 1952, p. 90-91)
Issue as it relates to Preconception :
Despite the miracle in the spider's web, Mr. Zuckerman continues his plan to butcher Wilbur; Mrs. Arable informs her husband of her intent to discuss Fern with the doctor; "'I want him to know how queerly she is acting about that pig and everything. I don't think it's normal. You know perfectly well animals don't talk.' Mr. Arable grinned. 'Maybe our ears aren't as sharp as Fern's' he said " (White, 1952, p. 54).
Mrs. Arable fidgeted. "Fern says the animals talk to each other. Dr. Dorian, do you believe animals talk?" "I never heard one say anything," he replied. "But that proves nothing. It is quite possible that an animal has spoken civilly to me and that I didn't catch the remark because I wasn't paying attention. Children pay better attention than grownups. If Fern says that the animals in Zuckerman's barn talk, I'm quite ready to believe her." (White, 1952, p. 110)
Counterpoint as it relates to Openness :
Thematic Conflict as it relates to Preconception vs. Openness:
Problem as it relates to Uncontrolled:
Fern is out of control when she hears her father is going to kill the runt, "'Fern,' he said gently, 'you will have to learn to control yourself.' 'Control myself,' yelled Fern. 'This is a matter of life and death, and you talk about controlling myself'" (White, 1952, p.2-3).
The Arable's are unable to control Fern's visits to the farm; mothers are worried their children will fall off Zuckerman's swing; Wilbur creates pandemonium when he escapes from his pigpen.
Solution as it relates to Control:
Mr. Arable allows Fern to care for the runt; Mrs. Arable's consultation with the doctor serves to check her fears concerning Fern; no child has ever fallen of Zuckerman's swing "children almost always hang onto things tighter than their parents think they will" (White, 1952, p. 69); Lurvy's bucket of slops entices Wilbur back into his pen; Wilbur's instinctive response to scream at the news of his imminent demise causes Charlotte to sharply instruct him to calm down.
Symptom as it relates to Hinder:
Fern thwarts her father's act of axing the runt; Mrs. Arable suggests to Fern that she spend more time outdoors with her playmates, and less time in Uncle Homer's barn; the barn cellar animals strive to impede Zuckerman's plan to kill Wilbur.
Response as it relates to Help:
Mrs. Arable goes to the doctor for help; Charlotte calls a meeting of the barn cellar animals to enlist their help in the plan to save Wilbur; the goose suggests a new adjective to describe the pig; and the oldest sheep suggests sending Templeton to the dump to find new words.
Catalyst as it relates to Openness:
Mr. Arable is open to Fern's plea of allowing the runt to live; every time there is a new word in Charlotte's web, the Zuckerman's re-evaluate their pig; the old sheep's reminder to Templeton that if Wilbur were to die, he would miss out on the pig's food scraps, forces Templeton to re-evaluate Charlotte's request for help.
Inhibitor as it relates to Denial:
Fern does not accept her father's reasons for deciding to kill the runt; Mr. Zuckerman refuses to believe the writing in the web is not a miracle, but the work of a common grey spider.
Benchmark as it relates to The Past:
Mr. Arable allowing the runt to live, instead of doing away with it as he would in the past, serves a good omen for Wilbur's future; from his past experience, Dr. Dorian is able to reassure Mrs. Arable that at Fern's age, animals are more interesting than boys, and as time goes on her attention will be sure to shift from Wilbur to Henry Fussy.
Goal as it relates to The Future:
Wilbur's future, or lack thereof, is the goal of common concern to the objective characters.
Consequence as it relates to Innermost Desires:
If Charlotte's plan to save Wilbur fails, he will not achieve his wish to live a long life; Templeton will not fulfill his desire to live the high life and will waste away to skin and bones; Charlotte's desire for her children to be born at her home will be unfulfilled; Fern will be crushed; and so forth.
Cost as it relates to Changing One's Nature:
Charlotte becomes weak; Templeton becomes fat and bloated; the farm becomes neglected as the Zuckermans' and Lurvy concentrate on Wilbur and his many visitors; and so forth.
Dividend as it relates to Obtaining:
The Zuckermans' achieve fame; Templeton obtains more food then he could have ever dreamed; and so forth.
Requirements as it relates to The Past:
All those in favor of Wilbur living a long life, must make sure what has happened in the past to pigs (their untimely end) does not happen to him.
Prerequisites as it relates to Memories:
The old sheep remembers what happens to fattened up pigs on the farm and warns Wilbur of his doom, "'I'm an old sheep and I see the same thing, same old business, year after year'" (White, 1952, p.49).
Preconditions as it relates to Developing a Plan:
Charlotte must determine how her idea for saving Wilbur can be implemented; the old sheep comes up with a practical way of obtaining new words for the web; Mr. Zuckerman, et al, must imagine the words in the web are a miracle, not the work of a common grey spider.
Forewarnings as it relates to Understanding:
Wilbur and his friends must understand that unless drastic measures are taken, he will be served up for Christmas dinner; Charlotte understands her time to save Wilbur is limited.
Main vs. Impact Story Name: "The Writer and the Runt"
Throughline Synopsis:
In the endeavor to save Wilbur's life, Charlotte is able to help Wilbur grow up, and in turn, he is able to help her children.
Backstory:
Throughline as it relates to Fixed Attitude:
Wilbur has the attitude that he is ordinary; Charlotte's point of view is that he is a very special pig:
Wilbur blushed. "But I'm not terrific, Charlotte. I'm just about average for a pig." "You're terrific as far as I'm concerned," replied Charlotte, sweetly, "and that's what counts. You're my best friend, and I think you're sensational. Now stop arguing and go get some sleep!" (White, 1952 p. 91)
Concern as it relates to Innermost Desires:
Wilbur desires to live; Charlotte is driven to save him, "'I don't want to die.' '...I am not going to let you die, Wilbur'" (White, 1952, p.62-63).
Issue as it relates to Denial :
Charlotte and Wilbur refuse to accept the foregone conclusion that he will be butchered at Christmastime.
Counterpoint as it relates to Closure :
Thematic Conflict as it relates to Denial vs. Closure:
Problem as it relates to Temptation:
Problems between Wilbur and Charlotte are created when Wilbur is tempted to depend on Charlotte to solve all his problems, instead of standing on his own hooves.
Solution as it relates to Conscience:
Wilbur must follow through on certain required steps to protect the lives of Charlotte's future children, and to ensure they will be born in the barn.
Symptom as it relates to Hinder:
Charlotte must make things tough for Wilbur to help him grow up; Wilbur's neediness makes it difficult for Charlotte to concentrate on her own problems:
"The Fair comes at a bad time for me. I shall find it inconvenient to leave home, even for a few days." "Please come with me!" begged Wilbur. "I need you, Charlotte. I can't stand going to the Fair without you. You've just got to come." (White, 1952, p. 116)
Response as it relates to Help:
Charlotte and Wilbur learn to help each other through each of their difficulties.
Catalyst as it relates to Closure:
Charlotte's death ends their earthly friendship, but Wilbur's promise to care for her children in the egg sac continues their relationship forever.
Inhibitor as it relates to Preconception:
Wilbur's discovery of how Charlotte survives impedes their new friendship, "Charlotte is fierce, brutal, scheming, bloodthirsty-everything I don't like. How can I learn to like her, even though she is pretty and, of course, clever" (White, 1952, p. 41).
Benchmark as it relates to Memories:
Wilbur's memory of his friendship with Fern fades as she grows up and visits less often, however, long after Charlotte's death, the spider's and Wilbur's friendship flourishes, nurtured by her children and grandchildren and the fond memory Wilbur holds of his dear friend, "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" (White, 1952, p. 184).
Role: Fern's runt, Zuckerman's pig, Charlotte's friend
Description:
sweet-natured; fun-loving
Throughline Synopsis:
Wilbur is a happy-go-lucky pig faced with a certain death; although this is his concern, he learns to think of others' problems.
Backstory:
Throughline as it relates to Activity:
Taking part in the effort to stay alive, Wilbur engages in activities that bear out the messages Charlotte weaves in her web, such as doing back flips with a half twist:
Ever since the spider had befriended him, he had done his best to live up to his reputation. When Charlotte's web said SOME PIG, Wilbur had tried hard to look like some pig. When Charlotte's web said TERRIFIC, Wilbur had tried to look terrific. And now that the web said RADIANT, he did everything possible to make himself glow. (White, 1952, p. 114)
Concern as it relates to Obtaining:
Wilbur is concerned with obtaining amnesty from execution.
Issue as it relates to Self Interest :
Throughout the story, Wilbur's first concern is for his comfort and safety; when he realizes that Charlotte and her egg sac cannot make the journey back to the farm, he stops thinking of himself and makes arrangements to take the egg sac.
Counterpoint as it relates to Morality :
Thematic Conflict as it relates to Self Interest vs. Morality:
Problem as it relates to Uncontrolled:
Wilbur's immediate response to a problem is one of frenzy (when he has escaped his pen) or hysteria (when he finds out he is to be butchered).
Solution as it relates to Control:
The organization process that Wilbur must go through to transport Charlotte's egg sac back to the farm, all the while maintaining his cool, is indicative of him growing up.
Symptom as it relates to Avoidance:
Wilbur is focused on avoiding death.
Response as it relates to Pursuit:
Wilbur seeks helps from Charlotte to save his life.
Unique Ability as it relates to Approach:
Wilbur's sweet nature endears him to others, compelling them to want to help him stay alive.
Critical Flaw as it relates to Obligation:
As an example of how "obligation" undermines Wilbur's efforts, for Wilbur to fatten up into SOME PIG, he must eat every scrap in his trough, however, since Templeton was instrumental in saving Charlotte from Avery's stick, he feels he must share his food with the rat.
Benchmark as it relates to Understanding:
The more Wilbur appreciates his impending death, the more concerned he is with finding a way to save his life.
Role: Spider
Description:
Wilbur's best friend and savior; beautiful and intelligent. "It's not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both" (White, 1952, p. 184).
Throughline Synopsis:
Charlotte appreciates Wilbur for who he is, and in addition to working toward saving his life, gently guides his maturation process.
Backstory:
Throughline as it relates to Manipulation:
Charlotte thinks of ways to fool insects for her own survival, and manipulate humans to save Wilbur:
"Why, how perfectly simple! she said to herself. The way to save Wilbur's life is to play a trick on Zuckerman. If I can fool a bug, thought Charlotte, I can surely fool a man. People are not as smart as bugs." (White, 1952, p. 67)
Concern as it relates to Changing One's Nature:
Charlotte wants to become more than a spider, she is also concerned with saving the lives of her loved ones.
Issue as it relates to Commitment :
Charlotte has made a commitment to save Wilbur's life, yet she also has a responsibility to save her strength for her future children.
Counterpoint as it relates to Responsibility :
Thematic Conflict as it relates to Commitment vs. Responsibility:
Problem as it relates to Feeling:
Charlotte's feelings of affection for Wilbur drive her to save his life.
Solution as it relates to Logic:
Charlotte uses her logic to think of a way to save Wilbur's life:
Having promised Wilbur that she would save his life, she was determined to keep her promise...and she felt sure that if she thought long enough about Wilbur's problem, an idea would come to her mind. Finally, one morning toward the middle of July, the idea came. (White, 1952, p. 66-67)
Symptom as it relates to Hinder:
Charlotte channels her efforts into making it difficult for Wilbur to be complacent about his life.
Response as it relates to Help:
Not only does Charlotte help Wilbur live, she helps him to emotionally grow up.
Unique Ability as it relates to Rationalization:
To keep Wilbur from worrying, Charlotte is able make him think she is in the process of implementing a plan to save him, when in actuality, it is not yet developed.
Critical Flaw as it relates to Attitude:
Charlotte does not apologize for her hard-hearted attitude toward survival:
"It's a miserable inheritance," said Wilbur, gloomily"...it's cruel." "Well, you can't talk," said Charlotte. "You have your meals brought to you in a pail. Nobody feeds me. I have to get my own living. I live by my wits. I have to be sharp and clever, lest I go hungry. I have to think things out, catch what I can, take what comes." (White, 1952, pp. 39-40)
Benchmark as it relates to Developing a Plan:
Charlotte's visualization of the implementation of her idea to save Wilbur is the standard against which her concern of his untimely end is measured.
The Overall Throughline Act Order:
Overall Story Signpost 1 as it relates to The Present:
Fern is concerned with saving, and raising, the runt; Wilbur is concerned with his state of loneliness, the Zuckerman's and Lurvy are concerned with keeping their pig in his pen; Templeton is concerned with himself.
Overall Story Journey 1 from The Present to How Things are Changing:
Overall Story Signpost 2 as it relates to How Things are Changing:
Mrs. Arable is concerned with what she perceives as Fern's lack of emotional growth; the oldest sheep notices Wilbur is fattening up; Wilbur is concerned with the progress of Charlotte's plan to save him; the goose gives birth to her goslings "'Luck had nothing to do with this, said the goose. It was good management and hard work'" (White, 1952, p. 45).
Overall Story Journey 2 from How Things are Changing to The Past:
Overall Story Signpost 3 as it relates to The Past:
Fern and the barn cellar animals listen to Charlotte's "once upon a time" tale of her cousin catching a fish; everyone is affected when they hear the crickets sing a song warning summer is almost past and sadness and change are coming, for Avery and Fern it means summer is almost behind them and school will start soon, the goslings realize they will never be young again, the maple tree turns "bright red with anxiety" (White, 1952, p. 144).
Overall Story Journey 3 from The Past to The Future:
Overall Story Signpost 4 as it relates to The Future:
Charlotte is sad she will not live to see her five hundred and fourteen children next spring; Templeton will not help Wilbur until the pig promises him first choice of everything in his trough in the future; each spring Charlotte's descendants hatch in the barn doorway; Fern sees her future as a young lady and stops visiting the barn as often; the Zuckermans care for Wilbur for the rest of his life.
The Main vs. Impact Throughline Act Order:
Main vs. Impact Story Signpost 1 as it relates to Memories:
Wilbur's horrible recollection of his lonely day fades when Charlotte becomes his friend.
Main vs. Impact Story Journey 1 from Memories to Impulsive Responses:
Main vs. Impact Story Signpost 2 as it relates to Impulsive Responses:
Wilbur's horror of Charlotte acting on her instincts for survival fade, "Wilbur liked Charlotte better and better each day. Her campaign against insects seemed sensible and useful" (White, (1952, p.48).
Main vs. Impact Story Journey 2 from Impulsive Responses to Innermost Desires:
Main vs. Impact Story Signpost 3 as it relates to Innermost Desires:
Wilbur is afraid to be without Charlotte at the fair; Charlotte is driven to create an egg sac for her children.
Main vs. Impact Story Journey 3 from Innermost Desires to Contemplation:
Main vs. Impact Story Signpost 4 as it relates to Contemplation:
Once Charlotte forces Wilbur to consider the fact he cannot stay at the fair with her, he takes action to bring her egg sac safely home.
The Main Character Throughline Act Order:
Main Character Signpost 1 as it relates to Gathering Information:
Wilbur learns what the great outdoors is like outside his pen.
Main Character Journey 1 from Gathering Information to Obtaining:
Main Character Signpost 2 as it relates to Obtaining:
Once Wilbur finds out he may be the main entree for Christmas dinner, he is concerned with obtaining amnesty from execution.
Main Character Journey 2 from Obtaining to Understanding:
Main Character Signpost 3 as it relates to Understanding:
Wilbur is concerned that Zuckerman understands he is an extraordinary pig.
Main Character Journey 3 from Understanding to Doing:
Main Character Signpost 4 as it relates to Doing:
Wilbur is concerned with performing for the judges and audience at the fair; he is concerned with taking Charlotte's children home to the barn; and so forth.
The Impact Character Throughline Act Order:
Impact Character Signpost 1 as it relates to Playing a Role:
Charlotte is concerned with the skills necessary for a spider, "'You mean you eat flies?' 'Certainly. Flies, bugs, grasshoppers...anything that is careless enough to get caught in my web. I have to live...'" (White, 1952, p.39).
Impact Character Journey 1 from Playing a Role to Changing One's Nature:
Impact Character Signpost 2 as it relates to Changing One's Nature:
Charlotte is concerned with becoming more than a spider; she wishes to become Wilbur's savior.
Impact Character Journey 2 from Changing One's Nature to Conceiving an Idea:
Impact Character Signpost 3 as it relates to Conceiving an Idea:
Charlotte needs to come up with new ideas for messages to weave in her web; Charlotte is concerned with hatching her eggs; Charlotte is concerned with conceiving a way to go to the fair with Wilbur, and taking care of her eggs at the same time.
Impact Character Journey 3 from Conceiving an Idea to Developing a Plan:
Impact Character Signpost 4 as it relates to Developing a Plan:
Charlotte tries to envision how her egg sac can be taken back to the farm safely, so that she may die with peace of mind, knowing her children will be born at her home.
All Concerns:
In order for Wilbur to have the life he desires, he must obtain a stay of execution from his owner, Mr. Zuckerman. Although everyone is concerned about the future of the pig, it is Wilbur's best friend, Charlotte, who rises above being a common grey spider to become the pig's savior.
|
|
Copyright
© 1994-2006 Write Brothers, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |