Charlotte's Web PP

Progeny Press Study Guide


For the novel by E. B. White


Early one spring morning, Fern Arable notices her father heading out to the hoghouse with an ax. Her mother informs her that some pigs had been born the previous night, but that one of the pigs is a runt. ""It's very small and weak, and it will never amount to anything. So your father has decided to do away with it.""



Outraged at what she sees as a terrible injustice, Fern pleads with her father not to kill the pig. Her father agrees, provided that Fern raise the pig herself. Fern names the pig Wilbur, and spends many happy hours caring for him.



When Wilbur is five weeks old, he is sold to Fern's uncle, Homer Zuckerman. Wilbur goes to live in Mr. Zuckerman's barn, and Fern goes to visit him nearly every day.



Wilbur quickly adjusts to his new life in the barn cellar, but soon experiences a painful loneliness. Then Wilbur meets Charlotte, a spider who lives in the doorway over his pen. Charlotte says that she will be Wilbur's friend. Wilbur is excited to have a new friend, but he is alarmed by Charlotte's habit of trapping insects and drinking their blood. Charlotte's kindness and good nature win over Wilbur, and they become fast friends.



Wilbur's happiness is short-lived when he learns that Mr. Zuckerman plans to kill him at Christmastime. ""Turn you into smoked bacon and ham,"" the old sheep tells him. Wilbur becomes nearly hysterical at the news, but Charlotte hatches a clever plan to save Wilbur's life.



The story of Charlotte's effort to save Wilbur's life is a lesson in selfless love that demonstrates the beauty of true friendship and sacrifice.



Progeny Press Study Guide: 58 pages

# of Lessons: 6 Chapter Lessons + Overview

Subjects: Farm living, friendship and selflessness, freedom vs. safety, the cycle of life and death

Grade Level: 4-6