Even though Homer Zuckerman is a good guy, he's the shadow of Charlotte's web.
He is opposing the hero, because he wants to kill and eat Wilbur. When your little, this seems like the most horrible, cruel thing anyone can do, not realizing what your hot dog for lunch is. How ever, when you are older, you realize that this is perfectly normal for a farmer to kill his pig, and for multiple to eat it. Obviously, this is opposing Wilbur, because Wilbur doesn't want to die. Without Homer Zuckerman being this shadow, there would be no Charlotte's Web.
The shadow doesn't always have to be a "bad guy." I mean, I Templeton is much more cruel and angry than anyone in the story, but he's the shape-shifter. Mr. Zuckerman is sweet, and for the most part of the story, he want Wilbur to be comfortable and happy. Yet, he's also the part that Voldemort, Cruella de Vil, and the Wicked Witch play. Weird.
Homer Zuckerman creates tension in the story, although he doesn't realize it. He's very proud of his pig, after it's stated that it's "Some Pig." He has very often said it. But then, on page 126 Mr. Arable referred to when Mr. Zuckerman would be killing the pig, putting Wilbur in much strain. Mr. Zuckerman still had been planning on killing Wilbur at this point.
All in all, you can definitely consider Homer Zuckerman to be the shadow of Charlotte's Web, whether he be good or bad.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Charlotte's Web Response: Connecting
"Well, I'm no good at making speeches. I haven't got your gift for words. But you have saved me , Charlotte, and I would gladly give my life for you- I really would." - Wilbur, page 164.
Think back. Page 49, when Wilbur firsts finds out about his death. Do you really think Wilbur would've said this at this point? Of course not! That's because the bond off friendship between Wilbur and Charlotte greatly matured Wilbur.
Although Charlotte truly is witty and bloodthirsty, she exposes that loyal, warm side of herself towards Wilbur. She did something so outstanding and miraculous that only a friend could do. It is quite obvious that Wilbur would not have been able to live if it hadn't been for his and Charlotte's friendship, and he knows it! The fact of that has such a powerful impact, that throughout this event, he grows up.
On page 126, you'll see a reference made my Mr. Arable about killing Wilbur. So, this is before the life-saving mission is complete. The fact that he might still die is such a shock towards Wilbur, that he faints!
He doesn't want to die, and he has no intention of dying.
But, on page 164, after the life saving mission is complete, he says he would die to save Charlotte.
Think back. Page 49, when Wilbur firsts finds out about his death. Do you really think Wilbur would've said this at this point? Of course not! That's because the bond off friendship between Wilbur and Charlotte greatly matured Wilbur.
Although Charlotte truly is witty and bloodthirsty, she exposes that loyal, warm side of herself towards Wilbur. She did something so outstanding and miraculous that only a friend could do. It is quite obvious that Wilbur would not have been able to live if it hadn't been for his and Charlotte's friendship, and he knows it! The fact of that has such a powerful impact, that throughout this event, he grows up.
On page 126, you'll see a reference made my Mr. Arable about killing Wilbur. So, this is before the life-saving mission is complete. The fact that he might still die is such a shock towards Wilbur, that he faints!
He doesn't want to die, and he has no intention of dying.
But, on page 164, after the life saving mission is complete, he says he would die to save Charlotte.
Therefore, you can conclude that the friendship between Charlotte and Wilbur matured him throughout
her life-saving mission for him.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Charlotte's Web Response: Yo mama...
Charlotte is a hugenormous motherly figure towards Wilbur.
In chapter 7, Wilbur is informed by the oldest sheep that he shall Christmas dinner. Obviously Wilbur, who had been totally oblivious to this, acted the way anybody would. He freaked. As Wilbur wailed about how he didn't want to die, about how he was to young, Charlotte calmly said...
"Be quiet, Wilbur!" If you look back to page 1, this is very similar to the way Mrs. Arable responded to Fern's cries and complaints. She just calmly say's, "Don't yell Fern," and continues doing as she was.
This shows That both Charlotte and Mrs. Arable are very used to this behavior. Even though Charlotte hasn't known Wilbur to long, she can already read his attitude and she has already figured out how to treat him. This examples Charlotte's wise and witty attitude.
Another example of Charlotte's motherly figure is on page 64. Here though, it shows the warmer side of her motherly disposition. She is instructing Wilbur to eat and sleep a lot for his benefit. She's taking care of him. And Wilbur also really does play the part of her child. He asks for her permission to go get the leftovers from his dinner, when he should be asleep. And, he listens to her! (So, he plays the part of a slightly abnormal child.) Now can't you just imagine that being your mother?
The advice she gives on page 65, (" Slowly, slowly! Never hurry never worry!") really is something I can imagine a mother telling her child.
An all around obvious example of Charlotte being motherly to Wilbur is: She's protecting him from getting killed! Without Charlottes motherly-ness, there would be no book! One of the main points of the story, (if not the main one) is that her web is saving Wilbur's life. Most mothers I know would definitely save their child's life if they had the opportunity.
In chapter 7, Wilbur is informed by the oldest sheep that he shall Christmas dinner. Obviously Wilbur, who had been totally oblivious to this, acted the way anybody would. He freaked. As Wilbur wailed about how he didn't want to die, about how he was to young, Charlotte calmly said...
"Be quiet, Wilbur!" If you look back to page 1, this is very similar to the way Mrs. Arable responded to Fern's cries and complaints. She just calmly say's, "Don't yell Fern," and continues doing as she was.
This shows That both Charlotte and Mrs. Arable are very used to this behavior. Even though Charlotte hasn't known Wilbur to long, she can already read his attitude and she has already figured out how to treat him. This examples Charlotte's wise and witty attitude.
Another example of Charlotte's motherly figure is on page 64. Here though, it shows the warmer side of her motherly disposition. She is instructing Wilbur to eat and sleep a lot for his benefit. She's taking care of him. And Wilbur also really does play the part of her child. He asks for her permission to go get the leftovers from his dinner, when he should be asleep. And, he listens to her! (So, he plays the part of a slightly abnormal child.) Now can't you just imagine that being your mother?
The advice she gives on page 65, (" Slowly, slowly! Never hurry never worry!") really is something I can imagine a mother telling her child.
An all around obvious example of Charlotte being motherly to Wilbur is: She's protecting him from getting killed! Without Charlottes motherly-ness, there would be no book! One of the main points of the story, (if not the main one) is that her web is saving Wilbur's life. Most mothers I know would definitely save their child's life if they had the opportunity.
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