Charlotte’s Web discussion

That's the part of the novel that didn't make complete sense to me, and it was Avery who seemed to enjoy being around the pig more.

I understand the message that she was growing up and wished to be with that boy, but she went from sitting in the barn for hours on end listening to Charlotte, Templeton and Wilbur's plight, to almost not even noticing if Wilbur was alive at the fair.

No, I am not surprised. Fern grew up and moved on. Also Wilbur was not the cute little baby pig anymore. He was quickly becoming a hog. Living on the farm gives one great insight into this scenario. Have you ever had a 500 pound hog step on your foot in a rubber boot on a cold morning? There's your answer!

It made sense to me. It's similar to Susan denying that Narnia ever existed.

Cruse, most of my relatives live on a farm, and yes I'm aware of the difficulties in raising pigs. But I don't know, I love the book and the characters, but still it was the only part that didn't feel right to me.

Maybe because the author set up a special bond with Fern & the animals, and then suddenly she did not care anymore. Of course it was bound to happen, but it seemed to come out of nowhere.

Well actually it made sense...both Fern and Wilbur are growing up and when you get older, your priorities are changing also...(I think that the moral lesson of this book is growing up and moving forward)..

This has happened to me with pets and since I became a mom its happening more.

This happened when I was growing up. I had a horse who I doted on daily. Then I got old enough to have bills so I was working, and in school... I still loved him dearly but ultimately just didnt have the time to invest in him any more.

But wasn't Fern still very young when she became disinterested? And we all had pets as kids, but Fern had an extraordinary bond with these animals....just seemed odd to me in the context of the novel.

Slightly upsetting because I admired Fern a lot during those early chapters.

I don't know...I'm very bonded to my old dog. Even tho I have a life, I make time for him and include him. He's family, he's my family. I can't imagine what life will be like at my house one day when he's gone...:(

Don't read too much into it. Fern is growing up and things that captured her attention no longer do so now. It is neither cruel, nor indifferent, it is life. You put away toys and other childish things and Wilbur was one more. It just looks bad because he was the center of attention for a period. I have known plenty of young ladies that wanted a pony and the few that received one was plenty surprised how much work was involved. All the story indicates is she is moving on in life as Charlotte did and time does.

I still think the author was too hasty in making Fern lose interest, she could have been one of the great fictional characters in literature I think. But he quickly turned her into a boy crazy 8 year old girl. The scenario in the novel was an extraordinary one, and it just seemed weird to me to leave this impression on the reader.

Well, Fern is not the main character of the story, she is just a supporting, so I think it's not really necessary for her getting more in the story esp. her actions are infact related to reality as fiction.

and to add more..Fern and Wilbur created a bond together because at first they are always together/ unseparable(Wilbur lived in Fern's)..since Wilbur is not in Fern's side anymore or Fern doesn't always see Wilbur, it creates a gap that causes her not to see Wilbur for a while even though she's always visiting when she has time.. it's really different when Wilbur is always by her side.

Good comment. Wilbur did have his own life, and Fern wasn't someone he seemed to particularly notice.

But I was disappointed Fern didn't stay around for Wilbur's success at the fair. I know she lost interest by that time, but this was a pig she raised when it was young. Surely a bond like that couldn't have vanished in the span of months? I think the author shouldn't have cut Fern's interest too sharply so soon, as if to say she will turn out normal eventually and her mother won't have to fret or take her to a psychologist. I felt a bit cheated by it.

Uhmm.. if that's your opinion..so be it...
The deed was already done..you just have to accept it...and E.B White has his reasons..so go ask him.
(sorry for the sarcasm)

Wilbur is more into Charlotte than Fern, too. Remember pigs turn into hogs. Eight year old girls have short attention spans. How many kids get puppies and then don't like them when they "get big" or become adult dogs? Forget kids how many adults get pets like parrots or something not knowing they live for 30 years. Just look at all the exotic snakes people no longer wanted and just turned loose. Get over this obsession! Fern is a kid. E.B. White did a great job. Write your own story where the girl is fascinated by a hog and see how successful it is. At least you will be happy with the ending.

Maybe someone told the kid that her pet pig is going to end up being her breakfast bacon one day?

C'mon it's a discussion question, chill out and don't get too defensive. Cruse if my question is frustrating you don't answer it. I was very happy with the ending, and Charlotte's and Wilbur's friendship, but the Fern aspect didn't feel right.

There isn't such thing as a perfect novel, and this I think was the one flaw in an otherwise great novel. The author rushed over this as if Fern & Wilbur's initial bond during the first few chapters meant squat.

Michael wrote: "C'mon it's a discussion question, chill out and don't get too defensive. Cruse if my question is frustrating you don't answer it. I was very happy with the ending, and Charlotte's and Wilbur's frie..."

I think you are missing the bigger point that it is a children's book. You can't expect it to reach up to adult standards. It is a beautiful book, but it is a children's book non-the-less.

Maybe you do have a point and maybe you dont...

Do they not review the book before they publish it??
Maybe E.B White already notice that simple thing but didn't modify the story or he really did what you were asking for but modify it for the last time...we don't know...

and if Fern will not be indifferent to Wilbur, will he be able to meet Charlotte?? Will the two beautiful creatures be bestfriends>>? will he still be alive without Charlotte>>??

I don't think so!! Remember Charlotte saved Wilbur, and that's the point!

P.S.

Suggestion: READ the book 5 times

and the answer to the question above.. a BIG big NO

Great literature invokes varied opinions though, and I admire and enjoyed this book a lot which is why I asked the question.

I couldn't care less if I have a point or not, to me my point is valid, but other people here obviously feel it's a moot point and not relevant to the book. But hey, it's a children's book and you can't expect War & Peace here.

Yes, it was sad, and hard to relate with. I guess because I was more attached to my animals even as a child.

Yes. It was supposed to symbolize her "growing up", but I didn't like or expect it.

Thank you! I totally agree and you made your point so well.

Who loves baby pigs? MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

she is too old for chidish things, that's why

Rowan wrote: "Who loves baby pigs? MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1"

me too

It didnt make sense and those who say it did have probably never cared for an animal in their life. My mom was born and raised on a farm and she still remembers to this day a cow with which she had a very special bond. Even though shes not vegetarian, she has never eaten beef because of that childhood friend of hers. I grew up with a dog, and still remember him and sometimes talk about him with my sister, even though he passed away 20 years ago. It made no sense for such an animal loving, empathetic girl to suddenly "grow out of it", and that's why its a major drawback of the book.

Overall, it didn't surprise me. We all grow up and start taking interest in new things that didn't seem appealing a first. Also, we all go through the tough and hard stage of letting things go. For Fern, at the beginning of the book, Wilber was the best thing that ever happened to her however as she progressed throughout the book her interests started to change. Fern, from my point of view, gradually changed. The peak of her change was at the fair. Wilber was also changing. He grew and made a friend in Charlotte. He wasn't the baby piglet that Fern had saved. I do wish that Fern didn't leave Wilber, I fell in love with their friendship. All throughout life we come to points were we leave somethings behind and come to take part in new.