Charlotte's Web is a Children's Novel
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White is a considered a classic children’s book and it was definitely intended for children. It was White’s second children’s novel, the first being Stuart Little, which was published seven years prior to Charlotte’s Web. The main characters in the story are a pig and a spider; not your typical adult hero and heroine. Pigs and spiders are definitely more suited to children
In fact, the first two chapters set the stage for a children’s story that of a pig who is the beloved pet of a little girl who rescues him from death. If E.B. White had continued in the vein of the first two chapters, there would not be much in the book for adults. Even if the novel addressed death, the tone was suited to children and not adults.
Adults are a Secondary but Desired Audience for Charlotte's Web
However, once White’s primary audience is established and securely entrenched in the book, he is able to expand his range. Chapter 3 starts with a simple sentence “The Barn was very large.” He builds on that straightforward description (which clearly reflects his opinion, expressed in his grammar handbook Strunk and White Elements of Style, that less is more) with more simple declarative sentences that expand into longer and more involved descriptions of the barn that include items that are meaningless to most children but make perfect sense to adults. Suddenly the adult who is reading the novel to his child is drawn into the story too.
From this point forward, White deftly contrasts mature reminders of death such as the song sparrow’s melody who knowing “‘how brief and lovely life is says, ‘Sweet, sweet, sweet interlude; sweet, sweet, sweet interlude,’” with Wilbur’s child-like shock when he discovers that Charlotte will die at the fairground. White realizes that while death is inevitable, adults and children recognize and respond to it in different ways.
For children, the plot’s irresistible center is Wilbur’s possible death and Charlotte’s fight to save him. But for the mature reader, White provides subtle reminders that, while Wilbur may reach the end of the story without becoming a parade of delicious meals for the Zuckermans, Charlotte will not survive the coming of winter. And yet White portrays Charlotte’s gracious acceptance in death so beautifully that while some readers will sob like Wilbur others will find it beautiful and dignified.
A Story of Friendship that can be Shared by Young and Old
In the end, however, while the plot is moved by the promise of death. The heart of the story is friendship.
"Why did you do all this for me?" he asked. "I don't deserve it. I've never done anything for you."
"You have been my friend," replied Charlotte. "That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what's a life, anyway? We're born, we live a little while, we die. A spider's life can't help being something of a mess, with all this trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle. Heaven knows anyone's life can stand a little of that."
Charlotte’s Web is wonderful book for children and adults to share. Read it with your child. If you don’t have a child, read it for yourself. If you are a precocious child reading this review and haven’t read Charlotte’s Web, read it. Charlotte’s Web is for anyone who appreciates life and friendship.
