Today my class discussed Charlotte's Web. They are all such smart kids. I was intrigued by a few comments they made, though, especially one girl whose basic stance is:
this book is allegedly all about the cycle of life and death, and how dying is a natural part of life. except wilbur never dies; he becomes famous, and fame is a way to live forever. so really, the book values immortality more than it naturalizes death.
This student did not especially care for the book, I think. Or rather: she had issues with it.
it was interesting. this re-read of Charlotte's Web, for me, really focused on the wonderfully orderly structure of the book. it feels so organic - as it's meant to, i think. we move so easily from season to season, and White lingers over details of the natural world so beautifully - it's quite a symphony of words and structures, really.
i've never been a special fan of Charlotte's Web - i mean, it's a great book, I like it a lot, but it's never been one I hold especially close to my heart - but it's a beautiful piece of craft.
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3 comments:
The fame/immortality idea is an interesting one, and I hadn't thought about it before.
But maybe it's more about memory as immortality? Especially with Wilbur sharing details about Charlotte with her daughters who stay?
I preferred Trumpet of the Swan, I think.
Just found your blog recently, and I have to say I am completely enthralled with the idea of studying children's literature. :)
As you know, I've been teaching this book to 4th graders for a couple of decades now and that issue of immortality is one I've thought of a lot. I mean, Wilbur is a special pig, a white one, and there is this sense at the end that unlike Charlotte he lives forever more. And go back and look at some of those illustrations --- that one with the web positioned right over his head like a halo?
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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