English 2F - Children's Lit
Response #9 -Charlotte's Web

Purpose: To analyze the elements of fantasy, especially archetypal elements, to identify the potential responses of children to the book, to explore the question of how fantasy affects children psychologically, emotionally and soacially.

Directions: 

Note: The responses are intended to be a way for you to explore ideas that you might later wish to refine in a paper or a discussion.  I will not censor these responses in any way, nor will I grade them on content or grammar (though, like the seminars, they must be coherent and display some measure of critical thinking about the question at hand). You do not have to answer all the questions, nor do you have to confine yourself to these questions.  You can write as much as you want, as long as you meet the minimum length requirements for the assignment

1. Read E.B. White 's Charlotte's Web.

2.  Review the material on fantasy from Module 6. 

3. Choose one of the questions below and write a 1-2 page response. Include quotes from the book to back up your ideas.

  • What archetypes do we find in this book? Are the characters true to the standard of the archetype, or do they somehow subvert the expectations of the archetype? For example, you could compare Charlotte to the archetypal Hero. She is smart, strong, brave and self-sacrificing. She realizes her job is to save the 'damsel' in distress. However, White subverts our expectations of a traditional Hero by making Charlotte female and her damsel, Wilbur, male.
  • A hallmark of mythology, from religious texts to fairy tales, is that it raises universal themes and questions, with the goal of suggesting to the reader what it means to be 'human'. What are some of the universal themes and questions raised in this book? What does this book suggest are the 'best' ways to be human? What are young readers learning about what's important in a human life (even as we recognize that most of his characters are not human)
  • Compare and contrast some of the elements in this book to those in other stories/mythologies/religions.  What other stories does this story remind you of? What are some of the common elements? What are some of the important differences? For example, you could look at how violence and the threat of death are driving forces in this book. Are there other texts that contain that central theme? The Hunger Games is one that readily comes to mind, but no doubt there are others. You could consider similarities between chacaters, plots or themes.
  • How believable is the world of the farm? How do the details that White includes about the farm and its occupants contribute to our willingness (or unwillingness) to believe in it?  Do you think children and adults have different levels of tolerance when it comes to believing in a fantasy world? How much difference does it make that this story has as its backdrop a 'real life' setting? Do you think it makes the book more or less believable?

4. Submit your response to the assignments chamber.

5. Extra Credit Option: Post your response to the extra credit forums, "Response #9 - Charlotte's Web " .  You will receive extra credit if you post your response and/or respond to at least one other student's posting.