Charlotte’s Web Essay
A piece of classic literature, according to the Lukens text, “is one that influences other writers, illustrators, and readers who study and learn from classics and adapt them in important and timely ways” (XXIV). Many of the classic pieces of literature is what inspires more current stories. There are many different parts in making great literature. In the Lukens textbook, A Critical Handbook of Children’s Literature, it talks about the seven criteria of quality literature. This paper is going to focus on two of the seven criteria: shows us insight into human motivation and provides order and form to human experience. The setting is another very important component to any literature piece. Setting of a story tells the …show more content…
This story, not only, would not have made sense had it been set anywhere else, it also would not make sense at any other time. There are indicators throughout Charlotte’s Web that point to older times. For starters, looking at Fern and Avery, the two Arable children, they grew up in an older time. The children spent most of their summer outside playing in brooks and at the farm. If this story was told at a more modern time the children would be immersed in technology not nature. The fair was also another indicator of time. Nowadays a fair would not be safe for two young children to roam by themselves. One example that points to having an older time integral setting was when Mrs. Zuckerman was dreaming of seeing and learning more about the deep freeze units at the fair. Another description the author gave was, “Fern lugged a pail of hot water to her room and took a sponge bath” (White 119). That shows an older time setting before hot water …show more content…
Charlotte’s Web is similar to transitional readers. There are few illustrations and the vocabulary is a little less controlled. In transitional reader books there is less animal fantasy. In Aidan Chambers’ article, The Reader in the Book, Chambers’ says, “for, like all literature, children’s literature at its best attempts “to explore, re-create and seek for meanings in human experiences” (7). Chambers’ article also points out that, “Most writers approach the problem of adult-portrayal less directly. They tend to cast their tales in the form of fantasy, usually with animal-human characters” (7). White does just that in Charlotte’s Web. The themes in Charlotte’s Web are love and friendship. The themes are two things that are intended to interest female readers. In the beginning Fern was nurturing and caring for Wilbur then Charlotte begins to teach and help Wilbur. Charlotte’s Web in a classic piece of literature because no matter what age a person is the story brings new insights on life. One can read Charlotte’s Web at different stages in their life and find new meanings from what they read. Charlotte’s Web focuses on human motivations and how to form order to the human experiences. The book has an integral setting. Charlotte’s Web would not have made sense or been the same had the story not taken place at the Zuckerman barn and at the fair. The story also would not be the same had it been told from a more modern point of view. Charlotte’s
A piece of classic literature, according to the Lukens text, “is one that influences other writers, illustrators, and readers who study and learn from classics and adapt them in important and timely ways” (XXIV). Many of the classic pieces of literature is what inspires more current stories. There are many different parts in making great literature. In the Lukens textbook, A Critical Handbook of Children’s Literature, it talks about the seven criteria of quality literature. This paper is going to focus on two of the seven criteria: shows us insight into human motivation and provides order and form to human experience. The setting is another very important component to any literature piece. Setting of a story tells the …show more content…
This story, not only, would not have made sense had it been set anywhere else, it also would not make sense at any other time. There are indicators throughout Charlotte’s Web that point to older times. For starters, looking at Fern and Avery, the two Arable children, they grew up in an older time. The children spent most of their summer outside playing in brooks and at the farm. If this story was told at a more modern time the children would be immersed in technology not nature. The fair was also another indicator of time. Nowadays a fair would not be safe for two young children to roam by themselves. One example that points to having an older time integral setting was when Mrs. Zuckerman was dreaming of seeing and learning more about the deep freeze units at the fair. Another description the author gave was, “Fern lugged a pail of hot water to her room and took a sponge bath” (White 119). That shows an older time setting before hot water …show more content…
Charlotte’s Web is similar to transitional readers. There are few illustrations and the vocabulary is a little less controlled. In transitional reader books there is less animal fantasy. In Aidan Chambers’ article, The Reader in the Book, Chambers’ says, “for, like all literature, children’s literature at its best attempts “to explore, re-create and seek for meanings in human experiences” (7). Chambers’ article also points out that, “Most writers approach the problem of adult-portrayal less directly. They tend to cast their tales in the form of fantasy, usually with animal-human characters” (7). White does just that in Charlotte’s Web. The themes in Charlotte’s Web are love and friendship. The themes are two things that are intended to interest female readers. In the beginning Fern was nurturing and caring for Wilbur then Charlotte begins to teach and help Wilbur. Charlotte’s Web in a classic piece of literature because no matter what age a person is the story brings new insights on life. One can read Charlotte’s Web at different stages in their life and find new meanings from what they read. Charlotte’s Web focuses on human motivations and how to form order to the human experiences. The book has an integral setting. Charlotte’s Web would not have made sense or been the same had the story not taken place at the Zuckerman barn and at the fair. The story also would not be the same had it been told from a more modern point of view. Charlotte’s