Sometimes it's fun to be in the limelight. Wilbur sure does enjoy all the attention he gets when Charlotte weaves her first words into the web. For Wilbur, being the center of attention means getting extra slop, a nice warm bed, and oodles of admirers. But in Charlotte's Web admiration isn't just about fun and games. It's also a means of survival. If sweet little Wilbur gets positive attention, his owners will want him to live. Yippee! If not, then watch out because it's off to the butcher for this poor piggy. Those are some super high stakes: it's time for Wilbur to get famous, or die trying.
Questions About Admiration
- Does Wilbur deserve all the admiration he's getting? Why do you think he's an admirable pig? Or why might he not be quite so admirable?
- Why do you think Charlotte gets ignored so much? Who admires her? Is it enough? Why doesn't she weave "SOME SPIDER" into her web?
- What are the good things about being admired? How about the bad?
Chew on This
It's great to be in the spotlight. Wilbur gets tons of attention, and this is a good thing.
It's better to be on the sidelines. Charlotte stays out of the limelight, and that's the way it should be.