Quote 21
"I don't want to die!" screamed Wilbur, throwing himself to the ground.
"You shall not die," said Charlotte, briskly.
"What? Really?" cried Wilbur. "Who's going to save me?"
"I am," said Charlotte.
"How?" asked Wilbur.
"That remains to be seen. But I am going to save you, and I want you to quiet down immediately. You're carrying on in a childish way. Stop your crying! I can't stand hysterics." (7.22-26)
Wilbur is so upset about dying that he starts throwing a tantrum. We can understand; the little guy is definitely scared. But Charlotte is not about to stand for such shenanigans. What do you think about her reaction to Wilbur?
Quote 22
"Charlotte?" he said, softly.
"Yes, Wilbur?"
"I don't want to die."
"Of course you don't," said Charlotte, in a comforting voice. (9.62)
Wilbur is pretty upfront with his feelings about death. He doesn't want to die, and that's that. Check out how Charlotte has changed her tune a bit. Before she was pretty harsh. But now she's a bit softer when she talks to Wilbur. Why do you think this happens?
Quote 23
Wilbur closed his eyes. "Charlotte," he said, after a while, "do you really think Zuckerman will let me live and not kill me when the cold weather comes? Do you really think so?"
"Of course," said Charlotte. "You are a famous pig and you are a good pig. Tomorrow you will probably win a prize. The whole world will hear about you. Zuckerman will be proud and happy to own such a pig. You have nothing to fear, Wilbur—nothing to worry about. Maybe you'll live forever—who knows? And now, go to sleep." (18.28-29)
Charlotte sounds pretty confident. Actually, maybe she's a little over-confident. Does the novel suggest there's a chance for Wilbur to live forever? Or is Charlotte just making things up?
Quote 24
"How?" asked Wilbur.
"That remains to be seen. But I am going to save you, and I want you to quiet down immediately. You're carrying on in a childish way. Stop your crying! I can't stand hysterics." (7.22-26)
Charlotte thinks Wilbur is acting pretty immaturely. Of course, he did just find out that he'll probably be killed and turned into bacon and ham, so maybe she should cut him some slack. Do you agree with Charlotte's annoyance? Is Wilbur is acting "childish" here?
"Get up!" screamed Wilbur. "Stop acting like a spoiled child!"
Templeton grinned and lay still. (21.38-39)
When Wilbur realizes that Charlotte's egg sac needs to be fetched before the Zuckermans head back to their farm, he demands that Templeton help out. And what does Templeton want to do? Nothing at all, that's what. Check out how Wilbur takes charge here. It doesn't sound like he's an infant anymore. Instead of being the one acting like a child, now Wilbur is the one giving the orders.