After Ms. Galang discussed the web in Charlotte's Web the other day, I started to think about the actual words on the web.
E.B. White cared a great deal about words (he did, after all, write what is considered by many to be the definitive writing style guide), and, since Mr. Zuckerman decides, on the basis of the words in the web, that Wilbur is too special to slaughter, it's really not too much of a stretch to say that the plot of Charlotte's Web hinges on the notion that words can literally save someone's life. It makes sense, therefore, that the words used to do just that are worth paying attention to!
Charlotte first writes "Some Pig," then "Terrific," then "Radiant," and finally, simply "Humble." The order of these words is interesting. When Charlotte is left to her own devices, she comes up with the relatively simple (and slightly ambiguous) praise "some pig!" She soon realizes that she needs to up the ante:
"I need new ideas for the web. People are already getting sick of reading the words 'Some Pig!' If anybody can think of another message, or remark, I'll be glad to weave it into the web. Any suggestions for a new slogan?" (87)
Once she is no longer limited by just her own vocabulary, and can rely on the other animals to suggest words (and provide their correct spelling), Charlotte is able to become more ambitious in her descriptions of Wilbur.
It makes sense that the words she weaves would paint an increasingly impressive picture of the pig--she is trying to convince people that a miracle is occurring, and she would certainly send a confusing message to the humans if the words became less impressive. If that was the case, it might mean that Wilbur was becoming less impressive, too!
I had actually forgotten what the final, triumphant word was when I reread Charlotte's Web. I imagined it would be something like "Magnificent!" or "Spectacular!" I thought it would be something that would increase the sense that Wilbur is amazing. Instead, E. B. White chose to use the word "humble." Why? He could just have easily had Templeton come across a used newspaper with a word like "phenomenal" or "miraculous," so why choose a word that emphasizes how little Wilbur himself thinks of himself?
That, of course, is why "humble" is so important--because it emphasizes that Wilbur can think. The use of “humble” in the web shifts the focus of the miracle being woven there. The other words describe how great Wilbur is, but great at what? After all, “terrific” could mean that he would make terrific bacon one day!
While I think Wilbur is a charming character, I can’t help but feel that he does little to deserve Charlotte’s first descriptions, and I think I’m not alone when I found myself agreeing with Mrs. Zuckerman’s observation that the writing in the web is a sign that they “have no ordinary spider” on their farm (80). “Humble,” however, is different. By using it, Charlotte implies that Wilbur has a personality. He has feelings and emotions. Does a creature with feelings and emotions deserve to be slaughtered?
Wilbur doesn’t win first prize at the fair, and the final word written about him is simply “humble.” I think the message E.B. White is trying to express is that a person’s (or a pig’s) actions and personality are more important than simply being deemed The Best. After all, the fact that Uncle won the blue ribbon in no way means that his life was saved. In fact, his size probably means that he is even more likely to die.
Wilbur’s life wasn’t saved because Charlotte convinced people that he was better than all the other pigs. It wasn’t because he was a terrific pig, or even a radiant pig. Wilbur is allowed to live because Charlotte manages to show the world that he’s a remarkable, complex creature.
