The list of children’s books that pertain to the theme of death are numerous, but
one very well known book is Charlotte’s
Web. Written by E.B. White in 1952, Charlotte’s Web is a loved classic that
children all around the world have read and enjoyed. Interestingly enough, this
book has a strong theme of death.
Charlotte’s Web starts with the story of a young girl named Fern who moves to a farm and falls
in love with all the barn animals but in particular a little pig named Wilbur.
The story goes on to invite readers to look into the friendships formed between
the animals. A strong and tender friendhiop between Wilbur and a grey spider
named Charlotte is quickly formed. Charlotte is wise and loving towards Wilbur
and helps him find peace after he realizes his future consists of being made
into bacon. Charlotte goes so far as to come up with a plan to help Wilbur
escape his morbid fate. Her plan works and Wilbur is saved, and even gets to
perform at a local fair where Charlotte dies.
There are many different literature approaches to death. Some authors use death to
teach a lesson about morality, others use it for humor, some use death to teach
science, others use a purely realistic approach, and some simply use death as a
plot device (McClenethan). E.B. White approaches death in a realistic way in Charlotte’s Web.
Death is depicted as a natural part of life. Charlotte simply reaches the end of her life, and she
dies.
Although this book was written for children, author E.B. White does not sugar coat death
in the book. A quote towards the end of the book does not hide the dark,
depressing, and sad fact of Charlotte’s death. “Nobody, of the hundereds of
people that had visited the Fair, knew that a grey spider had played the most
important part of all. No one was with her when she died” (E.B. White). Death is
sad and lonely sometimes, and does not always allow the deceased to find glory
(Siebert).
When this book was written in 1952, the world was still in a slight state of shock
and disparity from the horrors of World War II. People were uncertain of how to
feel about death. White fearlessly approaches the topic of death and digs into
how individuals experience death, loss, and loneliness. If the book was left
described as this, many would feel that the book must be all together depressing
and sad. On the contrary, White provides beautiful pictures of love and
friendship throughout the story to contrast the sadness of death.
Charlotte's Web is a great example of a book written for children that explores
the theme of death in an appropriate way. Children come to understand that
although death is natural, life is still beautiful and friendship make life more
fulfilling.
Works Cited
“Charlotte’sWeb author E.B. White Born” This Day In History. A&E
History. 1996-2012. Web. 16 Dec. 2012
McClenathan, DayAnn. Tragic Themes In Children's Books: How
Universal Themes Of Death And Deprivation Are Dealt With In Children's Books
Today. n.p.: 1978. ERIC. Web. 16 Dec. 2012
Siebert, Dinah, and Judy C. Drolet. "Death Themes In Literature
For Children Ages 3-8." Journal Of School Health 63.2 (1993): 86-90.
ERIC. Web. 16 Dec. 2012
White, E. B. “Charlotte’s Web.” 1952. New York: Harper Collins
one very well known book is Charlotte’s
Web. Written by E.B. White in 1952, Charlotte’s Web is a loved classic that
children all around the world have read and enjoyed. Interestingly enough, this
book has a strong theme of death.
Charlotte’s Web starts with the story of a young girl named Fern who moves to a farm and falls
in love with all the barn animals but in particular a little pig named Wilbur.
The story goes on to invite readers to look into the friendships formed between
the animals. A strong and tender friendhiop between Wilbur and a grey spider
named Charlotte is quickly formed. Charlotte is wise and loving towards Wilbur
and helps him find peace after he realizes his future consists of being made
into bacon. Charlotte goes so far as to come up with a plan to help Wilbur
escape his morbid fate. Her plan works and Wilbur is saved, and even gets to
perform at a local fair where Charlotte dies.
There are many different literature approaches to death. Some authors use death to
teach a lesson about morality, others use it for humor, some use death to teach
science, others use a purely realistic approach, and some simply use death as a
plot device (McClenethan). E.B. White approaches death in a realistic way in Charlotte’s Web.
Death is depicted as a natural part of life. Charlotte simply reaches the end of her life, and she
dies.
Although this book was written for children, author E.B. White does not sugar coat death
in the book. A quote towards the end of the book does not hide the dark,
depressing, and sad fact of Charlotte’s death. “Nobody, of the hundereds of
people that had visited the Fair, knew that a grey spider had played the most
important part of all. No one was with her when she died” (E.B. White). Death is
sad and lonely sometimes, and does not always allow the deceased to find glory
(Siebert).
When this book was written in 1952, the world was still in a slight state of shock
and disparity from the horrors of World War II. People were uncertain of how to
feel about death. White fearlessly approaches the topic of death and digs into
how individuals experience death, loss, and loneliness. If the book was left
described as this, many would feel that the book must be all together depressing
and sad. On the contrary, White provides beautiful pictures of love and
friendship throughout the story to contrast the sadness of death.
Charlotte's Web is a great example of a book written for children that explores
the theme of death in an appropriate way. Children come to understand that
although death is natural, life is still beautiful and friendship make life more
fulfilling.
Works Cited
“Charlotte’sWeb author E.B. White Born” This Day In History. A&E
History. 1996-2012. Web. 16 Dec. 2012
McClenathan, DayAnn. Tragic Themes In Children's Books: How
Universal Themes Of Death And Deprivation Are Dealt With In Children's Books
Today. n.p.: 1978. ERIC. Web. 16 Dec. 2012
Siebert, Dinah, and Judy C. Drolet. "Death Themes In Literature
For Children Ages 3-8." Journal Of School Health 63.2 (1993): 86-90.
ERIC. Web. 16 Dec. 2012
White, E. B. “Charlotte’s Web.” 1952. New York: Harper Collins