Charlotte’s Web Summary: Plot, Characters and Ending
Charlotte's Web is the story of Wilbur, a pig saved from slaughter as a runt and then destined to be made into bacon, and Charlotte, a clever barn spider who saves his life by weaving words about him into her web.
It is one of the best-loved American children's books about friendship and loss.
| Character | Who they are |
|---|---|
| Wilbur | Young pig |
| Charlotte A. Cavatica | Wise gray barn spider |
| Fern Arable | Girl who saves Wilbur at birth |
| Templeton | Greedy rat |
| Homer Zuckerman | Fern's uncle, who buys Wilbur |
| The goose and sheep | Other barn animals |
How is Wilbur saved the first time?
Fern Arable stops her father from killing the runt of a litter, and she raises the piglet, Wilbur, like a baby. When he grows, he is sold to her uncle, Homer Zuckerman, down the road. Fern visits him every day and listens to the animals talk.
↑ Back to the topHow does Charlotte help?
Wilbur is lonely until a voice offers friendship: Charlotte, a spider in the doorway. The old sheep tells Wilbur that the Zuckermans are fattening him to kill at Christmas. Charlotte promises to save him. She weaves the words SOME PIG into her web. The Zuckermans and their neighbors are astonished, and Wilbur becomes famous. Templeton the rat fetches more words from the dump, and Charlotte writes TERRIFIC, then RADIANT.
↑ Back to the topWhat happens at the county fair?
Wilbur is taken to the county fair, and Charlotte goes with him, though she is tired and getting old. Templeton is bribed with fair food to bring one last word: HUMBLE. Wilbur wins a special prize, which means he will be spared. Meanwhile Charlotte lays her egg sac, her great work.
↑ Back to the topHow does Charlotte's Web end?
Charlotte is too weak to go home. Wilbur persuades Templeton to fetch the egg sac, and he carries it back to the barn in his mouth. Charlotte dies alone at the fairground. In spring hundreds of baby spiders hatch and float away on the breeze, but three stay in the barn. Wilbur loves them, and their children and grandchildren after them, but none of them ever replaces Charlotte, who was a true friend and a good writer.
↑ Back to the topMore about Charlotte’s Web
This summary reveals the whole plot, including the ending.