Charlottes Web Sam Turner Sam Turner Gender Roles, Societal
Classes Carl Wong Carl Wong Textual Reference Erik Smalldon Erik
Smalldon Production Elements
Slide 3
Film Synopsis Charlottes Web is an animated film from 1973 put
out by Paramount Pictures and Hanna-Barbera based on E.B. Whites
classic childrens novel of the same name. Both focus on a little
pig named Wilbur who is spared from slaughter by a sweet young girl
on her fathers farm and the friendships and hardships he endures as
this little girl and himself grow up. Wilbur moves to a new farm
further away and as he grows apart from Fern, his first savior, his
loneliness is soothed by a new friend: Charlotte. When Wilbur is
then again on the chopping block, his new friend Charlotte devises
a clever scheme that saves his life once more. White, having his
own farm, wrote this story after the passing of his own sick pig,
saving his pig in retrospect. Our heroine Charlotte however, is not
spared, and the fate of us all is realized in her passing at the
end of this story and film. The ending of the story Charlotte's web
is sad,but relates to the real world. The main theme in Charlotte's
web is the reality of life and death, and having good friends and
acquaintances so you can be happy while you live your life. Wilbur
has Charlotte which makes him very happy throughout the film but
when she passes away in the end there is a hole in his heart.
Weales, Gerald (1970-05-24). "The Designs of E. B. White". The New
York Times.."The Designs of E. B. White"
Slide 4
Production The film Charlotte's Web (1973) is filled with some
lively characters such as Charlotte, Wilbur, and Templeton, who are
played by very good actors, whose voices fill the roles adequately.
I would say there are some downsides to the film such as all the
sing along songs and the "so-so" animation quality, but this was
produced in the 70s so film animation wasn't at its finest yet. The
film relates to the book for the most part but does not quite
compare to the text, which is usual for film-text adaptations. Even
E.B White was disappointed in the film because of all the sing
along songs and the "Disney -like interpretation" of the Blue Hill
Fair. White, E. B., Garth Williams, and Edith Goodkind Rosenwald.
Charlotte's Web. New York: Harper, 1952. Print. "Charlotte's Web
(1973) - IMDb." The Internet Movie Database (IMDb). Web. 02 Mar.
2011..http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070016/
Slide 5
Production Critics talk about how "The animation in the '70's
was still stuck in the Saturday-morning- cartoon format" where
instead of animating every individual cell, they would animate
every three to five cells, resulting in lower quality. Although
some critics look down upon the quality of the film animation, the
adapted story of E.B Whites text makes up for the animation
quality. This film was also made for entertainment purposes, not
only for children because of all the farm animals, but because of
the theme of the story on the reality of life and the process of
life and death. "Charlotte's Web (1973 Film)." Wikipedia, the Free
Encyclopedia. Web. 02 Mar.
2011..http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlotte's_Web_(1973_film)
Book Synopsis Charlottes Web is an award winning novel that was
written by E.B. White. Written in Whites dry, low key narrative it
is enjoyable for children and adults. Published at HarperCollins in
1952, and carries 192 pages. It became so wildly popular that it
has spawned multiple recreations, including movies and videogames.
Charlottes Web is an award winning novel that was written by E.B.
White. Written in Whites dry, low key narrative it is enjoyable for
children and adults. Published at HarperCollins in 1952, and
carries 192 pages. It became so wildly popular that it has spawned
multiple recreations, including movies and videogames.
Slide 8
Textual Snippet
Slide 9
Charlottes Web has many layers full of depth and meaning. One
of the first to bubble to the surface is gender roles. Though they
do not show any negative connotation, many of the females in the
book and movie are shown to be caring and kind. Fern is a young
girl that saves a young pigs life by acting out against her father.
She believes that all things have a right to live and acts on that
impulse. The same can be said about Charlotte. After meeting Wilbur
she is looked upon a maternal figure for Wilbur, caring for him as
she would a child.
Slide 10
Gender Roles Wilbur himself throughout the tale is viewed as
helpless, weak, and quite pitiful; relying on the saving grace of
the women in his life. Wilbur himself throughout the tale is viewed
as helpless, weak, and quite pitiful; relying on the saving grace
of the women in his life.
Slide 11
Women are heroic yet exemplify femininity and maternity. Fern
instinctually connects with the baby pig and thrusts herself into
the position of mother by forcing her father to spare the pigs
life; here the contrast of the murderous male figure is clearly
evident.
Slide 12
Later when Wilbur moves further away and is lonesome on his new
farm he is consoled and befriended by the compassionate and clearly
gifted spider Charlotte. Charlotte again saves Wilburs life by
devising a very intelligent scheme. She too has a maternal
relationship with Wilbur and later these aspects of the character
are defined by her bearing children. Charlotte sorrowfully dies
before the birth of her children, but her legacy lives on through
Wilburs retellings.
Slide 13
Class The animals are the focus but are ultimately viewed as
less than by most of the human class (Fern is the exception, and
for this reason a Heroine). Wilburs life is constantly hanging in
the balance because of the lack of regard for animal life that the
humans in this story have. At the fair the animals are gawked upon,
viewed as entertainment solely. The purpose of the animals in this
story are only to serve and benefit the human counterparts.
Slide 14
Classism The classism in this novel is a great reminder to be
good to not only your fellow man, but animals as well. Multiple
times in the novel it is pointed out that animals are used only for
what they are good for. The sheep grows wool, chickens plant eggs,
and pigs are eaten. Continually the author makes the farmer
stigmatizes the animals that are lower class than he. Bringing
issues that are still relevant in the 21 st century.
Slide 15
Discussion Is it shocking to find death as a central theme of a
childrens novel and animated film? Why or why not? Is it shocking
to find death as a central theme of a childrens novel and animated
film? Why or why not? Are there any heroes? Are there villains? Are
there any heroes? Are there villains? What role do the seasons
play? What role do the seasons play? Discuss the theme of miracles
in this film Discuss the theme of miracles in this film
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