Charlottes web

A major theme that runs though Charlotte’s Web is that of cycles of life, especially death and rebirth. Many things change for the characters in chapter 19. Wilbur goes though a metaphorical birth and death. Charlotte is at the start of her physical death and rebirth. And Fern has moved on from her friendship with Wilbur.

This is highlighted at the start of chapter 19. The chapter starts at the beginning of a new day, this is symbolic of what is about to go on in the story. The start of a new day is the start of that days ‘life’ or the start of its cycle. When night comes it the day ‘die’s’ it comes to the end of its cycle. And the next day it is ‘reborn’ and it starts its cycle again. This mirrors the metaphorical death and rebirth Wilbur is about to go on and the Charlotte’s physical death and rebirth.

Wilbur (if has know it or not) has been avoiding death all his life. When he was first born Mr Arable was going to kill him for being a runt. But he was saved...