Charlotte's Web — Chapter 1

About This Passage

E.B. White introduces Avery almost entirely through a single sentence about what he is carrying — a rifle and a dagger — before the boy says a word. The passage rewards close copying for three reasons: parallel structure ('an air rifle in one hand, a wooden dagger in the other'), a deliberate adult-register word choice ('heavily armed' applied to a ten-year-old), and characterization by object rather than adjective. Compare this to how Fern was introduced in the opening paragraphs and the author's method becomes visible.

Narration Prompt

In your own words, tell the story of Chapter 1 of Charlotte's Web. What were the most important moments? What made them important — and how do you know they were the ones that mattered most?

Discussion Questions

1. Fern calls saving the runt 'a matter of life and death.' Mr. Arable calls her reaction something she must 'learn to control.' The author shows us both views fully. Which claim does the chapter finally give more weight to — and what evidence makes you say so?
2. Mr. Arable's face changes at one specific moment — when Fern asks whether he would have killed her if she had been very small at birth. Why does that particular question break through when 'a weakling makes trouble' did not? What does his reaction reveal about him?

+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide