During the course of their short but meaningful Friendship, Charlotte and Wilbur learn The Influence of Words and use this influence to save Wilbur’s life. Why do you think the words that Charlotte spun were so powerful?

• Why was Charlotte so particular about the words she chose to use to describe Wilbur?
• Why did the humans think that Charlotte’s work was a miracle?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt aims to tie together two of the novel’s central themes and inspire students to examine the underlying reasons for why Charlotte’s demonstrations saved Wilbur’s life. The Influence of Words also connects to the novel itself; to encourage students to directly connect to the events of the novel, consider asking students to cite evidence from the novel to support their responses to this question.

Differentiation Suggestion: Advanced learners, students who demonstrate existential or naturalistic intelligences, or those interested in psychology and psychoanalysis can also attempt to tie the novel’s third central theme, The Inevitable and Fleeting Nature of Life, into the discussion prompt by addressing how mortality motivated Charlotte’s decisions and inspired her concern for Wilbur.