Quote 1
"There can be no mistake about it. A miracle has happened and a sign has occurred here on earth, right on our farm, and we have no ordinary pig."
"Well," said Mrs. Zuckerman, "it seems to me you're a little off. It seems to me we have no ordinary spider."
"Oh, no," said Zuckerman. "It's the pig that's unusual. It says so, right there in the middle of the web." (11.19-21)
Who deserves more admiration: Wilbur or Charlotte? Mrs. Zuckerman gives the spider the credit; after all, she's the one who wove the web. (Shout out to writers!) But Mr. Zuckerman thinks the pig is the one who deserves admiration. Who do you agree with?
Quote 2
Everybody stood at the pigpen and stared at the web and read the word, over and over, while Wilbur, who really felt terrific, stood quietly swelling out his chest and swinging his snout from side to side.
"Terrific!" breathed Zuckerman, in joyful admiration. "Edith, you better phone the reporter on the Weekly Chronicle and tell him what has happened. He will want to know about this." (13.12-13)
Apparently Charlotte's propaganda is starting to work on Wilbur too. Remember how earlier Wilbur said he wasn't terrific? Well the sign seems to be changing his mind. The power of language is so strong that it can even change Wilbur's opinion of himself. And that's a huge deal.
Quote 3
"'Humble,'" said Mr. Zuckerman. "Now isn't that just the word for Wilbur!"
Everyone rejoiced to find that the miracle of the web had been repeated. Wilbur gazed up lovingly into their faces. He looked very humble and very grateful. Fern winked at Charlotte. (19.41-42)
The very last word Charlotte writes in the web is "Humble." We're thinking that this word is pretty different from the other phrases Charlotte has chosen. Plus, we hate to have to ask this, but is it really accurate to call a pig "humble" when he's been standing under signs saying "TERRIFIC" and "RADIANT" for weeks? Just saying.