Archetypes:Roles and Journeys

                During the whole entire book, my classmates an I were trying to figure out what roles did the characters play. Now that we have an understanding of the word Archetypes we were able to figure out thier roles and how their personality and actions had an effect on the type of journey the character took.
              
               Wilbur played the role of the hero. Even though it didnt seem like it at first, eventually his emotions, courage,  and reflection towards  the end of the book showed the hero inside of him. The journey he took is considered the "Loss of Innocence." This is basically a maturing story. In the beginning, middle, and most of the end you could tell he was still that helpless, fun, and immature pig that he was when Fern actually cared about him. But at the end of the book, when time started breezing by, Wilbur started to understand Life and the world around him. This was that point in the journey, where the mature part settled in.

               Charlotte had the role of the mentor. She assisted Wilbur in making him, "Some Pig." She also very much symbolized wisdom, knowledge, and experience. She also acted as a teacher, but not purposely, it was just something that happened when her use of strong vocabulary confused the mind of Wilbur. Her journey was the "Task." She had the assignment of making the web describe the pig with suitable words to stop Mr. Zuckerman from making Wilbur into bacon.

               Templeton had the role of the Shadow. He was always opposing Wilbur and at some points didnt care about if he lived, or died. The "Quest" was his journey, and did a lovely job of searching for the words that played a big role inn Wilbur's life. But nobody didnt seem to notice that he was a big part of Wilbur's life. (nobody being the animals)

               Before knowing about archetypes I didnt realize all characters have a journey or a role. I think all characters have some type of role but sometimes, its hard to figure out what it is. Before I finish this blog post, I want to add that E.B. White did a tremendous job of showing us the roles and journeys, of each,  Wilbur, Charlotte, and Templeton.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Templeton. Is he really that, bad?

Chapt.6 pg.46 "The rat had no morals, no conscience, no scruples, no decency, etc."
Chapt.9 pg.57 " Yes indeed" said Templeton "No trouble at all. Anything to oblige."
               
                According to all the animals on the barn, Templeton is the worst little creature you could ever meet. I'll try to keep the description of him, short and sweet. He has no kindness, no consideration towards others, no heart, nothing good to say, nothing to care about,(besides hurting others and his "wonderful" persona) a terrible and mean-looking expression on his face eeeveeeeery day, and never helps anyone, even if they were dying or going to die. But these are the only things that the animals think of him. They never really notice the good things about him, even if they are small. 

                All bad guys, whether from a comic book, a kids book, (Charlotte's Web) or even a Superman movie have a bit of good inside of them. Knowing this I tried to find that bit in Templeton, and I did. In chapter 9, i noticed that Templeton got out of the way of whatever he was doing, and helped Wilbur without any problem. It's funny because I remembered(while I read this part) what the animals said about him and thought they really don't see that Templeton is a good animal deep inside. Very deep inside. I also noticed a smile on his face. E.B White has been cautious of when to put a smile on his face, and when not to. The two times there was a smile on his face was in the only parts he has been helpful(besides when he helped Charlotte out). 

                This kind of reminds me of when my parents tell me, "You only hear what you want to hear." The same thing goes for the animals. They only think what they want to think, which is the reason why they don't notice those small helpful things that Templeton does.  

                The thing I have a hard time understanding is how the other animals don't realize that Templeton is one of the main reasons Wilbur is able to live another day in this unknown world. If he doesn't find those scraps and help Charlotte make a new word, Wilbur is just some nice meat and bacon. So I think Templeton is not so bad after all.   

                                                                   -Isaiah J. Russell 808

Charlotte's Web is not as "kiddie" as you think it is

Chapt.7 -"Well, I don't like to spread  bad news, but they're fattening you up because they're going to kill you, that's why."

                   I am starting to think that Wilbur does not want to be sad anymore. After all the loneliness and sadness he has been through, referring back to chapter 3 when Wilbur was sold and placed in a pile of manure to cry himself to sleep each day, he does not want to be without that person to make him feel good when he is down or upset. A Charlotte. 

                  No one wants to be in a situation where nobody wants to be your friend or nobody really cares about you so I know why he wouldn't want to be in that spot again. Like when your the new kid in school and everyone treats you like crap. All you want is someone to talk to, not to be treated like something that goes in a toilet. But if there is that one person that says things that would put you down all the time, You will be sad for a big chunk of your life. Like the goat. I went absolutely nuts when I read the part where she said they are going to kill you you know to Wilbur. Wilbur just started to feel at home, I mean, he just met Charlotte for God sakes and then she had to ruin the rest of the day with that one silly comment. Even though it does save Wilbur's life in the end, it really isn't necessary especially if you know that he is still being welcomed into the new barn and getting to know the others pretty well.It is also very clever of E.B White to add a "mean" expression in almost all the pictures with the goat in it. Just like Templeton, you can tell what kind of animal they are by the pictures. Not just the words. 
                 Right now there hasn't been any sadness in Wilbur's thoughts and conversations. Maybe because he doesn't want anything to get in the way of his happiness, and friendship with Charlotte? I'll just have to read more of the book to find out I guess.
                So far, this book has proven to be a deep book.Wilbur has shown a great character with all the expressed emotions he has shown me and my classmates, E.B White on the other hand has done a great job of telling us reader/writers that it's not a book just made for kids, it is a book about emotions, feelings, and other deep discussable topics. Which is why, Charlotte's Web isn't as "kiddie" as you think it is.




                                                                                                                                    -Isaiah J Russell 808