LiteraryEssay Sampler 1

In Charlotte’s Web, by E.B. White, a pig named Wilbur gets

a chance at life thanks to a little girl named Fern and a spider

named Charlotte. The author shows that a real friend will help you

even if he or she has nothing to gain from doing so.

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Throughout the book, Charlotte is always willing to help Wilbur.

She spins words into her web to save Wilbur’s life, even though

spinning the words is tiring and difficult for her. Charlotte is a true

friend. She helps Wilbur for one reason only—because she cares

about him.

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Templeton, the rat, on the other hand, is not a real friend to

Wilbur. Templeton is only willing to lend a hand when there is

something in it for him. When he is asked to help save Wilbur’s

life, he refuses at first, saying, “Let him die.” Later on, he agrees to

pitch in, but only because he wants to keep eating Wilbur’s meals.

At the end of the book, Wilbur shows that he has learned the

true meaning of friendship. He helps Charlotte by taking her egg

sac back to the barn, where he knows her babies will be safe. He

does this deed not for selfish reasons, but out of concern for his

friend.

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In Charlotte’s Web, the author shows that a real friend will help

you even if he or she has nothing to gain from doing so. Reading

this book made me realize how important it is to help others. Being

a good friend means being there when you are needed.

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