Friendship, Humility, and the Complicated Morality of E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web

Phacharawan Boonpromkul
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Abstract

Charlotte’s Web (1952) by E. B. White is a classic children’s book praised for the memorable friendship between its two protagonists. This article explores the problematic bond that results from Wilbur’s greater demand on Charlotte and Charlotte’s act of devotion. It also examines the moral value of humility, from the word “humble” which Charlotte weaves to praise Wilbur, which can be questionable as it is intertwined with innocence or ignorance, and better suits Charlotte who is reticent of her accomplishment. That she must pass on without recognition casts doubt on the author’s presentation of friendship and the said moral value. Looking beyond White’s fictional work, it is not surprising to discover his lack of respect for traditional morality. Even so, the article finds that White does offer certain moral guidance to his young readers, but it is far from straightforward due to his frequent employment of evasion, humor, and irony.
e·b·怀特《夏洛特的网》中的友谊、谦逊和复杂的道德
e·b·怀特的《夏洛特的网》(1952)是一本经典的儿童读物,因其两位主人公之间令人难忘的友谊而受到称赞。这篇文章探讨了威尔伯对夏洛更大的要求和夏洛的奉献行为所导致的有问题的联系。它还审视了谦逊的道德价值,从夏洛特为赞美威尔伯而编织的“谦卑”这个词开始,这个词与天真或无知交织在一起,可能会受到质疑,但更适合对自己的成就保持沉默的夏洛特。她必须在没有得到承认的情况下去世,这让人对作者对友谊和上述道德价值的描述产生了怀疑。透过怀特的小说作品,不难发现他对传统道德缺乏尊重。即便如此,这篇文章发现怀特确实为他的年轻读者提供了一定的道德指导,但由于他经常使用逃避、幽默和讽刺,这远非直截了当。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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