Charlotte's Web Drama Check

Which choice best shows how the play’s farm setting influences the plot in Act One? (RL 6.5)

• Wilbur was born with a new litter of pigs during the middle of the night.

• Wilbur hears a rooster and other animals early in the morning.

• Wilbur is almost killed because Mr. Arable thinks runts make trouble on the farm.

• Wilbur has breakfast inside with the family rather than in the barn.

 Part A. Which choice best describes the main conflict in the scene from Charlotte's Web? (RL 6.3)

• Mr. Arable plans to kill a pig for breakfast for his family, but Fern does not want to eat it.

• Mr. Arable is going to kill the smallest, weakest pig, but Fern does not want him to. 

• Fern wants to have a pig for a pet, but her parents do not want her to have one.

• Fern wants to take care of a newborn pig, but Avery thinks he should get the pig.

 Part B: Which choice best describes how Fern responds to the conflict? (RL 6.3)

• She pleads with her father and argues it would be unfair to kill the pig.

• She runs into the house so she will not see her father kill the pig. 

• She finds a baby's nursing bottle and begins to feed the pig.

• She puts herself between her father and the pig to stop him.

Part A: Which description of Fern's character is most developed by the dialogue in the scene from Charlotte's Web? (RL 6.3)

• Fern has a strong sense of right and wrong.

• Fern is clever and gets what she wants.

• Fern does not get along well with her brother.

• Fern is unhappy with life on the farm.

 Part B: Which line of dialogue from the scene best supports the aspect of Fern’s character described in Part A? (RL 6.1)

• ARABLE: (after a pause) Oh … all right. I’ll let you take care of it for a little while. (WILBUR collapses in relief.)

• MRS. ARABLE: You can start him on a bottle, like a baby. I’ll go look for one. (She exits.)

• AVERY: Can I have a pig, too, Pop?

• ARABLE: No, I only distribute pigs to early risers who are trying to rid the world of injustice. Let’s eat. (He and AVERY exit.)

 Part A: Which mood does the author create in Act 1? (RL 6.4 - mood)

• Lighthearted

• Matter of Fact

• Suspenseful

• Violent

 Part B: Which two pieces of evidence from the play best supports the answer to Part A? (RL 6.1)

• “THIRD MEMBER. Now, where should we start? Wait a minute. We’ve already started. It’s early morning. We’re at the Arables’ farm. Some pigs were born during the night. For now, that’s all you need to know.

• “FERN: I don’t see why he needs an ax.

  MRS. ARABLE: (offstage) Well, one of the pigs is a runt. It’s very small and weak. (WILBUR looks about in alarm, then points to himself and mouths “me?”) So your father has decided to do away with it. (WILBUR runs to a downstage corner in fear.)”

• “(JOHN ARABLE, Fern’s father, enters from another direction, carrying an ax.)

  FERN: (shielding WILBUR who cringes behind her) Papa, please don’t kill it. It’s unfair. (WILBUR nods vigorously.)”

• “(AVERY, Fern’s older brother, enters. He carries an air rifle in one hand and a wooden dagger in the other.)

  AVERY: What’s going on? What’s Fern doing over there?”

• “FERN: My very own pig. (WILBUR smiles.) Now, I have to name you. A perfect name for a perfect pig. (She thinks for a moment.) Fred. That’ a good name … but not for you. Clarence … no, you don’t look like a Clarence … Maximillion. Because you’re worth a million to me. (A pause. BOTH laugh and shake their heads.) Maybe I’m trying too hard. Let’s see … Barney, Herman, Lawrence, Newton, Morris, Warren, Willie, Wilbur, William … (WILBUR nudges her.) Wait a minute. Wilbur. (WILBUR nods. FERN tries out the name.) Willll-bur. (WILBUR smiles and nods furiously.) Wilbur! What a beautiful name!”

 Part A: How is Damon from “Damon and Pythias” similar to Fern from “Charlotte’s Web?” (RL 6.9)

• Both characters make selfish decisions.

• Both characters stand up for themselves.

• Both characters have to put their trust in their friends. 

• Both characters challenge authority to protect the life of their friend. 

 Part B: Choose one detail from each passage that supports the answer to Part A.

• “DAMON:  [Begging]  Your majesty!  I beg of you!  Let Pythias go home for a few days to bid farewell to his mother and sister.  He gives his word that he will return at your appointed time.  Everyone knows that his word can be trusted.”

• “DAMON:  I’m so certain of Pythias that I am offering to die in his place if he fails to return on time.”

• “THIRD VOICE:  Still would an honorable man like Pythias let such a good friend die for him?”

• “FERN: But it’s unfair. The pig couldn’t help being born small, could it? (WILBUR shakes his head.) This is the most terrible case of injustice I’ve ever heard of. (WILBUR nods.)”

• “MRS. ARABLE: Stop, Fern! Don’t yell. Your father is right. The pig would probably die anyway.”