Chapter 8 · Charlotte's Web

Copywork

"I worry about Fern," she said. "Did you hear the way she rambled on about the animals, pretending that they talked?"

Read the second sentence aloud in Mrs. Arable's voice. What does the word "pretending" tell you about what she thinks?

Narration Tell what Fern says at the breakfast table, and how her mother and father answer, in order. Slow down at the end, after Fern runs upstairs.

Mrs. Arable stares at Fern with a worried look. What do you think is worrying her? What makes you think so? Inference
Fern lists everybody in the barn cellar as "us", and she counts herself in. What does that show about how she sees the barn? Theme
Mrs. Arable says she will ask Dr. Dorian about Fern. Is that a caring thing to do? What makes you think so? Moral reasoning
Mr. Arable chuckles and says, "Maybe they do talk." Is he joking, or does he half mean it? What makes you think so? Tone
Most of this chapter is people talking at breakfast. Why might the author let us hear the family talk instead of telling us what happens in the barn? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time you told someone about something you loved and they did not quite understand.

worry: "I worry about Fern," she said. To feel uneasy that something may go wrong.
rambled: the way she rambled on about the animals Talked on and on without a clear point.
pretending: pretending that they talked Making believe something is true.
queer: gazing at her daughter with a queer, worried look. Odd; not what you expect.
vaguely: said Mrs. Arable, rather vaguely. In a way that is not clear or sure.
adores: Wilbur adores her. Loves very much.
imagination: she's just got a lively imagination. The power to picture things that are not there.
normal: I don't think it's normal. What is usual and expected.
chuckled: Mr. Arable chuckled. Laughed softly.

Fern tells her family what Charlotte said when the goslings hatched. Why does she tell it, do you think? Give two reasons from the chapter.
Mrs. Arable keeps asking Fern who and what: who Charlotte is, what she looks like. What does that show about how she listens? Give two reasons.
Fern says Charlotte "catches flies and sucks their blood." She also says Wilbur adores her. What does that show about how Fern sees Charlotte? Give two reasons.