4. School lets out for the summer, and Fern visits Wilbur almost every day. The
goose’s eggs hatch, and Charlotte announces the goslings’ arrival to the barnyard
animals. One egg does not hatch, however. The goose gives it to Templeton, while
the gander warns Templeton that he had better stay away from the goslings.
Charlotte warns everyone that if the unhatched egg ever breaks, the stink from
the rotten egg will fill the whole barn.
Summer comes to the farm, and “the days grow warm and soft.” Flowers bloom,
and everywhere, children free from school frolic and play in the fields. Fern visits
the barn almost every day to sit quietly on her stool and watch Wilbur—all the
animals at the Zuckermans’ treat her “as an equal.” Fern and Avery often help
Homer harvest hay for the barn and spend their afternoons diving into the soft
bundles. Avery catches snakes and bugs in his pockets to bring home, and he and
Fern drink the milk and nectar of various plants around the farm.
5. One day in early summer, the goose eggs hatch. Everyone congratulates the
goose and the gander on their new goslings. As Templeton scopes out the
situation, he sees that one egg has not hatched—the goose casually remarks
that it’s a “dud,” and tells Templeton that he can take it away and have it
for the collection of bits and bobs he hoards. The gander, though, warns
Templeton that if he ever pokes his “ugly nose” around the new goslings, there
will be trouble. The other animals often worry about Templeton, who has “no
morals, no conscience [and] […] no milk of rodent kindness.”
As Templeton starts to roll the egg away, Charlotte worries aloud about what
will happen if it breaks—the smell of a broken rotten egg is “a regular stink
bomb.” Templeton assures everyone he’ll take good care of the egg, and as he
stores it in his hidey-hole beneath Wilbur’s trough, the other barn animals coo
and fuss over the baby goslings.
9. Fern—The human protagonist in the novel. She is also responsible for
helping to save Wilbur's life at the beginning of the book.
Avery—Fern's older brother.
Mr. Zuckerman—Fern's uncle. He purchases Wilbur to give him a home until
Christmas, which is when he plans to slaughter him.
Human characters
10. Charlotte—The spider who became Wilbur's new friend in Chapter 5.
The goose—The mother of the goslings. She is also responsible for tending
to the eggs and keeping them warm.
The gander—The father of the goslings. He is responsible for the safety
of the goslings after they hatch.
Animal characters
11. The seven goslings—The babies of the goose and gander. While they do
not have speaking roles at this time, they play an integral part in the
chapter.
Wilbur—The animal protagonist in the novel. The story centers around him
and his journey.
Templeton—A rat with no conscience or sense of right and wrong. He lives
beneath the trough in the barn.
Animal characters
12. Definition of terms
Congratulations Dud
Gratified
having pleasure or
satisfaction
something you
tell someone to
show that you
are pleased
about something
they have done
a thing that
cannot be used
because it does
not work
properly
14. Just as Fern treats the barnyard animals as equals, they too treat her as one of
their own, and regard her with esteem. Fern and Avery are deeply immersed in the
natural world as summer descends, and clearly have great love and respect for it.
Even in the bliss of high summer, with the joy of new birth in the air, there is, for the
animals, the constant threat of subterfuge and brutality. The animals of the barnyard
have learned how to live with one another, and make deals and sacrifices to appease each
other’s natural instincts.
Even as the animals celebrate the goose and gander’s new goslings, the
threat of the dud egg—and the death it represents—lingers over the
barnyard.
16. Chapter 6 of "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White, titled "Summer Days," focuses on the
activities that take place on the farm during the summer months. The chapter begins
by describing the various creatures that inhabit the farm, including the barn
swallows, the cows, and the horses. The narrator also mentions how the animals
enjoy the warm weather, especially Wilbur, who spends most of his days lounging in
the sun.
As the chapter progresses, the focus shifts to the relationship between Wilbur and
Charlotte. Charlotte begins to teach Wilbur about the world around him, explaining
the various insects and plants that inhabit the farm. She also begins to share her
wisdom with him, telling him that he needs to start thinking about what he wants to
accomplish in life. This foreshadows the central theme of the novel, which is the
importance of having a purpose and a sense of meaning in life.
17. Overall, Chapter 6 serves as a transitional chapter in the novel. It moves the plot
forward by setting up the central conflict of the story, which is Wilbur's impending
slaughter. It also deepens the relationship between Wilbur and Charlotte and
provides insight into the themes that will be explored throughout the novel.
In terms of literary techniques, White's use of personification is particularly notable
in this chapter. He gives the animals human-like qualities, which makes them more
relatable and helps the reader connect with them on an emotional level. Additionally,
the chapter's descriptions of the natural world are rich and vivid, providing a
sensory experience for the reader.
In summary, Chapter 6 of "Charlotte's Web" is a pivotal chapter that sets up the
central conflict and themes of the novel. It deepens the relationship between Wilbur
and Charlotte and uses personification and vivid descriptions to bring the world of
the farm to life.
19. What happens in Chapter 6
of Charlotte's Web?
The beginning of summer is introduced in Chapter 6 of Charlotte's
Web. In the chapter, the reader also sees the birth of seven
goslings. An eighth egg is a "dud" that does not hatch. This "dud"
egg is given to Templeton by the goose and gander.
20. What do the farm animals think
of Templeton in Chapter 6?
The farm animals do not think highly of Templeton in Chapter
6. They describe him as lacking conscience and having no sense
of right and wrong.
21. Why were the goose and the gander
worried about Templeton?
The goose and gander gave their unhatched "dud" egg to
Templeton. They gave him the "dud" to try and keep him from
harming any of their newly hatched goslings. They do not trust
that he will not harm them or cause them trouble.
