Abstract：E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web is widely known all around the world as an anthem of friendship and life and even a “miracle”. In this great novel, the pure, impeccable friendship touches a lot of people. This thesis is an exploration of the theme friendship of Charlotte’s Web. E. B. White describes not only the friendship between a spider, Charlotte and a pig, Wilbur, but also the relationship between Templeton and other animals to highlight the value of former friendship. In this thesis, I analyze the two relationships in detail. From the friendship between Charlotte and Wilbur, we can see that friendship should have no external precondition; friendship is something about supporting and even sacrificing for each other; friendship elevates each other. From the relationship between Templeton and other animal, we can see that friendship is not about asking for something in return. To study the theme of friendship is of great significance. In contemporary society where the material life gets richer while the spiritual world becomes barren, human relations have gradually become indifferent, which makes this study more thought-provoking.
Key words: E. B. White Charlotte’s Web friendship
中文摘要：E· B·怀特的《夏洛的网》广为人知， 是一首关于友情和生命的礼赞诗，可以称作是一种奇迹。在这篇巨作中，那纯粹无暇的友情深深打动了无数人。本文就是就友情这一主题展开探究。文中，E. B.怀特为读者既描绘了蜘蛛，夏洛和小猪，威尔伯的深刻友情，同时又描写了老鼠，坦普尔顿和周围小动物的关系去突出友情的珍贵。 笔者就这两种关系进行详细的分析。从夏洛和威尔伯的友情，有以下几点所得：友情没有外在前提；友情意味着互相支持，甚至牺牲；友情有助于提升双方。从坦普尔特和周围人的关系发现，企图有所回报的友情不能称之为友情。而研究夏洛的网的友情主题对当代社会意义重大：物质生活的日益丰富，而人们的精神世界却越发的空虚，人们的人际关系逐渐淡漠，本文中友情的探究势必会引发大家思考。
关键词：E· B·怀特 《夏洛的网》 友情
Charlotte’s web is an anthem of friendship and life and a “miracle”. And as E. B. White said: “All that I ever hope to say in books is that I love the world. I guess you can find that in there, if you dig around. Animals are part of my world and I try to report them faithfully and with respect.” (nytimes.com) .This story is also a song of love.
Based on some great ideas of several writers including E. B. White and my thoughts after reading some articles, I do appreciate the friendship represented in this novel. And the author focuses on two relationships to highlight the value of the one between Charlotte and Wilbur. The friendship between them forces us into deep thought. Friendship should no external precondition. Everyone has the same chance in front of friendship. No one is nobler than others and no one is more humble. Equality is the shadow of friendship. However, a kind heart is necessary, which can be seen by the contrast between the friendship of Charlotte and Wilbur and the relationship between Templeton and other animals. People can be ugly but cannot have an evil heart; Friendship is something about supporting and sacrificing for each other. When you are someone’s friends, you can no longer yourself any more. You have some responsibility when you enjoy the sweetness of friendship. You need take care of your friend; support him/her when they need you, even sacrifice for them; friendship can elevate each other. You will learn something through the friendship. You change in this friendship. Charlotte is no longer a spider who lives and no other meanings but a friend has an amazing prize while Wilbur is growing up to be some “adult”. They elevate themselves in this friendship.
