Charlotte's Web
Wilbur the pig is scared of the end of the season, because he knows that come that time, he will end up on the dinner table. He hatches a plan with Charlotte, a spider that lives in his pen, to ensure that this will never happen.
The film earned $5.2M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Charlotte's Web (1973) exemplifies carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Iwao Takamoto's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 34 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.2, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Wilbur
Charlotte
Fern Arable
Templeton
Goose
Main Cast & Characters
Wilbur
Played by Henry Gibson
A young pig saved from slaughter who forms a deep friendship with Charlotte the spider.
Charlotte
Played by Debbie Reynolds
A wise and compassionate spider who saves Wilbur through her weaving and becomes his greatest friend.
Fern Arable
Played by Pamelyn Ferdin
A kind-hearted girl who saves Wilbur as a runt and advocates for his life.
Templeton
Played by Paul Lynde
A gluttonous and selfish rat who reluctantly helps Charlotte and Wilbur in exchange for food.
Goose
Played by Agnes Moorehead
A motherly and talkative goose who befriends Wilbur and offers advice.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Fern's father prepares to kill the runt piglet with an axe. Fern's world is the farm where life and death follow natural, unsentimental cycles.. The analysis reveals that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Wilbur arrives at Zuckerman's barn, alone and terrified. The old sheep casually reveals that Wilbur will be slaughtered for Christmas dinner. Wilbur's innocent world is shattered by the knowledge of his own mortality.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Wilbur chooses to trust Charlotte completely. He stops trying to save himself and surrenders to her guidance. This leap of faith marks his commitment to their friendship and the beginning of his transformation., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Significantly, this crucial beat The Zuckermans decide to take Wilbur to the County Fair. False victory: Wilbur seems saved by his fame, but Charlotte knows the truth. She quietly begins preparing her egg sac, aware she's dying. Stakes raise: this will be Charlotte's final performance., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 69 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Wilbur wins second place, not first. It might not be enough to save him. Worse: Charlotte reveals she's dying and cannot return to the barn. Wilbur faces the loss of his dearest friend, the "whiff of death" that has haunted the entire story., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 75 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Wilbur realizes what he must do: save Charlotte's egg sac and children. He combines Charlotte's selflessness with his own loyalty. Templeton reluctantly helps retrieve the egg sac. Wilbur chooses to honor Charlotte by protecting her legacy., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Charlotte's Web's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Charlotte's Web against these established plot points, we can identify how Iwao Takamoto utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Charlotte's Web within the family genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional family films include The Black Stallion, The Bad Guys and Ella Enchanted.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Fern's father prepares to kill the runt piglet with an axe. Fern's world is the farm where life and death follow natural, unsentimental cycles.
Theme
Fern's mother tells her, "Everyone has to die sometime." This casual acceptance of mortality introduces the story's central question: What gives a life meaning in the face of inevitable death?
Worldbuilding
Fern saves Wilbur and raises him as a pet. We see their bond deepen, the farm's rhythms, and Wilbur's innocence. When Wilbur grows too large, he's sold to Homer Zuckerman's barn, separating Fern from her beloved pig.
Disruption
Wilbur arrives at Zuckerman's barn, alone and terrified. The old sheep casually reveals that Wilbur will be slaughtered for Christmas dinner. Wilbur's innocent world is shattered by the knowledge of his own mortality.
Resistance
Wilbur despairs and searches for help. The barn animals offer little comfort. Charlotte the spider appears from the shadows, offering cryptic reassurance. Wilbur is skeptical but desperate. Charlotte promises to save him but doesn't reveal how yet.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Wilbur chooses to trust Charlotte completely. He stops trying to save himself and surrenders to her guidance. This leap of faith marks his commitment to their friendship and the beginning of his transformation.
Mirror World
Charlotte reveals the first web with "SOME PIG" woven in it. The miracle appears at dawn. This introduces the thematic relationship: Charlotte uses creativity, intelligence, and self-sacrifice to give meaning to Wilbur's life.
Premise
The promise of the premise: watching Charlotte's clever plans unfold. "TERRIFIC" and "RADIANT" appear in successive webs. Wilbur becomes a celebrity. Fern visits regularly. The bond between Charlotte and Wilbur deepens. The fun of watching them outwit death together.
Midpoint
The Zuckermans decide to take Wilbur to the County Fair. False victory: Wilbur seems saved by his fame, but Charlotte knows the truth. She quietly begins preparing her egg sac, aware she's dying. Stakes raise: this will be Charlotte's final performance.
Opposition
At the fair, Wilbur faces a larger rival pig. Charlotte weakens visibly as she creates her masterpiece: "HUMBLE." Templeton the rat must be bribed to help. Charlotte's strength fades with each web. Time is running out for both the competition and Charlotte's life.
Collapse
Wilbur wins second place, not first. It might not be enough to save him. Worse: Charlotte reveals she's dying and cannot return to the barn. Wilbur faces the loss of his dearest friend, the "whiff of death" that has haunted the entire story.
Crisis
Wilbur sits with Charlotte through her final night, devastated. She explains that her children will live on through her egg sac. Wilbur processes the unbearable pain of losing the one who saved him. Charlotte says goodbye, her work complete.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Wilbur realizes what he must do: save Charlotte's egg sac and children. He combines Charlotte's selflessness with his own loyalty. Templeton reluctantly helps retrieve the egg sac. Wilbur chooses to honor Charlotte by protecting her legacy.
Synthesis
Wilbur returns home with the egg sac, now permanently safe from slaughter due to his fame. Winter passes. Spring comes. Charlotte's children hatch. Most fly away, but three remain: Nellie, Aranea, and Joy. The cycle continues. Wilbur becomes the guardian.
Transformation
Wilbur watches Charlotte's children with peace and maturity. The pig who once feared death now understands legacy, friendship, and meaning. He tells them about their mother: "It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both."