The suspense in Charlotte's Web is clear from the very first line when Fern asks, "Where's Papa going with that ax?" The reader soon learns that her father is targeting Wilbur, making the central question whether Wilbur will survive. Will Fern, Charlotte the spider, or any of the other animals manage to save him? According to Fern, justice demands that every living creature, even a runt pig, deserves a full life. However, the practical farmer views the runt as a nuisance and a source of food, necessitating its slaughter in the fall. Wilbur's life remains precariously balanced throughout the story.

It's rare to find someone who is both a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte embodies both qualities.
Fern serves as a bridge between the human and animal worlds. She spends time in the barn, observing the animals' behaviors, but when she tries to tell her parents that pigs and spiders can talk, the divide between the two worlds becomes evident. None of the other human characters—Fern's parents or the Zuckermans—believe her, and Fern's worried mother even consults the family doctor about her "delusions." The main adult characters are so practical that, without some extraordinary intervention, Wilbur's fate seems inevitable. Fern saves him once but cannot do so again.

The necessary intervention comes from within the barnyard itself, from two unexpected sources: a small gray spider motivated by friendship, and a barnyard rat named Templeton, driven by selfish motives. E.B. White uses these unconventional heroes to highlight an important point about heroism. First, Charlotte defies traditional hero stereotypes. She is small, seemingly powerless, and weak, yet her friendship with Wilbur and her selfless actions show that nobility isn't about appearance or strength. Second, Templeton contradicts every heroic ideal; he is repulsive, greedy, and extremely selfish, only helping Wilbur when his base desires are appealed to. However, his help is crucial: he finds words for Charlotte's web messages and even rescues her egg sac at one point. Templeton's actions prove that good can emerge from the most unlikely sources.

Ultimately, Charlotte and Templeton do not collaborate to achieve a good outcome; they act independently. This makes the story's heroism different from traditional narratives, as the conclusion is less predictable. The fact that good triumphs in this instance does not guarantee that good will always prevail.