How did Charlotte, the spider in Charlotte's Web, die?

Question

My boyfriend says her children ate her. I say she died of old age. Can anyone tell me for sure and possibly quote the book?

Answer 1

She died of natural causes.

Excerpt of quotes supporting this:

“Listen to me!” cried Wilbur. “Charlotte is very ill. She only has a short time to live. She cannot accompany us home, because of her condition. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that I take her egg sac with me. I can’t reach it, and I can’t climb. You are the only one that can get it. There is not a second to be lost. The people are coming—they’ll be here in no time. Please, please, please, Templeton, climb up and get the egg sac.”

"Templeton crept into the crate and buried himself in the straw. He got out of sight just in time. Lurvy and John Arable and Mr. Zuckerman came along at that moment, followed by Mrs. Arable and Mrs. Zuckerman and Avery and Fern. Wilbur had already decided how he would carry the egg sac—there was only one way possible. He carefully took the little bundle in his mouth and held it there on top of his tongue. He remembered what Charlotte had told him—that the sac was waterproof and strong. It felt funny on his tongue and made him drool a bit. And of course he couldn’t say anything. But as he was being shoved into the crate, he looked up at Charlotte and gave her a wink. She knew he was saying good-bye in the only way he could. And she knew her children were safe.

“Good-bye!” she whispered. Then she summoned all her strength and waved one of her front legs at him.

She never moved again."


http://www.npr.org/programs/death/readings/stories/ebwhite2.html

Answer 2

Old age. I also think that once spiders lay thier eggs they die but im not for sure.

Answer 3

old age, after she gave birth. i don't think her kids ate her though, not in the book at least, but i could see how someone might come to that conclusion.

Answer 4

spiders die after giving birth

so she died naturally

the babys did not eat her

Answer 5

old age