He GAVE Fern that pig did he not?
But when you have all the power you can ungive just as easily as give, right?
Huh?
Supermodels...spoiled stupid little stick figures mit poofy lips who sink only about zemselves.
Mr. Arable also gets stern with Fern about having Wilbur sit at the table for a birthday party, and again when she doesn't want Wilbur to be sold. And yet when Avery has his pet frog at the breakfast table and the frog causes havoc, Mr. Arable is amused and doesn't even raise his voice! I wonder, however, if Avery got in trouble from his mother, e.g., after the scene ended?
shareYeah, Arable was a real douche, even in the book. I guess he just represents that stern, authoritative parent who stands in the way of their child's happiness to inject them with a heavy dose of reality.
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I know people say this a lot, but I think it was reflective of the times. There were often double standards with sons getting off easy for things that daughters were punished for.
shareA pig and a frog are two completely different things.
shareIf I remember correctly, he gave her the pig on the condition that she learn how hard it could be raising pigs. No doubt he forced her to sell Wilbur as part of her "education". That being said, I agree it cruel but wasn't nornmally a consideration at that time.
shareHe gave Fern the pig to teach her a lesson. Forcing her to sell it was no doubt meant to teach another lesson. A large number of people here seem to agree he was not nice.
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