Research Paper on:
Examination of Supporting Characters in Ozma of Oz and Charlotte's Web

Unformatted Sample Text from the Research Paper:
status without the help of Charlotte and Billina respectively, this is not to say that this should be seen as diminishing the moral worth of these characters in any way.  In the traditional hero-quest stories, it is accepted that the protagonist will not become a true hero without the help of others along the way, either to assist him in  the tasks he must complete or to give him essential advice without which he cannot proceed.  In the Odyssey, for example, Odysseus is given practical help even by those characters who would prefer not to (Calypso, for instance, who knows  that helping him to leave her island means she will lose him forever) and even descends into the Underworld to find wisdom which is not available in the world of  the living, and without which he cannot complete his journey. In the chivalric romances of the Middle Ages, the knight on his quest invariably encounters beings, both human and supernatural,  in the course of his journey: some of these present a challenge and must be conquered, it is true, but others have the capacity to provide him with weapons, supplies,  or knowledge which is essential to him if he is to complete his tasks and become a true hero.  In Charlottes Web, there is a very strong focus not only on the help which Charlotte herself gives Wilbur,  but also on the need for cooperation and unity from all concerned if Wilbur is to escape his allotted fate. For instance, if Fern had not rescued Wilbur from the