My American Icon: Charlotte's Web

Studio 360

InAmerican Icons, we explore works of art that help us understand our nation, and what it means to be an American. From Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass to Cindy Sherman's Untitled Film Stills, these classics have endured because they deal with issues we still care about today. What works of art do you think should be American Icons? We're taking suggestions for the final episode in our season of American Icons.

(Scroll down to submit your American Icon idea)

Listener Tess Foley, from Connecticut, nominated E.B. White's Charlotte's Web. Decades after first reading the book, Foley is still drawn to Charlotte the spider's defense of Wilbur, the runt pig. Charlotte sees Wilbur's worth, despite his vulnerability and obvious (to a farmer) shortcomings. "That's what we're all called to do for each other all the time," Foley says.


Nominate your American IconWhat's your American Icon?

Suggest a novel, movie, song, play, building, or other piece of American culture that you think deserves the spotlight on Studio 360. We'll talk with some of you on-air and pick one new Icon to cover at the end of this season.

Submit your American Icon


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