Bridge to Terabithia
All children can relate in someway to Katherine Patterson's Newberry Medal-winning children's novel, Bridge to Terabithia. The characters are realistic people who could be one's next door neighbors. From the shy and demure Jess to the vivacious and carefree Leslie, every kid can relate to one of the characters in this novel. The themes in this novel vary as much as the characters. Bridge to Terabithia is a good coming-of-age book that captures our imaginations and our hearts. Bridge to Terabithia is a story about a lonely boy, Jess Aarons, who grows up in a house where he is the only boy surrounded by four sisters and his mother. His father is there but always gone either working or looking for work. His greatest hope is to become the fastest runner in the fifth grade. All summer long he practices running but on the first day of school, he gets beat by the new girl, Leslie Burke. At first, she repels him. However, they soon become inseparable. Leslie and Jess are complete opposites. Jess is scared of a lot but Leslie is fearless. Leslie has imagination and inspiration and Jess envies that. L
He becomes a stronger person, less afraid of the world. " (90-91) Little do they know that this is no ordinary rain indeed for this is the last time Jess and Leslie ever go to Terabithia together again. In chapter seven, Jess' thoughts bring this symbol to light. An alarmed May Belle asks "But Leslie. After you stayed awhile and grew strong you had to move on. In chapter two, Leslie is the antagonist who defeats Jess in the race, but in chapter five, Leslie is the protagonist, along with Jess, defeating the giants who are threatening Terabithia. It is an escape from his dismal homelife and an escape from his chores, and escape from the kids at school. The hanging rope was the only way to enter Terabithia but for Jess, the only reason Terabithia was magical was Leslie. Jess does not need Leslie to enter Terabithia because although Leslie is gone, Terabithia will remain and live on with May Belle. Symbolism is a literary element that stands out most in this novel. During a heavy rain spell, Jess and Leslie go to Terabithia and Leslie says "Methinks some evil being has put a curse on our beloved kingdom. It was Leslie who had taken him from the cow pasture into Terabithia and turned him into a king. Death in itself is obviously an obstacle and Leslie's death is the hardest obstacle Jess has ever had to overcome. Her personality throughout the story remains essentially the same, but it is Jess who changes and is the dynamic character.
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