Bridge to Terabithia Essay Example
Bridge to Terabithia Essay Example

Bridge to Terabithia Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (530 words)
  • Published: April 3, 2018
  • Type: Essay
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Despite facing criticism from his father and peers for his love of painting and drawing, Jesse aspires to prove his masculinity and shed the label of a "sissy". However, with his family struggling through poverty, Jesse has limited opportunities for self-discovery during his crucial adolescent years. He practices tirelessly every morning in hopes of excelling in a more traditionally masculine activity. Although a new girl, Leslie Burke, dominates the recess races and shatters Jesse's dreams of winning, their unexpected friendship flourishes. Together, they create imaginative games and escape to their secret world called Terrestrial, where they can forget the pressures of school and family. Their time in Terrestrial strengthens them for the challenges of everyday life.As May Belle's Twenties are stolen by the school bully, Jess and Leslie plot revenge in the beloved grove where they

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often discuss Jesse's insecurities, especially when Leslie gets closer to her father. There, Leslie introduces Jess to the world of imagination by sharing literature such as Moby Dick and Hamlet, which also helps strengthen Jess's artistic talent. Together, they create their own fantasy games and engage in them with fervor, which strengthens their friendship. Though they face teasing at school for their friendship, it no longer affects Jess, and Leslie is not bothered by it at all. During holidays like Christmas and Easter, they celebrate together, exchanging gifts that accentuate their talents and interests. One Easter Sunday, Leslie joins Jess at church, where she is enraptured by the story of Christ. Overall, their friendship extends beyond Terabithia and is rooted in their shared creativity and youthful innocence.In spite of their belief that nonbelievers will go to hell and thei

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discomfort with this idea, Jess and his little sister May Belle remain best friends with Leslie. Through Leslie's friendship, Jess finds purpose in life that he never had before. A perfect day spent touring art galleries in Washington with his music teacher and crush, Miss Edmunds, makes Jess feel special, but when he returns home he learns devastating news: Leslie has drowned in the creek while swinging on a rope. Katherine Paterson's portrayal of Jess's pain and confusion emphasizes how Leslie had brought him to a new world and left him stranded there, feeling like an astronaut lost on the moon. Initially unable to cope without Leslie's support, Jess fears he will revert to his old self - fearful and insecure.Upon coming to terms with the sudden tragedy that has befallen him, the protagonist realizes that it is time for him to move on and take responsibility for both himself and his absent companion. He understands his duty to repay the world with the kindness and strength that Leslie had imparted on him when she entered his life. Though he is only able to hold onto Leslie's memory and their imaginative world of Terabithia to keep her spirit alive, he must leave his childhood behind in order to mature. Nevertheless, he recognizes that his younger sister May Belle deserves an enchanted childhood akin to the one they shared in Terabithia, and therefore he ensures that their imaginary kingdom does not die with its queen.

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