How Does Paterson Present Jesse In Bridge To Terabithia

In Bridge to Terabithia, the reader does face many difficult situations. However, Paterson does a wonderful job of creating these situations in realistic and knowledgeable ways that young readers can comprehend and not have a problem coping with. Paterson gives the reader rich text, that is full of emotion and the fascination of a fantasy world created by two young children. She introduces Terabithia in a way that lets the reader imagine a beautiful kingdom, and the two leaders manage the daily chores of the kingdom in way that is considered very original; “’Conquering the hostile savages on our northern borders,’ she answered. ‘But the lines of communication have been broken, and thus we do not have tidings of our beloved homeland for many
In the beginning of the novel, May Belle is seen only as a pest to Jesse; always following him and wanting to partake in the activities he is doing at that moment. Jesse doesn’t really understand how to be big brother and care for his little sisters without offending her, such as telling her not to follow them into Terabithia or that he just wants to play with Leslie who is his own age. However, Leslie treats May Belle as if she is her own little sister, subconsciously showing Jesse how to be a big brother. Many times she holds May Belle’s hand to get off the bus and even gives her her paper dolls she hasn’t even touched, while Jesse shuts her down most of the time. However by the end, Leslie has taught Jesse how to be big brother and care for his little sister. When May Belle follows him into Terabithia, she gets caught in the middle of the tree Jesse had placed across the flowing river. Jesse comes immediately to her rescue, taking care that she makes it to safety. Jesse transforms into the big brother that Leslie has helped him become without Jesse even knowing it. When Leslie dies Jesse is searching for the type of relationship he had with Leslie, and begins to share it with May Belle. The biggest scene that we read about this transformation is at the very end, when Jesse gives May Belle the kingdom of
However, she presents death in a very realistic way, creating a situation that can happen to children at any given time. It seems illogical at the time it was presented, as Jesse had finally found someone he could be himself with, he was happy in his own skin and his life was getting better. However reading on, I realized that Paterson creates this situation to help the reader realize that death happens in the real world, and people can go on with life. They grow stronger mentally and emotionally, as well as learn more about themselves than they ever have. This occurs with Jesse as well, He realizes that Leslie gave him the strength and courage to become who he really is, and who wants to be. He becomes a better big brother to May Belle, his parents and sisters begin to accept him, and he realizes that she gave him the most beautiful friendship he could have ever asked