Katherine Paterson’s View of The Stages of Adulthood as Described in Her Book, Bridge to Terabithia

Adolescence is a very important time in life which everyone has to go through. It is like a journey, and yet you don't know what to expect on the journey. In Katherine Paterson's novel, Bridge to Terabithia, Jess Aarons, a very naive follower, goes through adolescence. He has a strong desire to become the fastest runner of the fifth grade to make his father notice him more. But suddenly, a new girl moves into the nearby house in Lark Creek, Virginia. The next day, during the boy's running races, the new girl, Leslie, bravely joins the race and beats them all, putting an end to Jess's dream. They soon become friends and create their own magical world, Terabithia, out of their strong imagination where they have no limits. But one morning a terrible tragedy happens. Jess, after the tragedy, realizes how much stronger he has become over Leslie's influence and no longer remains the weak, cowardly boy he once was.

Jess Oliver Aarons Jr. is a very insecure, neglective boy who is very unsure about what he likes. One day, Mrs. Myers reads aloud Leslie's paper on her hobby, scuba diving. Jesse has written about a hobby that he didn't like. He lied because he did not want to get teased about his real hobby, drawing. For the essay, "Everyone had to write a paper about his or her favorite hobby. Jess had written about football but had enough brains to know that if he said drawing, everyone would laugh at him." (33) This event shows that Jesse is insecure. He choses to write about football when he actually hates it just to avoid people from teasing him. Jesse doesn't want people teasing him since his real favorite hobby is drawing. He is not sure about his feelings. Jesse is very insecure about his likes and to open up to his feelings.

After being friends with Leslie, Jess is trying to change and to get over his fear of water. Jesse is lying on his bed after going to Terabithia with Leslie. He is thinking about how he is afraid of water. He isn't afraid of telling Leslie about his fear, but is afraid of having the fear. Jesse thinks, "Lord, it would be better to be born without an arm than to go through life with no guts." (93). This event is important because it shows that Jess does not want to continue being afraid. Jesse wants to change, and overcome his large fear. He feels that he needs to "grow up" and try to have guts. Jess wants to discontinue being scared. Jess is trying to change and doesn't want to be afraid anymore.

Jesse, after the terrible tragedy strikes realizes how much strength and courage he has gained over Leslie's influence. Jess now comes to terms with his feelings and is reflecting back at the what Leslie has done to help him. After talking to Mrs. Myers, he starts showing sympathy for her. Looking back he realizes how much Leslie had changed him. He thinks "As for the terrors ahead—for he did not fool himself that they were all behind him—well, you just have to stand up to your fear and not let it squeeze you white. Right Leslie? Right." (135) This event is important because Jess is reflecting back and is now showing he understands that Leslie is dead. Leslie had turned him into a king from being the kid who wanted to impress his dad by running on the pasture field. He is now looking back and what Leslie's influence did to him. She had completely changed him to a mature adolescent. Now Jess is more mature and courages than ever before.

This story reminds us that adolescence is a big part in life. After Jesse's friend Leslie's large influence, Jess completely changed from a insecure, fearful boy to a sophisticated, dauntless boy. He realizes how self-centered and shy he was before. Then he realizes that their magical kingdom, Terabithia served to help him change and acted as a place "[...]where you came to be knighted. After you stayed for a while and grew strong you had to move on." (126) Jess later builds a bridge to get to Terabithia and crowns his little sister May Belle queen. The "Bridge to Terabithia" is a symbol. The water is all the troubles he has had and the bridge is what served as what he did to get over his troubles. The other side, Terabithia, shows the place where he stands now, after getting over his troubles. Adolescence, as shown by Jess Aarons is a very special and hard time in life.