Bridge to Terabithia in ENGL 596 / EDCI 551

Jan 19, 2015 Jawaria rated it really liked it

'Bridge to Terabithia' was a deeply moving book to read. It left me disturbed and pondering for a few days after; and the message still resonates within me. Leslie's death, although foreshadowed intelligently, still comes as a big blow due to our connecting with the characters and understanding of the strong bond between Jesse and Leslie. Hence, the theme is communicated with full force.
I found many similarities between 'Bridge to Terabithia' and a short story 'The Scarlet Ibis' by James Hurst. 'Bridge to Terabithia' was a deeply moving book to read. It left me disturbed and pondering for a few days after; and the message still resonates within me. Leslie's death, although foreshadowed intelligently, still comes as a big blow due to our connecting with the characters and understanding of the strong bond between Jesse and Leslie. Hence, the theme is communicated with full force.
I found many similarities between 'Bridge to Terabithia' and a short story 'The Scarlet Ibis' by James Hurst. Its content includes a unique yet deep bond, heavy foreshadowing, and death.

As the title outstandingly portrays, the 'Bridge' is the all important factor and message conveyed. The character graduates from wanting the temporary fame of fastest runner in his grade, to solving a 'big' problem (Janice), to bridging the gap between a tragic trial and overcoming it - learning about life. Through the main character (Jesse), the story explores various struggles and confused emotions of a child in tender age. Upon Leslie's death, Jess goes through denial, numbness, stoic shock, anger, crying out loud, many tears, then strength, realization, confidence, managing calamity and finally forward to guide MayBelle, passing the torch on to future generations. He finally 'knows' the right thing to do, all on his own, by making a wreath to honour the dead queen and building the necessary bridge to Terabithia, a new entrance. Death had shattered the link and magic of Terabithia, and so in confused rage he impulsively throws away all the paints Leslie had given him. Those very paints had enabled Jess to visualize the colourful imaginations he wanted to express in his drawings. The had brought life into his pictures - Leslie died suddenly and everything became dark, damaged, colourless. The sacred entrance into their magical world became none other than a broken rope dangling as the noose that had killed his best friend, his mentor, his companion in imagination. As page 126 (in length) beautifully puts, "Leslie had taken him from the cow pasture into Terabithia", from crayons to water-colour paints, and he must keep moving on, growing strong and graduating. He later wants the paints back as they outline the meaningful route to bringing and bridging the imaginary to life. He should follow what makes him happy, his real passion of drawing, regardless of socially constructed gender roles. He distinguishes and crosses over to a stronger, better self who can confidently understand, accept reality, heal from tragedy, and get up to pursue dreams and inspire forward. Thus, building a significant two-fold bridge. A bridge between the real world and the imaginary dream world. A bridge between tragedy and facing it with strength and courage to move forward.

This book implicitly teaches children how to handle loss and recover from tragedy. It empowers and strengthens; to stand up after a fall (whether you stumble yourself, or destiny pushes you to the ground), you rise. You must rise and move forward, and build that bridge. Even as an adult, I learned important lessons about moving on. We all must build bridges from each experience in life to another. ...more

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Jan 22, 2015 Michelle rated it liked it

I sat down and read Bridge to Terabithia in one sitting; I didn't want to put it down. Primarily, I thought that I would not find the book engaging because of the age I gap I now have between myself and the protagonist, but I think that perhaps that opened me opened me up more to Jess's character than I would have been were I read this book for the first time at a younger age. (Be warned, spoilers ahoy!)
Now that I myself have experienced the trials and tribulations that come with having a best f ...more

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Dec 07, 2018 Morgan marked it as to-read · review of another edition

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Jan 22, 2015 Michelle Parsons rated it liked it

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