Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson Essay

span to Terabithia is an ambitious, thrilling, and at times heartbreaking story close to childhood, friendship, and individuality. Paterson begins the story by introducing Jess Aarons, an elevenyearold son living in a rural area of the South who loves to run. He dreams of being the fastest boy in the fifth grade when school starts up in the fall, smelling that this will for once give him a chance to stand in the spotlight among his five sisters, and win him the attention of his constantly preoccupied father. Jess is actually insecure in his identicalness. He loves to paint and draw, but he knows that this labels him a sissy in most eyes, particularly his father. As Katherine Paterson said Jess move the way some people drink whiskey.I enjoyed reading about Jesss confliction between his masculinity and effeminacy. With his family stretched so tight by destitution he has little chance to really explore his own identity during this crucial period of adolescence. He is determined t o win in doing something mannish that will rid the undesired label of sissy or miss in the eyes of his father and schoolmates which will allow him to shine in his own right. He practices each morning, always dreaming of his upcoming victory. However, when the races move into around at recess, a new girl, Leslie Burke, who just moved following door to Jess, boldly crosses to the boys side of the playground and beats everyone.