Bridge to Terabithia

In Chapters 4-6, Jess develops friendship and bits of confidence. One of the most significant moments in the book is when Jess decides to befriend Leslie. Perhaps empowered by Miss Edmunds’s example of kindness, Jess realizes how cowardly it is for him not to give Leslie a chance. Jess senses that this decision will impact his life, and this marks the moment when he decides to change something about his life rather than simply react to it.

Jess soon discovers the power of friendship. He goes from wondering how he can withstand one more year of school to having someone who “could always come up with something funny to make the long days bearable” (55). Jess learns not to worry about his classmates’ esteem. While the old Jess would have been horrified to be teased, he and Leslie grow unworried, not concerning themselves with others.

Leslie’s vivid imagination and confidence are inspiring to Jess. She leads the way in creating their imaginary world of Terabithia. Jess is impressed with how she makes things sound magical and important. Leslie models confidence and a take-charge attitude, and it is her idea to get back at Janice Avery with the love-letter plot. Instead of being on the receiving end of bullying, Jess gets back at a bully. Leslie also encourages Jess in his creativity. When he is frustrated that his drawings could not do Terabithia justice, she reassures him that he will eventually succeed. Her friendship helps Jess become more confident in himself. He beams with pride when he gives her Prince Terrien.

The joy and confidence that friendship brings spill over into other areas of Jess’s life. While nothing changes about his family life, his attitude does. Realizing how his actions have made her feel excluded, Jess buys May Belle a Barbie. Jess also comforts his little sister, Joyce Ann, even though she has done nothing but annoy him. Jess empathizes with how dejected his father must feel after gifting Jess a faulty toy and encourages him. Because Jess feels more at ease in the world, he connects with his family members.

Even while Jess grows in his self-confidence, he still struggles with fear and self-doubt and belittles himself for not being strong enough. When Leslie reads her composition on scuba diving, the thought of diving so deep makes Jess feel panicked and claustrophobic. He feels humiliated for his reaction: “Lord, he was such a coward […] His dad expected him to be a man. And here he was letting some girl who wasn’t even ten yet scare the liver out of him” (43). Jess’s internal narrative is harsh. He puts himself down for lacking his narrow ideal of masculinity. This is why, while none of them want to confront Janice, May Belle’s taunt that “[y]ou’re just yeller” (63) strikes a nerve, driving Jess to prove himself. Jess also feels insecure because his wealth and education differ from Leslie’s. The Burkes are well-off and have discussions about politics and art, leaving Jess too intimidated to join in the conversation. While Jess knows that Leslie would not expect an expensive Christmas present, he still feels dejected when he cannot think of something to get her. Although Jess is becoming more confident overall, he still has not come to terms with his insecurity and anxiety.