Adolescence is a very important time in life that we all have to go through. It's like a journey, yet you don't know what to expect during 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 in fifth grade to get his father to 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' dream. They quickly become friends and, thanks to their strong imaginations, create their own magical world, Terabithia, where they have no limits. But one morning a terrible tragedy happens. Jess, after the tragedy, realizes how much stronger he has become thanks to Leslie's influence and no longer remains the weak and cowardly boy he once was. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Jess Oliver Aarons Jr. is a very insecure and careless boy, very unsure of what he likes. One day, Mrs. Myers reads Leslie's article aloud about her hobby, scuba diving. Jesse wrote about a hobby he didn't like. He lied because he didn't want to be made fun of for his real hobby, drawing. For the essay, "Everyone had to write an article about their 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 chooses to write about football when in reality he hates it just to avoid people making fun of him. Jesse doesn't want people to make fun of him since his real favorite hobby is drawing. He is not sure of his feelings. Jesse is very insecure about what he likes and opening up about his feelings. After becoming friends with Leslie, Jess is trying to change and overcome his fear of water. Jesse is lying on his bed after going to Terabithia with Leslie. He's thinking about how he's afraid of water. He is not afraid to tell Leslie his fear, but he is afraid of being afraid. Jesse thinks, "Lord, it would be better to be born without an arm than to live without courage." (93). This event is important because it shows that Jess doesn't want to continue to be afraid. Jesse wants to change and overcome his great fear. He feels like he needs to "grow up" and try to have courage. Jess wants to stop being afraid. Jess is trying to change and doesn't want to be afraid anymore. Jesse, after terrible tragedy strikes him, realizes how much strength and courage he has gained from Leslie's influence. Jess now comes to terms with his feelings and reflects on what Leslie did to help him. After talking to Mrs. Myers, he begins to show sympathy for her. Looking back he realizes how much Leslie changed him. He thinks, "As for the terrors that await him - because he didn't delude himself that they were all behind him - well, you just have to hold on to your fear and not let it drain you of blood. Right Leslie? Right." (135) This event is important because Jess is reflecting on the past and now shows that she understands that Leslie is dead. Leslie had made him into a king as a child who wanted to impress his father by running around the pasture. Now he's looking back and seeing what Leslie's influence did to him. It had completely transformed him into a mature teenager. Now Jess is more mature and courageous than ever. Please note: this is just an example. Get a personalized item now.