Bridge to Terabithia — Chapter 2

About This Passage

The chapter's final sentence is one of the most carefully constructed in the novel. Paterson connects Leslie's running to the natural world (wild ducks in autumn) through Jess's artist eye — the same eye that draws impossible hippos. The word 'beautiful' arrives involuntarily, like genuine perception, and is rejected deliberately, like learned suppression. This single sentence captures the novel's central tension: Jess perceives beauty naturally but has been taught to distrust that perception. The rejection mirrors his hiding of drawings in chapter 1.

Narration Prompt

In your own words, tell the story of this chapter. What were the most important moments? What made them important — and how do you know?

Discussion Questions

1. Leslie arrives at school dressed in faded cut-offs while everyone else wears Sunday best, and she does not seem to notice or care about the difference. In chapter 1, Jess put on his 'one pair of corduroys and an ironed shirt' — he cared very much about fitting in. What does the contrast between Leslie's comfort with being different and Jess's need to conform tell us about each character? Which approach takes more courage?
2. Jess planned all summer to be the fastest kid in fifth grade, and being 'the best' was going to prove something important about who he was. When Leslie beats him, she takes away the one achievement that was supposed to matter. But at the chapter's end, Jess watches Leslie and thinks she is 'beautiful.' Has Leslie taken something from Jess, or has she given him something he did not yet know he needed?

+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide