church when Leslie proclaims that she does not completely believe in the Bible. An alarmed May Belle asks But Leslie. What if you die? Whats going to happen to you if you die?(85) We also see foreshadowing from Leslie herself in chapter nine. During a heavy rain spell, Jess and Leslie go to Terabithia and Leslie says Methinks some evil being has put a curse on our beloved kingdomFor of a truth I perceive that this is no ordinary rain that is falling upon our kingdom. (90-91) Little do they know that this is no ordinary rain indeed for this is the last time Jess and Leslie ever go to Terabithia together again. The themes of this story range from coping with death to overcoming obstacles and fears. Death in itself is obviously an obstacle and Leslies death is the hardest obstacle Jess has ever had to overcome. But in dealing with Leslies death, Jess realizes how much strength and courage he has gained from Leslie had given him. Leslie and Terabithia were essential for Jess to evolve into the character he is at the end of the story. They were essential for him to overcome his fears of water and the schoolyard bullies, and he realizes that he doesnt need Leslie to protect him anymore and he does not need to take refuge in Terabithia because he can face his obstacles.He thought about it all day, how before Leslie came, he had been a nothing-a stupidIt was Leslie who had taken him from the cow pasture into Terabithia and turned him into a king. Now it occurred to him that perhaps Terabithia was like a castle where you came to be knighted. After you stayed awhile and grew strong you had to move on. (126)In the end, Jess builds a bridge to Terabithia and takes May Belle there and he becomes to May Belle who Leslie was for him. Jess does not need Leslie to enter Terabithia because although Leslie is gone, Terabithia will remain and live on with May Belle. There are a lot of children out there like Jess who are alone and scared and the...
