1e. Facing Death [Beyond Books - Reading Between the Lines]

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When the character Mr. Hooper died, the writers of Sesame Street were faced with a difficult situation: how to explain death to preschoolers. Their solution was praised by parents and experts alike.

Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

1e. Facing Death
Why does Leslie have to die?

Katherine Paterson wrote this book for a very specific reason. She explains it on the dedication page of Bridge to Terabithia.


	I wrote this book for my son David Lord Paterson, but after he read it he asked me to put Lisa's name on this page as well, and so I do. For David Paterson and Lisa Hill.

Katherine Paterson's son David had a friend named Lisa Hill. When she was eight years old, Lisa was struck by lightning and killed. Katherine Paterson says that she wrote Bridge "to try to make sense out of a tragedy that seemed senseless" and to help her face her own death.

That's why the author Katherine Paterson has Leslie die in this story. But that doesn't explain why tragedies happen in real life or how we respond to them.

Making Sense out of Senselessness

After the death of Leslie, Jess must deal with his grief and anger. His dad carries him out of the woods in this picture.

Not a day goes by when the nightly news doesn't feature a story of tragedy: shootings, accidents, fires — the list goes on. So many deaths occur that we often become used to hearing about them

That is, until death hits home and happens to someone we know.

When family members or friends die, we are left with many questions.

Why did this have to happen to them?
What did they do to deserve this?
Why did they leave me all alone?

But these questions have no answers.

When Jess learns of Leslie's death, he experiences many different feelings: denial, guilt, anger, and sadness. These feelings are normal and common.

Guilt and Anger

Jess feels responsible for Leslie's death. He thinks that if he had invited Leslie to the museum with Miss Edmunds and him Leslie would not have gone to the woods. She would not have died. Does Jess have a right to feel this way?

Jess is also angry that Leslie has left him. He feels alone. Why is he angry at Leslie for dying? It doesn't seem right. Should he feel this way?

Memories keep the spirit of lost loved ones alive. In the movie My Girl, Vada loses her best friend Thomas J. but will always have special memories of him, just as Jess will always remember Leslie.
Every feeling is real. And every person has a right to feel as he or she does. Feelings can't be denied. The pain of losing a loved one often leaves a person feeling empty and looking for answers.

Making Memories

When someone dies, people often think about their own deaths. It's not an easy thing to think about, but it is something that everyone will need to face in his or her lifetime. It's very scary.

When we lose a loved one, we carry his or her memory with us. Sometimes a memento or special object helps us to feel connected to the person who has died.

The Burkes give Jesse Leslie's books and paints, but they can't bear to part with the puppy P. T. Jess will remember Leslie every time he reads a new book, and the Burkes will see their daughter in the playful puppy.

Facing Death

Living with Loss: How do people keep memories alive?

But Jess and the others are left with more than just mementos. They are left with feelings. At the end of the book, Jesse resolves to "pay back to the world in beauty and caring what Leslie had loaned him in vision and strength."

Leslie gave Jess her most precious gift: her friendship. Her friendship changed his life and undeniably made him a better person for it.

Death is a part of life. But hopefully what we learn from the death of others is that life is precious and that every moment, no matter how simple it may seem, is special and should be cherished.



		In the News: How do we cope with loss?

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