Positive role models in literature will not only help the readers become better students but, also better citizens. In Bridge to Terabithia, Jess and Leslie are shown to be good role models for different reasons; Jess tries to find his identity in the novel and Leslie has desirable traits for students. Also, in an article called “Children and Role Models” it says that children may copy the behavior of a role model and they “shape how [children] behave in school”. This means the characteristics of Jess and Leslie may be copied by the readers. Jess, throughout the whole book, tries to find his identity which is an important lesson for fourth and fifth graders because at that age according to Sociology: a Global Perspective, it is normal for
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Jess at the beginning of the book was trying to fit in a certain mold, not be that ‘crazy little kid that draws all the time’” (Paterson 4) and to gain his father’s approval. The mold Jess is supposed to fill is very masculine and hobbies like drawing do not fit in to that category, at least from his father’s point of view. When Jess wanted to become an artist in the first grade his dad replied, “What are they teaching in that damn school?” he asked. “Bunch of old ladies turning my son into some kind of a-” (Paterson 12) and when Jess started to spend more time with Leslie, Jess’s father was worried that Jess only hung out with girls. His father wanted his son to be masculine and act like a boy. Many male readers of this book can relate to Jess for this reason because of their fathers and so, he can become a positive role model. Jess continues to paint even though his father does not approve which would encourage the readers to do the same. This starts to be an issue in schools because children that are worrying about their identity is a stressor that can negativity affect the child’s focus. Leslie on the other hand, is very intelligent and creative (Paterson 33-34) and this may encourage the reader to read or learn more so they can be like
Jess at the beginning of the book was trying to fit in a certain mold, not be that ‘crazy little kid that draws all the time’” (Paterson 4) and to gain his father’s approval. The mold Jess is supposed to fill is very masculine and hobbies like drawing do not fit in to that category, at least from his father’s point of view. When Jess wanted to become an artist in the first grade his dad replied, “What are they teaching in that damn school?” he asked. “Bunch of old ladies turning my son into some kind of a-” (Paterson 12) and when Jess started to spend more time with Leslie, Jess’s father was worried that Jess only hung out with girls. His father wanted his son to be masculine and act like a boy. Many male readers of this book can relate to Jess for this reason because of their fathers and so, he can become a positive role model. Jess continues to paint even though his father does not approve which would encourage the readers to do the same. This starts to be an issue in schools because children that are worrying about their identity is a stressor that can negativity affect the child’s focus. Leslie on the other hand, is very intelligent and creative (Paterson 33-34) and this may encourage the reader to read or learn more so they can be like