Was this character's death symbolic in Bridge to Terabithia?

Question

As a child, reading *Bridge to Terabithia*, I was horrified when >! Leslie died As an older reader now, I wonder whether her death was necessary to the development of Jessie. Was her death for a purpose, or was it just the author giving a sence of mortality to her characters?

Answer 1

The death of Leslie was both symbolic of mortality as well as necessary for the development of Jessie's character. The death of Leslie symbolizes the loss of innocence and emerging in to adulthood. It also symbolizes that some friendships (those of good honest intent) are worth being apart of, even when if it (the friendship) ends in death.