Jess Aarons
| Jesse Aarons | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | "Chapter 1: Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr." |
| Last appearance | "Chapter 13: Building The Bridge" |
| Created by | Katherine Paterson |
| Portrayed by | Julian Coutts (1985 film) Josh Hutcherson (2007 film) |
| Information | |
| Full name | Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr. |
| Nickname(s) | Jess |
| Aliases | King of Terabithia |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Student |
| Title | "King of Terabithia" |
| Family | Jesse Oliver Aarons, Sr. (father, Jack Aarons in the 2007 film) Mary Aarons (mother) May Belle and Joyce Ann (younger sisters) Ellie and Brenda (older sisters) |
| Significant other(s) | Leslie Burke (best friend/love interest, deceased) |
| Nationality | American |
| Leslie Burke | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | "Chapter 2: Leslie Burke" |
| Last appearance | "Chapter 9: The Evil Spell" |
| Created by | Katherine Paterson |
| Portrayed by | Julie Beaulieu (1985 film) AnnaSophia Robb (2007 film) |
| Information | |
| Aliases | Queen of Terabithia |
| Species | Human |
| Gender | Female |
| Occupation | Student |
| Title | "Queen of Terabithia" |
| Family | Bill Burke (father) Judy Burke (mother) Prince Terrien or P.T. (pet dog) |
| Significant other(s) | Jesse Aarons (best friend/love interest) |
| Nationality | American |
This is a list of characters that appear in the 1977 children's novel Bridge to Terabithia, and the 1985 telefilm and 2007 film adaption.
Jesse Oliver Aarons, Jr. is a fictional character in the book Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. He is based on her son. He is played by Julian Coutts in the 1985 film and by Josh Hutcherson in the 2007 film. Debbie Elliott reports that "Katherine Paterson was inspired to write Bridge to Terabithia after her son's childhood best friend was struck and killed by lightning." In the novel and film adaptations, Jesse Aarons represents her son. He is the middle child.
It comes to being Christmas time, and Jesse gets Leslie a puppy named P.T. (short for Prince Terrien). Leslie gives Jesse his present: an art set. Jesse is shocked but loves the present.
Jesse has an unspoken infatuation with his music teacher, Miss Edmunds, which is the reason why Jesse does not invite Leslie to the museum with him and Miss Edmunds.
Knowing that Jesse loves drawing, Leslie gives him an art set for his birthday. He says, "This must have cost a fortune ..." In return, Leslie tells him, "Well, I can take it back and get a cheaper one if you want." Later, to show his appreciation, Jesse gives Leslie a dog she names "Prince Terrien, Troll Hunter Extraordinaire".
Like the book, the film revolves around the dramatic focus of Jesse's relationship with Leslie Burke (played by AnnaSophia Robb) he also has a crush on Miss Edmunds (played by Zooey Deschanel). Leslie's crush on Jesse is hinted in several scenes, such as her reaction to the gift of Prince Terrien by hugging him. He also falls in love with her the last time he sees her, though it could be argued that seeing her wave goodbye to him from afar, Jessie has a sudden foreshadowing of her death. During her wake, Leslie's father reveals to Jesse that Leslie loved him, and that he was the best friend she ever had. He then also realized how much he cared for her and that he really did love her, which then Jesse blames himself for letting her die and not inviting her to go to the museum with him, and decides to let his anger out on others which everyone tried making him forget but only brought him more frustration. He then accepts Leslie's death and builds the bridge of Terabithia of which he made his sister May Belle the new princess.
...
Wikipedia