Film Analysis: Bridge to Terabithia

Hero: Jess Aarons
Mentor: Miss Edmunds
Threshold Guardian: Leslie, Jess's own thoughts and misgivings
Herald: Leslie. "Don't let the Terabithians Hear You."
Shapeshifter: Jess's Dad
Shadow: Scott Hoger
Trickster: Janice Avery
Ordinary World: Boring day-to-day chores, surviving the sixth grade friendless.
Call to Adventure: Leslie Burke beats Jess in the race; later she invites him to create a magical kingdom with her.
Refusal of the Call: Jess resists imagining, questions Leslie and doubts his own creative ability. "Enchanted Rope?"
Meeting With the Mentor: Music class with Ms. Edmunds, who praises his artwork and encourages Jess. "Have you taken Art lessons? You're Really Talented." --and-- "Jess, Don't let those other kids push you around."
Crossing the Threshold: Jess calls the pinecones grenades, he and Leslie build the treehouse.
Tests: Jess must find and return his father's keys; He and Leslie must confront & defend themselves against the Giant Troll (Janice Avery), Jess's chivalry to Ms. Edmunds in order to protect himself from Scott Hoger.
Allies: Leslie (His best friend), Maybelle (younger sister and confidant), Prince Terrian (P.T. the dog), later on Janice Avery.
Enemies: Scott Hoger (School Bully), Janice Avery (Frightening Eighth Grader), Jess's Dad (Imposing and Demanding).
Approach: Falling Tree impales the tree house (survival), Heightened Bullying (Maybelle's twinkies stolen, ketchup packets) and defense, Ms. Edmunds invites Jess to the Museum.
Ordeal: Leslie is killed by rope-river accident. Jess Must cope with his aching heart and confused emotions.
Reward: Jess is able to endure with his remorse and is still able to imagine.
The Road Back: Jess's father comforts him, Jess begins building a 'bridge' to Terabithia.
Resurrection: Jess calls Maybelle to come to Terabithia with him.
Return with Elixir: Leslie lives on in Jess's memory, Maybelle and Jess continue to imagine in Terabithia. "Can there be purple flowers?"