Bridge to Terabithia: My Dad, the Shapeshifter

      In Bridge to Terabithia, the most obvious Shapeshifter is Jess's Dad.
      At first, you don't hear much about his father. Small details though, like that he scoffed at Jess's wanting to be an artist? They enfuriate you.
     Jess's father is hardly ever around, always out working from dawn til dusk. So what right does he have to judge Jess? And what, exactly, is wrong with wanting to be an artist?
Something you'll notice about Jess is: he always wants to fit in, and live up to expectations. Not only with classmates, but with his father. Since the event of Jess's father's scoffing at his son for wanting to paint and draw and create art, Jess has been careful not to mention it again.
     That is, until Leslie comes along. Leslie changes Jess. Brings courage and strength in him, meanwhile bonding a friendship so tight not even death can break it. But what does Jess's father think of Leslie? Not much. Although Leslie is fairly wealthy, Jess's father does not approve. What business does Jesse have with a girl who looks like a boy? Who runs wildly around? Who has hippie parents, who write for a living? This brings the subject of difference into the story.
    In this little middle-of-nowhere town, girls wear dresses, play, gossip. Boys race, play football, baseball, and god forbid any of them draw a picture! Everyone goes to church, and watches TV.
And every one is used to it, including Mr. Aarons. So when it's brought to his attention that his son is so close with someone so different, it's a shock. And Jess's father does not support it.
    Then comes the rainy day of Leslie's death (And Mr. Aarons Shapeshifting). Of course, Jess is devastated. But to expectant audience, his dad supports him. He comforts him, and suggests helpful things, like visiting Leslie's parents.
    In the scene were Jess runs into the storm, down to the river and dumps the paints Leslie had given him. Of course, the new and improved father follows and see's this. He tells Jesse that he did a real dumb thing, throwing those paints away. His father has shapeshifted into supporting Jess's art. And when Jess tries to run away, his father catches him, lifts him and held him like s small child. This bond, I believe renewed their relationship.
   It's concluded, then. Jess Aarons father is the shapeshifter in Bridge to Terabithia. He nos supports Jess, and I'm sure if the tragedy had resulted in Leslie's living, he would support their friendship too.