Bridge to Terabithia

by

Katherine Paterson

Mrs. Myers Character Analysis

The strict, unsmiling fifth-grade teacher at Lark Creek Elementary. Jess and Leslie often make fun of “Monster Mouth Myers” for being an unattractive and humorless stickler, using cruel language to mock her appearance and demeanor. At the end of the novel, however, in the days following Leslie’s death, Mrs. Myers pulls Jess aside and tells him that she understands the grief he’s feeling—her husband died, she says, several years ago. Jess feels terrible for the cruel way he’s treated Mrs. Myers all year, and agrees that the two should “help each other” finish the term and work through their grief.
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Mrs. Myers Character Timeline in Bridge to Terabithia

The timeline below shows where the character Mrs. Myers appears in Bridge to Terabithia. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 3
Individuality vs. Conformity Theme Icon
Gender Roles Theme Icon
...best, but Leslie doesn’t notice the strange way they’re looking at her outfit. The flustered Mrs. Myers makes space for Leslie’s extra desk in the overcrowded basement classroom, then calls Jess up... (full context)
Individuality vs. Conformity Theme Icon
Gender Roles Theme Icon
...eats in silence at their desks, eagerly anticipating recess. As soon as the bell rings, Mrs. Myers dismisses the girls to the playground first, followed by the excited boys. Gary Fulcher organizes... (full context)
Chapter 4
Friendship, Grief, and Loss Theme Icon
Individuality vs. Conformity Theme Icon
...writes about the obscure pursuit of scuba diving; later, she embarrasses herself in front of Mrs. Myers ’s class by admitting that her family doesn’t have a television. Jess can do little... (full context)
Friendship, Grief, and Loss Theme Icon
Individuality vs. Conformity Theme Icon
Fantasy and Escapism Theme Icon
Gender Roles Theme Icon
...talk while the other kids play, making jokes about their classmates or the strict, fat Mrs. Myers .  Their jokes about Mrs. Myers in particular are cruel—but they distract Jess and Leslie... (full context)
Chapter 13
Friendship, Grief, and Loss Theme Icon
Appearances vs. Reality Theme Icon
After the pledge of allegiance—for which Jess refuses to stand— Mrs. Myers asks Jess to step into the hall. He prepares to get yelled at, but in... (full context)