Themes: Rites of Passage

Jerry's beach vacation quickly becomes a profound personal challenge. He has to leave his mother at the beach, which he sees as "a place for small children, a place where his mother might lie safe in the sun." Leaving this nursery-like environment, he explores the perilous "wild and rocky" bay and confronts the underwater tunnel. As an eleven-year-old on the brink of adolescence and the sole male in his family, Jerry is approaching adulthood...

Themes: Individualism

Jerry's ability to hold his breath symbolizes his assertion of independence. He practices until he can remain underwater for several minutes. By distancing himself from his mother, Jerry embarks on a journey of self-exploration and personal challenge. He learns to navigate the dangerous tunnel on his own, without assistance from the local boys, highlighting his independence. While he initially seeks attention, Jerry later conceals his bloody nose...

Themes: Alienation and Loneliness

The story reflects the tension between independence and dependence, paralleling the themes of alienation and loneliness. At the beginning, Jerry is so profoundly lonely that his urge to join the local boys is described as a "craving that fill[s] his whole body." Despite being invited, he is still set apart by differences in language, age, and nationality. Eventually, the boys dismiss him because of his childish behavior. Although Jerry seems to...

Themes: Rite of Passage

"Through the Tunnel" by Doris Lessing explores the theme of a rite of passage, focusing on a young boy named Jerry who seeks to prove his maturity and independence. The story captures Jerry's journey from childhood to adolescence, symbolized by his determination to swim through an underwater tunnel. This personal challenge represents his transition and self-discovery, as he moves from seeking acceptance from others to achieving self-assurance...

Themes: Independence

In "Through the Tunnel," the theme of independence is central to Jerry's journey from childhood to young adulthood. The story explores Jerry's desire to prove himself and gain autonomy from his mother. His determination to swim through the underwater tunnel symbolizes his quest for self-assurance and maturity. This rite of passage marks his transition into independence, as he challenges himself to achieve a personal goal without relying on others.

Themes: Maturity

In "Through the Tunnel," the theme of maturity is central to Jerry's journey from childhood to adolescence. The story explores the complexities of growing up, highlighting the challenges and fears associated with this transition. Jerry's determination to swim through the underwater tunnel symbolizes his desire to prove his maturity and independence. The setting of the wild bay, with its dangerous and unpredictable nature, mirrors the tumultuous...