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 crave attention, he distances himself from the beach where his mother and other tourists are. This indicates that his loneliness is partly self-inflicted.

Throughout the narrative, Jerry displays disdain for his mother while yearning for male companionship, hinting at his search for a father figure to replace his deceased father. His struggle with loneliness leads him to the tunnel, yet he also embraces solitude by choosing to swim to the most secluded place possible—the solitary, dark tunnel.