"Through the Tunnel" by Doris Lessing is a short story about a young boy named Jerry who is on vacation with his mother at a beach in France. As he grows older and becomes more independent, Jerry becomes determined to prove to himself and others that he is capable of swimming through a tunnel that extends under the rocky outcropping separating the beach where he and his mother are staying from the next beach over.
Throughout the story, Jerry faces numerous challenges as he tries to swim through the tunnel. The water is cold and rough, and the tunnel itself is dark and narrow, making it difficult for Jerry to see and navigate. He also faces the fear of drowning and the possibility of getting stuck in the tunnel. Despite these obstacles, Jerry persists in his efforts, determined to prove to himself and to others that he is capable of overcoming these challenges.
As Jerry struggles to swim through the tunnel, the story touches upon themes of independence, determination, and the human desire to prove oneself. Jerry's mother is initially hesitant to let him attempt the swim, but she eventually gives in, recognizing that her son is growing up and needs to be able to make his own decisions and take risks. This moment highlights the theme of independence and the importance of allowing individuals to make their own choices and learn from their experiences.
Additionally, Jerry's determination to succeed in swimming through the tunnel demonstrates the human desire to prove oneself and overcome challenges. Through his persistence and perseverance, Jerry is able to achieve his goal, which serves as a testament to his determination and strength of character.
Overall, "Through the Tunnel" is a poignant and thought-provoking story that explores the themes of independence, determination, and the human desire to prove oneself. It serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and the power of the human spirit to overcome even the most daunting of challenges.
Through the Tunnel by Doris Lessing
There he meets a group of older boys, obviously foreigners. He proves to himself that he can achieve difficult tasks, he gains a new sense of independence from his mother, and he matures as a result. A strong swimmer, Jerry plunges in and goes so far out that he can see his mother only as a small yellow speck back on the other beach. Would you be willing to do what Jerry does? He is improving his time and feels he is almost ready to attempt the tunnel again. His nose was bleeding, and the blood had filled the goggles. At first he felt like an "inflated balloon", he could hold his breath forever, but as the tunnel became darker and eerie, he started to panic and lose his control.
Through the Tunnel
As a young reader, new to being on my own, I found this story really hit home for me. Doris Lessing perfectly captures the awkward age of adolescence the time period where one is caught between childhood and adulthood. He let go of his anchor, clung with his hands to the edges of the holes, and tried to push himself in. Close 3rd person of an 11 yo boy, it twice or 3 or 4 times? A hundred and fifteen, a hundred and fifteen pounded through his head, and he feebly clutched at rocks in the dark, pulling himself forward, leaving the brief space of sunlit water behind. From where he was, high up among redÂbrown rocks, it was a scoop of moving bluish green fringed with white. Going ''Through the Tunnel'' When we meet Jerry, he is preparing for his first day of vacation at the coast with his mother.
"Through the Tunnel" by Doris Lessing: [Essay Example], 470 words GradesFixer
The of Jerry is reminiscent to the younger brother trying to catch up to his older siblings, tagging along and trying to prove his worth, and almost always getting hurt because of his stubbornness. He also went from the safe, busy beach with his mother, to the risky rocky bay with the native boys. He was incredulous and then proud to find he could hold his breath without strain for two minutes. He came to the surface, swam to shore and went back to the villa to wait for his mother. That's the question confronting the main character of Doris Lessing's ''Through the Tunnel.
âThrough the Tunnelâ by Doris Lessing
When she felt he was not with her, she swung around. As soon as they realize he is a foreigner, though, they forget about him, but he is happy just to be among them. He knew he must find his way through that cave, or hole, or tunnel, and out the other side. Over the course of her career, she published over 50 novels, which moved between social realism to science fiction and many styles in between, all the while focusing on political themes. As the words come to life, students will develop a lasting appreciation for great literature.
Through the Tunnel Study Guide
We see the mother struggling with letting him go, but she is determined ''to be neither possessive nor lacking in devotion. A in English from DePaul University and an MFA in Creative Writing from Columbia College Chicago. Jerry is fascinated with the second beach, a symbol of adult world and of the inevitable â growing up. He was counting wildly; he said a hundred and fifteen, and then a long time later, a hundred and fifteen again. Returning home, he sees the group of older boys, but feels no desire to win their approval any longer.
Through The Tunnel, Doris Lessing
His hands were shaking. He looked up once at the empty sky, filled his lungs once, twice, and then sank fast to the bottom with the stone. He ran straight into the water and began swimming. Jerry yelled in warning, the other boys looked at him idly and turned their eyes back toward the water. After the boys would leave in the afternoon, Jerry would stay down there and work on his breathing and concentrating on going through the tunnel. Each tries to please the other and not to impose too many demands.
