Through The Tunnel
Max Lerner once said “The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt.” Doris Lessing illustrates this point in her short story, “Through the Tunnel.” In the short story, Jerry, a young, English boy, finds himself by overcoming the obstacles of adolescence. As the story opens, readers learn that Jerry, who is on vacation with his mother, is eleven years old--a time during which many boys begin to distance themselves from their parents. On this vacation, Jerry desires some time away from his mother, and ventures away from the family beach to the "wild bay." Once there, he encounters a group of older boys, who seem to be natives, and who don't speak English. Jerry
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He has gained independence. When the adolescent strays away from the security of one’s parents, they are capable of obtaining their own individual achievement. Doris Lessing uses symbolism, similes, and imagery to portray the theme that the journey from childhood to adulthood is a challenge, and the rough patches along the way are not obstacles, but opportunities. In “Through the Tunnel”, Lessing shows Jerry’s journey through the use of symbolism. For example, the scene with the goggles. "As soon as she had bought the goggles, he grabbed them from her hand as if she were going to claim them for herself, and was off, running down the steep path to the bay" (Lessing). This scene with the goggles shows his determination and effort for completing his challenging task but at the same time, shows his need for protection. He is attempting something very dangerous and potentially life threatening, but he does that while wearing a form of safety. It’s almost as if he’s almost there... but not quite yet. As another source agrees, "He risks his life, but does so while wearing swimming goggles, which are symbolic of both his inexperience and his need for protection" (Wilson). It means that even though he’s determined to do something wild, he feels to need for safety. It shows the progress he slowly makes to adolescence, it’s a step in the right direction. It’s a part of growing up, he’s taking small
He has gained independence. When the adolescent strays away from the security of one’s parents, they are capable of obtaining their own individual achievement. Doris Lessing uses symbolism, similes, and imagery to portray the theme that the journey from childhood to adulthood is a challenge, and the rough patches along the way are not obstacles, but opportunities. In “Through the Tunnel”, Lessing shows Jerry’s journey through the use of symbolism. For example, the scene with the goggles. "As soon as she had bought the goggles, he grabbed them from her hand as if she were going to claim them for herself, and was off, running down the steep path to the bay" (Lessing). This scene with the goggles shows his determination and effort for completing his challenging task but at the same time, shows his need for protection. He is attempting something very dangerous and potentially life threatening, but he does that while wearing a form of safety. It’s almost as if he’s almost there... but not quite yet. As another source agrees, "He risks his life, but does so while wearing swimming goggles, which are symbolic of both his inexperience and his need for protection" (Wilson). It means that even though he’s determined to do something wild, he feels to need for safety. It shows the progress he slowly makes to adolescence, it’s a step in the right direction. It’s a part of growing up, he’s taking small