In the story "Through the Tunnel" the author shows symbolism in representing the passage of a boy named Jerry going into young adulthood by swimming through a tunnel by the beach. Jerry shows maturity and immaturity throughout the story.
Jerry is pretty immature before a swims through the tunnel. For example, Jerry swam out on the beach and checked to see where his mom was. Jerry "swam back to the shore, relieved at being sure she was there, but all at once lonely." (478) This shows that even while he is far out to sea he is still uncomfortable with having his mother around. This proves that Jerry still needs reassurance that his mother is within sight, which resembles the traits of a child.
Another way Jerry is immature is