Through The Tunnel Symbolism

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In the story "Through the Tunnel," by Doris Lessing, an eleven year old boy named Jerry, goes on vacation to a safe and wild beach. He is very immature, before deciding to swim through the tunnel. An example of symbolism is that after Jerry swam through the tunnel, he became more mature. Jerry's childish behavior came before taking the challenge of swimming through the tunnel. An immature scene would be when Jerry wanted some swimming goggles. He had to have them right then and there, due to the water that stings in his eyes. I quote from the story Jerry demanding, "But now, now, now!" He constantly pestered his mother on the way to the shop. As soon as she bought the goggles, Jerry grabbed them from his mother's hands. Without saying …show more content…
Look!" The big boys just frowned. That would mean that they are thinking that Jerry is very immature. A more mature kid would've got the boys attention by asking for it, not by making a scene. Another immature quote from, "Through the Tunnel" would be "cried openly, fist in his eyes." This quote was from when the big boys were leaving him, on page 480. A more mature boy would've asked politely, "why are you leaving me?" This is also what a baby, or a small child would do if he didn't get his way. Also a more mature boy wouldn't even have cared, if the big boys left him. After Jerry decided to swim through the tunnel he became more mature. An example of a mature behavior (page 482-483) from the story would be, Jerry deciding to be smart, after he swam through the tunnel. He had a bloody nose and was dizzy. Instead of crying, he decided to go lie down instead and relax. An immature boy would've went and cried to his mother. A good quote would be, "After a time, his heart quieted, his eyes cleared, and he sat up." This would show that he is not panicking, and he is being

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