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Symbolism In Jerry's Through The Tunnel

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In “Through the Tunnel” this boy named Jerry is training himself to be able to go through a tunnel that is under water, but the story had more meaning to it. The main settings were the beach, bay and tunnel. The story represented life, and growing up. Those three settings the beach, bay and tunnel symbolize something in life and the obstacles that come with it. The beach symbolizes childhood. The story described it as crowded, safe and familiar. Also Jerry’s mom was there to watch him at the beach. When you are a child you are protected and safe from everything because your parents are always watching you. You are also familiar with things because you are not taken anywhere big and unsafe that could put you in any harm. When Jerry and his …show more content…
It does not take Jerry only one try to get through the tunnel he has to train himself to hold his breath longer to get through it. “He got his head in, found his shoulders jammed, moved them in sidewise, and was in as far as his waist. He could see nothing ahead.” The first time Jerry tried to swim through the tunnel he couldn’t see anything and needed to get out. That symbolizes the obstacles that you go through during adulthood. He soon gets goggles for himself to see through the tunnel. In life sometimes you will need some help to get through things. Jerry also has many bloody noses in the process but he is determined to get through the tunnel and brushes them off. When the day comes he is ready to go through, he gets his goggles on and swims through. It takes him awhile and he almost felt as if he wouldn’t make it but he pushed through and kept swimming. That is what the tunnel symbolizes, getting through the rough bumps of life and adulthood and triumphing. Your childhood seems to be the easiest part of your years, then you have the transitioning stage of adulthood then you are officially an adult. In “Through the Tunnel” Jerry goes through many obstacles to get to the tunnel and through it. The beach, bay and tunnel all have symbolism of life. Everyone just has different ways of getting through it

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