Jerry, the protagonist in Through the Tunnel, is very devoted to completing his mission. He has multiple difficulties that he has to face along the way. Jerry does everything it takes, no matter what the consequence may be. Nothing will limit Jerry from reaching his aspirations. Through the Tunnel, by Doris Lessing demonstrates how commitment can help reach a goal.
When Jerry goes on a beach vacation with his mother he finds some rocks where there are other boys. He feels a certain need to be among them. “To be with them, of them, was a craving that filled his whole body. He swam a little closer, they turned and watched him with narrowed, alert dark eyes.” (Lessing, p. 244) When the boys get closer they wave to him and are somewhat inclusive. …show more content…
After some rest he realizes, if he wants to get through the tunnel, then he is missing something important. He asks his mother for swimming goggles. “‘I want some swimming goggles’ he panted, defiant and beseeching. She gave him a patient, inquisitive look as she said casually, ‘Well of course, darling.’”(p.246) He is ecstatic that his mother agreed. He knows that he is now one step closer to his target. His mother then makes him take a break and he feels as if he is being tortured. What Jerry does not know is that he very much needs that break. The challenge he is facing is causing him external suffering. His training to hold his breath longer was hurting his body. He is in pain, but nothing is holding him back. “his nose bled badly. For hours he had been underwater, learning how to hold his breath, and now he felt weak and dizzy.” (p.247) His nose is bleeding and he is nauseous from earlier in the day. He continues to exercise his lungs the next day and that night his nose bleeds again. Yet, he continues to try. He dives down into the depths of the ocean again the next day. This dive, was the dive that will bring him through the tunnel. This is by far the most difficult swim he has had. His lungs are feeling pressured and his whole body begins to feel weak. Despite all of this, Jerry knows he can do
When Jerry goes on a beach vacation with his mother he finds some rocks where there are other boys. He feels a certain need to be among them. “To be with them, of them, was a craving that filled his whole body. He swam a little closer, they turned and watched him with narrowed, alert dark eyes.” (Lessing, p. 244) When the boys get closer they wave to him and are somewhat inclusive. …show more content…
After some rest he realizes, if he wants to get through the tunnel, then he is missing something important. He asks his mother for swimming goggles. “‘I want some swimming goggles’ he panted, defiant and beseeching. She gave him a patient, inquisitive look as she said casually, ‘Well of course, darling.’”(p.246) He is ecstatic that his mother agreed. He knows that he is now one step closer to his target. His mother then makes him take a break and he feels as if he is being tortured. What Jerry does not know is that he very much needs that break. The challenge he is facing is causing him external suffering. His training to hold his breath longer was hurting his body. He is in pain, but nothing is holding him back. “his nose bled badly. For hours he had been underwater, learning how to hold his breath, and now he felt weak and dizzy.” (p.247) His nose is bleeding and he is nauseous from earlier in the day. He continues to exercise his lungs the next day and that night his nose bleeds again. Yet, he continues to try. He dives down into the depths of the ocean again the next day. This dive, was the dive that will bring him through the tunnel. This is by far the most difficult swim he has had. His lungs are feeling pressured and his whole body begins to feel weak. Despite all of this, Jerry knows he can do