In Doris Lessing's short story, "Through the Tunnel", growing up is a difficult and sometimes painful process. Jerry shows that he wants to be independent through the symbolism of how he moves forward from the beach safe, uncertainly enters the wild rocky bay and finally passes through the tunnel. Say no to plagiarism Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayAt the beginning, Jerry shows his desire to be independent through the symbolism of the "safe beach" and the way he leaves. The "safe beach" is the beach that Jerry has "always visited" with his mother with his mother towards the safe beach, his mother notices him looking at his. backs the wild bay beyond them "Are you tired of the same old beach, Jerry?" she asks, he responds quickly and asks to explore the "wild rocks there". She lets him try not to be too protective, Jerry starts swimming towards the sea where he saw his mother: “There it was, a yellow dot under an umbrella that looked like an orange peel.” This shows that the sunny and cheerful colors of yellow and orange characterize the beach and its mother. It is a bright and safe place where Jerry looks when he is uncertain. However, Jerry is trying to free himself from his mother and trying to be independent but at the same time making a slow transition. In the middle of the story, Jerry shows his will to be independent through the symbolism of the “wild and rocky bay” and how he challenges his uncertainty “it seems like a very dangerous place. The water itself features “darker purple and blue spots,” beneath the water “lie rocks like discolored monsters,” and beneath the surface “cold, erratic currents from the deep waters.” This beach is full of dangers, the water dangerous. The connotation of words like “spots” and “monsters” is extremely dark, while the image of purple and blue spots sounds like a bruise. The rocky beach and its dangers symbolize adulthood and the transition to it. Jerry is no longer protected because he is far from his mother, who is a "yellow dot" on the safe beach, Jerry feels independent. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get Custom Essay On this wild beach, Jerry meets older kids who can dive and swim through a tunnel that stays underwater for a long time. When they realize that he cannot pass through the hollow rock under the sea like they do. So, wanting to be like the "big kids", Jerry returns to the mansion and asks for a pair of swimming goggles so he can explore this rock that the older kids pass through. This shows that there is now no one to protect Jerry from the outside world and that he is transitioning from a child to a “big boy”. Works Cited Lessing, D. (1955). Through the Tunnel. In The habit of loving (pp. 51-61). London: Michael Joseph Ltd. Rehman, N. and Rashid, M. (2015). "Through the Tunnel" by Doris Lessing: a symbolic journey of self-discovery. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6(4), 137-144. doi:10.5901/mjss.2015.v6n4p137Lerner, L. (2010). “Through the Tunnel” by Doris Lessing: Crossing the divide. The Explainer, 68(2), 95-98. doi:10.1080/00144940903532889Kakavoulis, M., & Trikki, A. (2021). "Through the Tunnel" by Doris Lessing: A boy's psychological journey to adulthood. Educational Sciences, 11(2), 85. doi:10.3390/educsci11020085Nünning, A., & Nünning, V. (2009). Short stories and textual spaces: the meaning of spatiality in Doris Lessing's "Through the Tunnel". Spatial representations and perception in literary and cultural studies (pp. 245-258). Trier: WVT Wissenschaftlicher Verlag Trier.Birkett, J. (2012). Light..200