Through the Tunnel

What is the theme, or central idea, of “Through the Tunnel”?

• a boy’s rejection of his mother’s opinions

• an individual’s struggle to assert his/her own authority

• a mother’s failure to guide her son

• a child’s vulnerability to destructive peer pressure

What feelings motivate Jerry’s resolution to swim through the tunnel?

• delight in viewing the undersea world

• rebellion against his mother’s strictness

• ambition to be a champion swimmer

• shame at his childishness and fear

Which of the following details would be most useful in answering questions about Jerry’s motivation in “Through the Tunnel”?

• “And yet, as he ran, he looked back over his shoulder at the wild bay; and all morning, as he played on the safe beach, he was thinking of it.”

• “The boys were gathering up their bits of clothing and running off along the shore to another promontory. They were leaving to get away from him.”

• “He knew he must find his way through that cave, or hole, or tunnel, and out the other side.”

• “He took the edges of the hole in his hands and drew himself into it, wriggling his shoulders in sidewise as he remembered he must, kicking himself along with his feet.”

Jerry’s preparations to swim the tunnel are:

• determined and carefully planned

• sloppy and careless.

• impulsive and irrational

• timid and hesitant

At the end of the story, Jerry feels:

• disappointed and ashamed.

• proud and satisfied.

• excited and proud.

• defiant and sullen

By the end of the story, Jerry has lost interest in the cave because he:

• knows he has attained his goal.

• succumbs to his mother’s pressure

• understands his efforts were pointless

• realizes how dangerous the tunnel is.

What might be a theme of "Through the Tunnel?" The "theme" is what the story is about, but goes deeper than just plot.

• A boy rejecting his mother's authority

• A boy giving in to peer pressure

• A boy trying to grow up and gain independence

• A boy taking a dangerous risk but surviving

What inspires Jerry to go swimming through the tunnel?

• He saw other boys doing it.

• His mom said he couldn't.

• He wanted to show off his swimming skills to a girl he met.

• He was bored.

How does he feel when he first enters the tunnel?

• Excited and ready to swim through it

• Terrified but determined to get through it

• No longer interested in swimming through it

If the beach where his mother is represents safety, what does the rocky bay represent?

• unknown

• adventure

• growing up

• all of the other answers are correct

• newness