1. “Through the Tunnel”
Think of a time when you tried to “prove” yourself to others by doing something risky.
Describe what you did
Describe the risk
Describe what you hoped to prove
Describe the outcome

2. Through the Tunnel

3. “Through the Tunnel” Plot Sequence
Jerry and his mother go to the beach. …
The local boys come diving around Jerry.

4. “Through the Tunnel” Plot Sequence
Jerry and his mother go to the beach.
Jerry is torn between the safe beach of his mother’s and the wild, rocky bay.
Jerry leaves his mother and goes to the bay.
Jerry looks for and finds his mother from the bay.
The local boys come diving around Jerry.

5. “Through the Tunnel” Plot Sequence
Jerry tries to befriend the boys. …
Jerry swims through the tunnel.

6. “Through the Tunnel” Plot Sequence
Jerry tries to befriend the boys.
One boy swims through the tunnel; then all the boys swim through the tunnel; this represents a separation between Jerry and the boys.
Jerry challenges himself to swim through the tunnel.
Jerry conditions his body to swim through the tunnel.
Jerry swims through the tunnel.

7. “Through the Tunnel” Questions
What makes Jerry feel humiliated in front of the older boys?
List the specific things Jerry does to condition his body for swimming through the tunnel.

8. “Through the Tunnel” Questions
How does Jerry feel about himself after swimming through the tunnel?
Why do you think it was important for him to take the risk he did? What was he trying to prove… to his mother, to the older boys, to himself?

9. “Through the Tunnel” Questions
5. One reader stated that Jerry’s success was a “hollow victory.” What is a “hollow victory”? Do you agree with the reader… why or why not?