Transition from Childhood to Adulthood
The predominant theme of "Through the Tunnel" is the transition from childhood to young adulthood, from innocence to maturity and independence. At the beginning of the story, Jerry is simply intrigued by the rocky beach and tentatively asks his mother if he can explore it on his own. Once he sees the older boys swimming, he develops a compulsion to do the same—to take the risk of hurting himself, even drowning, to prove he is capable on his own. As such, Jerry is at once seduced by the prospect of joining that community and, once he accomplishes his feat, disinterested in proving himself to others. Such a trajectory mirrors one's transition into adulthood, when children are spurred to independence by others but must accomplish that independence on their own.
Parental Anxiety
Notably, the story also presents small insights into Jerry's mother's perspective. As a widow raising an adolescent boy, Jerry's mother is keenly aware that she must embody the roles of both mother and father for her son. As such, she is often struck by anxiety over whether she is being too protective or, conversely, granting Jerry too much independence and endangering his health. Thus, at the same time the story explores a child's transition into adulthood, it also dramatizes a parent's experience as an observer of that transition, suggesting the difficulty in striking a balance between concern and control.
Solitude and Separation
Alongside the theme of transitioning to adulthood is the notion that this transition can only be accomplished through independent and often solitary exploration. Jerry chooses at the beginning of the story to reject the safe, overpopulated beach and instead explore the rocky area on his own. After first attempting to join the group of older boys, it is only after Jerry independently trains himself to swim through the tunnel that he is able to accomplish the feat. Thus, the story suggests that the transition from childhood to adulthood necessitates temporary separation from the comforts and protections of others, even if it is through community that one is inspired to set off on their own.
