What is the conflict of through the tunnel?

Answer 1

In "Through the Tunnel" by Doris Lessing, the conflict centers around the protagonist, a young boy named Jerry, who struggles between his desire for independence and the safety of his mother. As he seeks to prove himself capable, he faces both internal and external challenges, particularly his fear of the underwater tunnel that symbolizes his coming-of-age journey. The tension escalates as Jerry grapples with the physical risks of the tunnel while striving to assert his identity and independence from his mother. Ultimately, this conflict highlights themes of maturity, self-discovery, and the transition from childhood to adolescence.