• “Rocks lay like discolored monsters.” This simile forms the image that the rocks are frightening and may harm or cause damage.
• “He began splashing and kicking in the water like a foolish dog.” This simile is comparing the way Jerry is swimming to the way a dog would if it didn’t have its instinctive nature.
Similes
The author Doris Lessing uses a great amount of imagery in her short story. A few examples would be when she uses descriptions to make the dangerous beach seem exciting and mysterious while she provides the reader with images of the safe beach as being harmless. Lessing also provides imagery of the underwater world into which Jerry ventures. She plants an image in the reader’s brain of the colorful and miraculous fish and plant life around him.
Imagery
• “Over a middle region where rock lay like discolored monsters…”
• Connotation: The connotative meaning of this citation is explaining that the rocks appear to be terrifying and almost intimidating.
• Denotation: The literal meaning of this sentence reveals that the rocks were actually hideously colored and shaped to the formation of what a monster would look like.
Connotation / Denotation
1.) Ultimately challenge yourself and be satisfied with just succeeding rather than trying to impress someone.
•This theme is implicitly stated by the author because in the story, Jerry never tells anyone of what he has accomplished. He has exceeded his own limits, and for him knowing that is enough.
2.) If you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything.
• The author implicitly states this theme since Jerry was so concentrated and determined on his one goal of being able to make it through the tunnel. He had days of preparation beforehand and in the end, finally overcame the obstacle he had wished for.