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1. Both Paul in “The Rocking-Horse Winner” and Jerry in “Through the Tunnel” set a challenge for themselves. What is the challenge for each, and what motivates each toward his goals? How are the challenges similar and different?

Answer:

Both Paul in “The Rocking-Horse Winner” and Jerry in “Through the Tunnel” set a challenge for themselves, in “The Rocking-Horse Winner”, Paul challenged himself to prove to his mother that he has luck, as his mother believes that if Paul is lucky, he will be able to earn money, thus resulting in his mother loving him. He thinks that if he takes on his family's financial burden and responsibilities as well as solving their problems, his mother will appreciate him. Paul was motivated toward his goal because he was determined to achieve it and gain his mothers love and affection as well as proving to her that he is lucky. In “Through the Tunnel”, Jerry challenged himself to swim through the tunnel, the local boys were able to hold their breaths long enough to swim through the tunnel, which showed Jerry what he was also capable of doing. He trained everyday to be able to swim through the tunnel. What motivated Jerry was his determination to be like the local boys and be able to hold his breath long enough to swim through the tunnel, and to be able to gain the skills and have the confidence he sees in the local boys. Both challenges are similar in a way that the main characters both have challenges and goals in order to prove something to someone, whether it is to prove it to themselves like Jerry or prove it to someone else like Paul, that they are capable enough to succeed and achieve their goal. The difference is that their motives are very different. Paul wants to show his mother that he is lucky in order to gain her affection and love whereas Jerry wants to swim through the tunnel in order to prove to himself that he is as capable as the local boys are, as well as swimming through the tunnel symbolizes the transition from childhood to adulthood for Jerry. Jerry loves his mother very much, and feels connected to her, though, he is forced to transition into adulthood. Even though he wants to leave his mother behind and become an adult, he still wants her to always be there for him.