When Jerry first encounters these "big boys -- men to [him]," they're described as being "of that coast, all of them burned smooth dark brown, and speaking a language he did not understand.
the older boys symbolize maturity. -surviving the tunnel represents manhood for jerry. -jerry is called "the english boy" represents jerry as an outsider to the local community and that he has the ability to go out into the world on his own. protagonist. jerry (11 years old, child of single mom, widow)
