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A character in The Sheltering Sky

Tunner

The conventional American friend whose attraction to Kit deepens the marriage crisis.

What they want

To win Kit's affection and keep the group within a familiar social world.

The book

Cover of The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
The Sheltering SkyPaul Bowles, 1949

A failing marriage travels deeper into North Africa and loses every familiar form of protection.

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At a glance

Role
the third member of the American triangle
Pressure
The conventional American friend whose attraction to Kit deepens the marriage crisis.
Goal
To win Kit's affection and keep the group within a familiar social world.
Story turn
He searches for Kit after Port's death but she flees before their reunion.

Who they are in the book

Spoiler-free

Tunner is the third member of the american triangle. The conventional American friend whose attraction to Kit deepens the marriage crisis.

The character wants to win kit's affection and keep the group within a familiar social world.. The journey tests that desire against illness, secrecy, money, documents, and unequal power.

He searches for Kit after Port's death but she flees before their reunion. This movement helps explain why travel never becomes the clean escape the Americans imagine.

How the book draws them

Appearance, manner, and tone — as the book sketches them, in our words.

  • Rolethe third member of the American triangle
  • PressureThe conventional American friend whose attraction to Kit deepens the marriage crisis.
  • GoalTo win Kit's affection and keep the group within a familiar social world.
  • Story turnHe searches for Kit after Port's death but she flees before their reunion.
  • ExpressionThe expression should suggest to win kit's affection and keep the group within a familiar social world. rather than generic sadness.
  • Narrative functionTunner makes the novel's argument about travel and isolation personal.
What happens to TunnerHow the book leaves them, what happened after, and what the record says. Open when you're ready.

He searches for Kit after Port's death but she flees before their reunion.

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