Characters
Phillip Enright Jr
The principal character in The Cay is Phillip Enright Jr., an eleven-year-old boy who is shipwrecked as he returns to the old family home in Norfolk, Virginia, from Willemstad, Curacao. Early in the novel, Phillip considers war a game only slightly more serious than the pirate raids he stages with his friends. After German submarines attack the island, he disobeys his mother and visits the harbor to look for enemy ships. A typical child, he is upset at the prospect of returning to Virginia with his mother, insisting that he will not leave his friends. When their ship, the S.S. Hato, is torpedoed and Phillip finds himself alone on a raft with Timothy, he is filled with self-pity, concerned only about the head wound he suffered while abandoning the sinking Hato and his separation from his mother and father. At first Phillip behaves irresponsibly, demanding extra water and stumbling off the raft. He opposes landing on The Cay and, once there, insults Timothy and refuses to help construct their shelter.
Gradually, however, Phillip comes to respect Timothy's superior knowledge, and develops the courage to climb palm trees and retrieve coconuts, the self-discipline to rebuild the shelter after a storm, and the self-reliance to find food for himself and his adopted cat, Stew Cat, after he has buried Timothy. When he is rescued and returned to Willemstad, Phillip has trouble communicating his experiences and feels much older than his friends.
As Phillip becomes more mature, he gains independence and the ability to survive despite his physical limitations. He learns that there are many kinds of strength, some of them much more important than physical strength. After Timothy's death, Phillip must find the emotional strength to rely upon himself as well as the mental strength to think for himself and to remember what Timothy has taught him.
Taylor clearly intends to suggest that Phillip's prejudices are eliminated by his experience of nearly ideal friendship on The Cay. To emphasize this theme, Taylor employs the device of physical blindness as a metaphor for ignorance and bias; through blindness, Phillip gains insight, and though his sight is restored after his return to civilized society, his attitudes are permanently changed.
Underlying the novel is an anti-war theme. Though Phillip at first reacts to the submarines' presence in Curacao's harbor with childish excitement, he begins to recognize the brutality of war when he witnesses an attack on the S.S. Empire Tern, a British tanker torpedoed off the coast of the island. Timothy comments on the senseless cruelty of war; when Phillip blames his mother for his plight, Timothy sarcastically responds, "she started dis terrible wahr, eh, young bahss?"
Expert Q&A
What action does Phillip not take when he first realizes his blindness in The Cay?
When Phillip first realizes he is blind, he does not take any action of acceptance or calmness. Instead, he reacts with panic and fear, screaming that he is blind and desperately trying to see by blinking and touching his eyes. He experiences intense fear, calls out for his parents, and eventually lashes out in anger at Timothy. Phillip's initial response is characterized by denial, fear, and anger rather than rational acceptance.
What does Phillip mean in The Cay when he says, "His eyes were becoming mine?"
When Phillip says, "His eyes were becoming mine," he means he is beginning to rely on Timothy's vision due to his own blindness. Phillip must trust Timothy to describe their surroundings, spot planes or ships, and warn him of dangers like sharks. This dependency highlights Phillip's growing trust and bond with Timothy, as he relies on him to navigate their environment and understand what is happening around them.
In The Cay, can you provide an example of Phillip not wanting to leave the island?
Phillip demonstrates his reluctance to leave the island by arguing with his mother, accusing her of cowardice, and expressing hatred towards her. He briefly considers hiding to avoid departure but realizes it's impractical. Phillip also pleads with his father to let him stay, but his father insists he leaves with his mother for safety reasons. Despite his protests, Phillip's father finalizes the decision for him to depart with his mother.
How does Phillip feel when Timothy reveals he can't read or write, and what does this reveal about Phillip?
Phillip feels smug and superior when he discovers Timothy's illiteracy, highlighting his immaturity. This reaction occurs as they spell "help" with stones, and Phillip realizes Timothy can't spell. Despite Timothy's superior survival skills and fatherly demeanor, Phillip momentarily feels empowered by his literacy skills. This situation reveals Phillip's lack of maturity and understanding that their survival relies on teamwork and mutual respect, rather than a competition of abilities.
Why wasn't Phillip frightened by the war in The Cay by Theodore Taylor?
Phillip is initially not frightened by the war due to his immaturity and lack of understanding about its true nature. He is swept up in the excitement and curiosity of the events, without comprehending the danger and destruction involved. He feels invincible, unable to imagine personal harm. His perception changes after witnessing the torpedoing of the Empire Tern, leading him to understand that war entails death and destruction.
What did Philip want to take off the island in The Cay?
In "The Cay," Phillip wanted to take Timothy's knife off the island with him. During his rescue, a sailor retrieved the knife from a palm tree trunk. Phillip and Stew Cat were then taken aboard a destroyer searching for German submarines. After docking in Panama, Phillip underwent surgeries to restore his eyesight, but continued to wear glasses. He later moved with his family, always remembering Timothy and the island.
What causes Phillip in The Cay to fall off the raft into the shark-infested waters?
Phillip falls off the raft into shark-infested waters due to his excitement upon hearing Timothy describe an island in the distance. Despite being warned about the dangers, Phillip's eagerness leads him to lose balance and tumble into the sea. Timothy promptly rescues him, preventing any harm from the sharks.
Phillip and Timothy's Evolving Relationship in The Cay
In The Cay by Theodore Taylor, Phillip's relationship with Timothy evolves significantly. Initially, Phillip harbors racial prejudice, viewing Timothy as inferior and treating him disrespectfully. However, as they are stranded together, Phillip becomes reliant on Timothy's survival skills. Timothy teaches Phillip essential skills like fishing and climbing, fostering independence despite his blindness. Through this, Phillip's perception changes, leading to a deep friendship. Timothy's sacrifices and guidance profoundly influence Phillip, helping him overcome his bias and learn respect and self-reliance.
What two emotions convey Phillip's confusion about being alone in The Cay?
Phillip experienced anger and fear when he was alone, but he also experienced gratitude.
How was Phillip selfish in the novel The Cay?
Phillip shows selfishness in The Cay by initially prioritizing his own needs and failing to understand Timothy's perspective. He complains about water rationing, accusing Timothy of hoarding it, and refuses to help with camp tasks, citing his blindness. His selfishness stems from fear and inexperience, but he eventually learns to trust and respect Timothy, overcoming his prejudices and childish self-centeredness to form a genuine friendship.
Timothy
Other than Phillip, Timothy is the only character developed in any detail, and the increasing depth of his characterization reflects Phillip's maturing sensibilities. Phillip is unaware of Timothy until he regains consciousness and finds himself stranded on the life raft with this old man who he condescendingly decides "look[s] pure African." Phillip loses his sight only after three days at sea; before that, he is able to see his raftmate. He describes Timothy in stereotypical terms, mentioning his "flat" nose, "pink-purple lips," "face [that] couldn't have been blacker," "mass of wiry gray hair," and very white teeth, and he repeatedly refers to Timothy's ugliness over the course of the book, thus establishing and reinforcing this negative image.
Timothy's behavior is gentle and considerate. On the raft, when Phillip is obviously suffering physical and psychological pain, Timothy patiently allows himself to become the target of Phillip's resentment. By addressing the boy as "young bahss," he behaves according to Phillip's expectations and thus further calms his anxieties. Nevertheless, Timothy combines firmness with kindness. He carefully rations water, shames Phillip into weaving sleeping mats, encourages the boy to explore the beach, and cajoles him into climbing the palm tree. When Phillip tries Timothy's patience too far and the old man responds with a slap, Phillip begins to respect his companion.
Expert Q&A
Why did Timothy slap Phillip in The Cay?
Timothy slaps Phillip in "The Cay" to confront his racism and ignorance. Phillip, blind and frustrated, hurls racial insults at Timothy during an argument about weaving mats. Timothy's slap serves as a pivotal moment, forcing Phillip to realize his dependence on Timothy for survival and emotional support. This incident marks the beginning of Phillip's transformation, leading him to seek friendship with Timothy, acknowledging him as an equal.
How does Timothy's dialect in The Cay positively and negatively portray his character and culture?
What does Phillip observe about Timothy when discussing his eyes in "The Cay"?
Phillip observes that Timothy often changes the subject when discussing Phillip's eyes, likely because Timothy doesn't know how to help with the blindness and wants to maintain Phillip's hope of regaining sight. In Chapter 10, Timothy describes Phillip as "veree brown an' veree lean" and notes his eyes "stare." When discussing a friend who regained sight after temporary blindness, Timothy inconsistently recounts the recovery time, then shifts the conversation to their tasks.
In "The Cay," how does Timothy predict and prepare for a storm?
Timothy predicts the storm by observing changes in the weather, such as the absence of trade winds, a "crack like d'rifle" sound, and a yellowish sky, indicating an early and severe hurricane. To prepare, he secures essential supplies high on a palm tree, ties a rope for them to hold onto, and ensures they eat well before the storm. Timothy, experienced with storms, understands the potential danger and prepares Phillip for survival in case he doesn't make it.
What is Timothy's family background in The Cay?
Timothy has an uncertain family background, as he was an orphan raised by Hannah Gumbs in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He doesn't know his parents or his exact birthdate, estimating he's "Lil' more dan sixty." Timothy has no known African roots, and his life has been spent sailing the Caribbean islands, with no memories beyond them. Legally, he is American, but he hadn't considered this aspect of his identity much.
In Theodore Taylor's The Cay, how does the reader know Timothy is superstitious?
Readers know Timothy is superstitious through his belief in "jumbi," or evil spirits, as depicted in Chapter Eleven. He attributes their lack of rescue to a "jumbi" on the island, reflecting his cultural background steeped in West Indian mysticism and voodoo. Timothy's conviction in these superstitions, such as believing a cat might be a "jumbi," highlights his cultural heritage and contrasts with Phillip's skepticism.
In The Cay, why does Timothy believe they are lucky?
Timothy says they have good luck because they have some supplies on the raft, a statement in keeping with his overall optimism.
Timothy's Influence on Phillip's Independence and Survival in "The Cay"
In The Cay, Timothy plays a crucial role in Phillip's journey towards independence and survival. Initially, Phillip's prejudices and reliance on Timothy are evident, but Timothy's teachings foster self-reliance and perseverance in Phillip. Timothy prepares Phillip for survival by teaching him essential skills, which become vital after Timothy's death. Phillip's ability to adapt and survive alone signifies his growth and the invaluable legacy Timothy leaves, transforming Phillip's perspective on race and self-confidence.
What is the result of Timothy's malaria attack in The Cay?
As a result of Timothy's malaria attack, Phillip is forced to take care of him, and Timothy is permanently weakened.
Characteristics and description of Timothy from "The Cay."
Timothy from "The Cay" is a large, elderly West Indian man with a deep, gravelly voice and broad, muscular build. He is kind, resourceful, and protective, showing wisdom and patience, especially in his relationship with Phillip. Despite his lack of formal education, Timothy demonstrates survival skills and a deep understanding of nature, which prove crucial on the cay.
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