Discussion Topic
Challenges and Problems Faced by Timothy and Phillip in The Cay
Summary:
In The Cay, Timothy and Phillip face numerous challenges, including surviving a shipwreck, dealing with limited food and water supplies, and overcoming racial prejudices. Additionally, Phillip's blindness creates further difficulties in their struggle to survive on a deserted island.
What challenges do Timothy and Phillip encounter in chapters 2 and 3 of The Cay?
In chapter 2 of The Cay, Phillip's parents get into an almighty row about their future plans. Phillip's mother, Grace, wants the family to return to Virginia, but her husband says it's way too dangerous unless Grace is prepared to fly. But as Grace is not prepared to do so, this is not a viable option.
Phillip's caught up in the middle of all this. As one can imagine, he doesn't like to hear his parents arguing. He also doesn't like the prospect of leaving the island he calls home; he will miss the people and animals here. Not surprisingly, Phillip is kept awake at night, wondering what his future might hold.
As it turns out, Phillip's immediate future is worse than he could possibly have imagined. In chapter 3, the ship transporting him and his mother off the island is hit by a torpedo. When he wakes up...
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from his ordeal, Phillip finds himself aboard a raft with a West Indian man named Timothy. Both Phillip and Timothy are faced with the immediate problem of making sure that they have food and shelter as they drift along the ocean.
Timothy attempts to deal with this problem by constructing a makeshift shelter out of pieces of old raft and clothing. He also catches some fish, which he shares with Phillip. The young boy finds it much more difficult to deal with the problems of living on a raft due to his tender years and sense of entitlement. Furthermore, Phillip is racially prejudiced towards Timothy, and this is yet another problem he will have to deal with in due course.
What problems did Timothy and Phillip encounter in The Cay?
Most of the book is focused on the problems that Timothy and Phillip experience. The two characters find themselves marooned on a small cay after their ship is hit by torpedoes. Their chance at a quick rescue is squashed, because their small cay is a remote part of the area called the Devil's Mouth. It is outside of standard shipping lanes, so there isn't any chance at being spotted by a passing ship. In general, the main problems for Phillip and Timothy are finding food, water, and shelter. The cay has food and fresh water, but it doesn't have them in large amounts. As for shelter, the two have to make do with what they have. Fortunately, Timothy is a very knowledgeable man when it comes to building what they need and teaching Phillip how to scavenge for food. Then of course, there is the weather to contend with. At one point, the island is hit by a hurricane, and Phillip only survives because Timothy physically shields the boy from the storm's worst furies. Phillip has never really had to work all that hard in his life, so his new life focused on survival is quite a world changer. Their entire situation is made more difficult by the fact that Phillip is now blind. He not only has to learn new skills, but he also can't even depend on his eyes to help him learn those new skills or even accomplish the things he does know how to do. Finally, the relationship between the two characters is not without struggles. Phillip is quite the prejudiced kid at the beginning of the story, and he and Phillip struggle to be around each other. It's again thanks to Timothy's patience and perseverance that the relationship improves, and the two characters become good friends.