Discussion Topic
Characteristics and description of Timothy from "The Cay."
Summary:
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.
How would you best describe Timothy in Chapter 3 of "The Cay"?
In Chapter 3, when Timothy rescues Phillip and the two are stranded on a raft in the middle of the ocean, Phillip shows himself to be capable, practical, firm, encouraging, and optimistic. Timothy witnessed Phillip getting "a mos' terrible crack on d'ead...(by) a strong-back", and managed to pull him out of the water and onto the raft. He then uses "his powerful arms and hands to rip up boards from the outside edges of the raft", and pounding them together and using his own clothes and Phillip's, he fashions a shelter so they can escape the merciless sun. Timothy further demonstrates his capability and practicality by rationing their water and catching fish so that their supply of biscuits will last longer if need be. When Phillip selfishly insists on having more water and falsely accuses Timothy of keeping it for himself, Timothy is polite but firm and unyielding.
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being in a position of superiority with black people, Phillip is rude and unsulting to Timothy at times, but Timothy never reacts with anger. He instead remainsencouraging and optimistic, comforting Phillip when he is sick and focusing always on their good fortune in at least having water and supplies. Timothy is hopeful that they will be rescued, yet at the same time he very practically prepares for the worst in case he might be wrong. Timothy tells Phillip "do not be despair", and cautions him that "we mus' be wise 'bout what we 'ave" (Chapter 3).
What are some adjectives to describe Timothy from The Cay?
The Cay by Theodore Taylor traces the events after a boy and his mother leave Willemstad, Curacao because, due to the Second World War, life is not safe on the island. It isn't long before a torpedo hits their ship and they are ushered into lifeboats, but Phillip is separated from his mother and finds himself on a lifeboat with Timothy.
Adjectives are describing words and they describe nouns (the naming words), adding interest and detail to information. Timothy is a kind man so "kind" is the adjective describing man. The reader knows he is kind because of his actions towards Phillip. He rescued him and now is consoling Phillip over the whereabouts of his mother, assuring Phillip that she is, "safe an' sound..." This also shows that he is compassionate - compassionate is an adjective to describe his feelings. He is brave (adjective), saving Phillip when there were sharks in the water and courageous (adjective) during the hurricane. He is also knowledgeable (adjective) when he discusses the fact that Phillip's blindness could have resulted from his knock on the head.
Timothy has a positive outlook (positive is the adjective describing his outlook) or attitude as he appreciates the "few biscuit, some choclade," and the fact that the "matches in d'tin is dry." However, he knows that if they are to survive, he must be tough. Phillip does not understand this and sees only "a stubborn, old man." (Stubborn and old are the adjectives.) So Timothy is also strict and tough.
Timothy is described as "black, huge, old...ugly" all of which are adjectives describing Timothy himself. His features are also described using adjectives; for example, his nose is "flat" and his face is "broad" with a "mass of wiry, grey hair." Wiry and grey are the adjectives describing his hair. He has "bloodshot eyes...and scarred skin." Bloodshot and scarred are the adjectives. We also know that Timothy is West-Indian which is apparent for two reasons; Phillip "knew he was" and because of the language he uses which is very colloquial. The reader knows that Timothy is about sixty years old although he is not sure of his exact age, which shocks Phillip. So sixty describes his age. Finally, Timothy is unforgettable.