Discussion Topic

Phillip's evolving relationship with Timothy and the impact of Timothy's sacrifice

Summary:

Phillip's evolving relationship with Timothy is marked by initial feelings of superiority and gradual dependence. Early on, Phillip dismisses Timothy's help and feels superior due to racial prejudices. However, as they struggle for survival, Phillip realizes his dependence on Timothy, especially when Timothy leaves Phillip alone, causing Phillip to panic. Timothy's sacrifice further cements Phillip's understanding of their deep, mutual reliance.

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In The Cay, how and why does Phillip's attitude towards Timothy change? What ultimate sacrifice does Timothy make for Phillip?

When Phillip is first stranded at sea and then on an island with Timothy after Phillip's ship explodes, Phillip is dismissive and condescending towards Timothy. Phillip has learned from his mother that black people are inferior, and he treats Timothy as if the older man is his servant. In fact, Timothy calls Phillip "young bahss" to reflect the boy's attitude towards him.

Over time, Phillip recognizes Timothy's patience and wisdom, as Timothy teaches Phillip how to survive on the island after Phillip is blinded. Phillip has to rely entirely on Timothy, and he begins to recognize Timothy's humanity and to be concerned about him, as Timothy is concerned about him. During a tropical storm, Timothy makes the ultimate sacrifice, as he protects Phillip with his own body and dies as a result. By this time, Phillip mourns for his lost friend.

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Phillip treated Timothy with disrespect. He demanded more of...

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the water rations than was his share, refused to help set up shelter, and viewed Timothy with stereotypical disdain. He found Timothy's inability to read or write further reason to ignore his advice.

This begins to change when Timothy finally snaps and slaps him for his behavior. This seems to awaken some respect for Timothy, and he begins to see the value in his advice for survival and self-sufficiency.

Timothy's ultimate sacrifice comes when he shields Phillip from the worst of the effects of the hurricane, despite being stricken with malaria. Timothy ultimately dies from the injuries he received.

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In "The Cay", what two events reveal Phillip's conflicting feelings of dependence and superiority towards Timothy?

I would support the argument that there are more than only two occasions when Phillip realizes that he needs Timothy, yet he still feels superior to Timothy. One early example occurs when the two characters are still on the raft after their ship was torpedoed. Phillip and Timothy are completely exposed to the tortuous sun, and it is Timothy that quickly and powerfully rigs up a crude shelter on the raft in order to protect Phillip from the burning sun. Phillip quickly falls asleep in the cooler air. When he wakes up, Phillip asks for Timothy's name. We read that Phillip has always been taught to use the title "Mr." with an adult; however, Phillip doesn't think that he has to do that with Timothy because Timothy is black.

Chapter 9 provides readers with another good example. Phillip knows that having sleeping mats will be an improvement to their shelter and allow them better sleep. That is key for survival. Unfortunately, Phillip believes that Timothy needs to make the mats, and Phillip angrily calls Timothy an ugly, stupid black man when Timothy further encourages Phillip to make the mats. Timothy slaps Phillip, and the moment is a turning point in their relationship.

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Since the S.S. Hato was torpedoed, Phillip has lost his eyesight and his mother. He now finds himself stranded on an island with a man he barely knows and essentially no survival skills.

As a result, he feels dependent on Timothy. When Timothy leaves Phillip to explore the island, Phillip feels alone and frightened. He begins to worry that Timothy has fallen and is hurt. He worries that Timothy won't return and he will have to fend for himself. When Stew Cat brushes against Phillip's arm, Phillip screams in terror.

When Timothy returns, Phillip yells

"Never leave me again. Don't you ever leave me again!"

This shows his dependence on Timothy for survival.

However, Phillip also feels superior to Timothy. For example, when they are constructing the word "help" on the beach out of stones, Phillip learns that Timothy cannot spell.

"I felt good. I knew how to do something that Timothy couldn't do. He couldn't spell. I felt superior to Timothy that day, but I let him play his little game, pretending not to know that he really couldn't spell."

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