Discussion Topic
The relationship and feelings between Stew Cat and Timothy in "The Cay"
Summary:
The relationship between Stew Cat and Timothy in "The Cay" is one of mutual dependence and companionship. Timothy treats Stew Cat with care and respect, seeing him as a source of comfort and normalcy amidst their survival ordeal. Their bond reflects Timothy's compassionate nature and adds emotional depth to the story.
Describe the relationship between Stew Cat and Timothy in "The Cay".
Timothy had been a worker on the deck gang of the Hato. Stew Cat belonged to the cook on the ship, and when the Hato went down, Timothy was able to drag himself and Phillip onto a raft. When the cat, who had been thrown into the sea and was covered with oil from the stricken ship, climbed onto the raft as well, Timothy "'ad no heart to trow 'im off".
Timothy is kind enough of Stew Cat, but does not appear to be particularly fond of him. To Timothy, the creature is just an animal who happens to be with them, but to Phillip, Stew Cat is a much-needed companion. Timothy tolerates the cat because he knows he is important to Phillip, good-naturedly returning to the raft to fetch him when they find land and depositing him into Phillip's lap. When Timothy comes to believe that the cat is...
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the source of their bad luck on the cay, and would personally prefer that he be removed from the island so their luck can change, he preserves the cat's life out of consideration for Phillip, painstakingly going out of his way to put Stew Cat on the raft moored safely just offshore so that he can perform the required ritual of of purification without the offending entity's presence.
What are Timothy's likely feelings towards Stew Cat in The Cay?
Timothy definitely has mixed feelings about Stew Cat. The first thing that we know about Timothy and Stew Cat is that Timothy couldn't bring himself to throw the cat off the raft back into the ocean.
Dis is Stew, d'cook's cat. He climb on d'raff, an' I 'ad no heart to trow 'im off.
Readers will find out a bit more about why Timothy didn't throw the cat back in chapter 5. It's clear that Timothy doesn't want the cat around. He is a very superstitious individual, and he believes in spirits ("jumbi") and luck. Timothy absolutely doesn't want the cat around. He believes that the cat is bad luck; however, he also believes that killing and getting rid of the cat will bring even worse luck.
"D'cot not good luck." After a moment he added, "But to cause d'death of a cot is veree bad luck."
Eventually, Timothy comes to tolerate Stew Cat. He really doesn't like the cat; however, he knows that Phillip does. Timothy knows that Phillip is comforted by the cat's presence. It's an incredibly loving gesture on Timothy's part. He firmly believes that the cat is bad luck, and he absolutely wants nothing to do with the cat; however, he is always willing to place the cat in Phillip's lap.