In Theodore Taylor's The Cay, the main character, named Philip, develops many positive characteristics, in which he can benefit from. Philip is introduced to a new life when he becomes blind and stranded in sea with an old african american named Timothy. Timothy is both mentally and physically stronger then Philip. He shows him how to survive and resolve a problem when he is in a tough situation instead of panicking. In The Cay, Philip’s character reveals independence, consideration, and acceptance.
Philip demonstrates independence after experiencing blindness as evidenced in the novel when he was able to survive by himself on the cay after Timothy’s death. In the beginning of the novel, Philip was helpless when he fell into the shark infested …show more content…
During the course of the beginning of the novel, Philip wanted to run away from his parents, so he would not have to leave the island. As stated in the book, ¨I thought about going somewhere and hiding until the ship had sailed, but on an island the size of Curacao, there is no place to hide.” (Taylor 24). Philip did not care about his parents decision to move to Virginia to be safe. Timothy become sick in the middle of the book, so Philip tended to him to try to make him healthy again. In the book, Philip states “The I ripped a piece of cloth from what was left of my shirt, dampened it with water, and placed it on his forehead… so I just sat beside him holding the cloth. I talked to him constantly,but he didn't even seem to know I was there.” (Taylor 89). Philip was concerned about Timothy's wellbeing. At the end of the story, Philip was rescued and wanted to go back to the cay and visit Timothy's grave someday. Philip implies that he will sail a ship to Devil's Mouth and find the island where Timothy is buried. (Taylor 141). Philip cared so much about Timothy that when he was rescued he wanted to go back to the island one day and visit his grave site. Over the course of the novel Philip has developed many positive character traits due to the conflicts he has faced and
Philip demonstrates independence after experiencing blindness as evidenced in the novel when he was able to survive by himself on the cay after Timothy’s death. In the beginning of the novel, Philip was helpless when he fell into the shark infested …show more content…
During the course of the beginning of the novel, Philip wanted to run away from his parents, so he would not have to leave the island. As stated in the book, ¨I thought about going somewhere and hiding until the ship had sailed, but on an island the size of Curacao, there is no place to hide.” (Taylor 24). Philip did not care about his parents decision to move to Virginia to be safe. Timothy become sick in the middle of the book, so Philip tended to him to try to make him healthy again. In the book, Philip states “The I ripped a piece of cloth from what was left of my shirt, dampened it with water, and placed it on his forehead… so I just sat beside him holding the cloth. I talked to him constantly,but he didn't even seem to know I was there.” (Taylor 89). Philip was concerned about Timothy's wellbeing. At the end of the story, Philip was rescued and wanted to go back to the cay and visit Timothy's grave someday. Philip implies that he will sail a ship to Devil's Mouth and find the island where Timothy is buried. (Taylor 141). Philip cared so much about Timothy that when he was rescued he wanted to go back to the island one day and visit his grave site. Over the course of the novel Philip has developed many positive character traits due to the conflicts he has faced and