The changes that Phillip goes through mentally and physically are many, but the changes deep inside his heart are more. Phillip does a lot of changing in his attitudes and feelings toward Timothy from the time they meet to the end of the story. When Phillip first meets Timothy, he acts how any other 11 year old, white, boy at that time, and with his background would; rude, racist, and a bit of a know-it-all. Later on, mostly once they are on the cay, Phillip begins to be kind, respectful, and friendly towards Timothy. By the end of the book, and after the end of their time together, Phillip has completely changed everything he once thought about the “ugly black man” and looks at him like he is family. At first, Phillip is rude, racist, and acts superior to Timothy. He even says that his father told him to call any male adult “mister” but according to Phillip, “Timothy didn’t seem to be a mister. Besides, he was black”. (pg 34) With this, he is basically saying he won’t call Timothy mister because he is black. Lastly, Phillip thinks of Timothy as “ugly”, “Negro”, and “stupid”.
…show more content…
Phillip says to him “I want to be your friend” (pg 72) and acknowledges in his head that he began to change that day. By this point, because he is now blind, Phillip has become reliant on Timothy; “I did not want to think of the possibility of Timothy dying” (pg 81). Phillip has now accepted Timothy as a friend, but has realized how much he needs him in order to
Phillip says to him “I want to be your friend” (pg 72) and acknowledges in his head that he began to change that day. By this point, because he is now blind, Phillip has become reliant on Timothy; “I did not want to think of the possibility of Timothy dying” (pg 81). Phillip has now accepted Timothy as a friend, but has realized how much he needs him in order to