Character Analysis: The Cay

In The Cay, Phillip’s character reveals that through many conflicts he developed independence, calmness, and determination. Phillip shows stubbornness after losing his eyesight and does not want to work because he does not think that he can. Then Phillip starts to listen to Timothy which helps Phillip learn more and become more self independent. In the end Phillip evolved as a character through his acts and how he treats people.

Phillip demonstrates independence after experiencing blindness as evidenced in the novel he was able to survive by himself on the cay after Timothy’s death. At the beginning of the novel Phillip experiences anger toward Timothy because Phillip can not see so he gets mad all the time. “ Becoming angry with him I said …show more content…
In the middle Phillip starts to listen to Timothy and starts to learn how to make things and how to survive on the cay. “ In the afternoon, Timothy said we’d make a rope. Chapter. 9(Taylor page 69). Phillip is now developing the ability to walk and do things that he could not have done if it wasn’t for the fact that Timothy helped him and taught him how to move around and work to survive. In the end, Phillip develops independence and knows how to fish for food, build huts and fires, and survive on the island even though Timothy died during the hurricane. “ Get a campfire going, pile new wood for a signal fire, make a rain catchment for the water keg, weave a mat of palm fibers to sleep on.” Chapter. 16(Taylor page 116). Another quote from The Cay that shows how Phillip is now independent is “I accomplished a lot in three days, even putting a new edge on Timothy’s knife by honing it on coral”. Chapter. 16(Taylor pages 116-117). Through a lot of training and teaching Timothy was able to teach Phillip how to survive and …show more content…
At the beginning of the novel Phillip is lazy and blames everything on the fact that he can not see also he does not want to work. “ Then I turned away from where I thought he was”. Chapter. 9( Taylor page 71). Phillip is mad at Timothy because he wants Phillip to work and to try to learn things that could help him survive. Phillip thinks that he can not do anything and does not want to try so Timothy tries to persuade him into working which only makes Phillip angry causing him to stop talking to Timothy. Phillip starts to listen to Timothy and he tries out making the mats which are the things that they sleep on to make them sleep better because the mats are soft. After Phillip starts to listen to Timothy he starts to do other things as well but he will not do a lot because he does not think that he can. “ Slowly, I was beginning to know the island.” Chapter. 11 ( Taylor page 79). Phillip now is exploring the island and becoming more and more helpful he now knows how to make the mats and he knows how to get around the island and even if he trips or falls he gets right back up and keeps going. In the end Phillip goes from lazy and blameful into determined and helpful he now knows how to do all kind of stuff and even though Timothy died he still can survive and make it off the cay. “ I ran across the beach to

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