Jannette M. Hernndez Calo M00364314 EDUC 3187 Prof.

Czarina Rodrguez

Book Talk The Cay by Theodore Taylor

The year is 1942; Germany has already initiated its plan for the creation of an empire, bringing with it one of the most devastating conflicts in human history, World War II. It involved a vast majority of nations and in Theodore Taylors book The Cay, Curacao is no exception.

The Cay presents the story of 11 year old boy Phillip Enright Jr., who lives in Willemstad,Curacao with his American family, after his father accepts a job at a refinery to help increase the production of aviation gas. On a February night in 1942, the refinery is attacked by German submarines bringing the conflict to the Caribbean island. As the months pass by, Phillips mother gets more anxious about the situation and wants to leave the island to go back to Virginia. Phillips father cant leave, but agrees to their departure. Finally in early April, Phillip and his mother are ready to

leave Curacao on a small ship called the S.S. Hato. During their journey the ship gets torpedoed by the Germans and as they are trying to abandon the ship he gets hit in the head and gets unconscious, thus getting separated from his mother. When Phillip wakes up he finds out he has been rescued by an old black man named Timothy, a former sailor in the S.S. Hato whos in his 70s and comes from the island of St. Thomas. They are alone with no other ships passengers to be found, only a cat named Stew. Even though he has been living in the Caribbean for several years, Phillip hasnt had much contact with black people, as his mother had always told him that they were different and lived differently. Several days pass by and the boys head injury gets worse to the point that he loses his sight. This is the point where everything starts changing for Phillip. Eventually they find a small cay where Timothy decides to land and so starts a new journey in their lives, where Phillip must rely on Timothy, learn to overcome his prejudices and commit himself to trust and get to know what an exceptional, wise human being Timothy really is.

The Cay is a historical fiction set in the Caribbean, where Taylor entangles the events of World War II with an array of themes such as race, which is evident from its dedication as Taylor writes: To Dr. Kings Dream,

which can only come true is the very young know and understand. The issue of race is presented among Phillip and Timothys relationship which is not good at the beginning. At first the young boy is full of prejudices which apparently have been founded by his mother, but his blindness forces him to depend upon Timothy and so the theme of friendship is also developed as a beautiful connection starts between them, one where skin color doesnt exist. Also present is the theme of transformation which is pictured in Phillips attitude and views. He undergoes a substantial and life defining transformation almost from the beginning of the story. His initial views about war and his biased beliefs about race changes through the story as a result of the experiences he lives during the Germans attacks and afterwards with Timothy. And so we can also find the theme of sacrifice and love which is present through Phillips family, especially in his dad, who decides to let them go, so they can try to be safe even though he has to stay. But the figure who best personifies the element of love and sacrifice is Timothy. His selflessness and love is presented as he performs the ultimate act of sacrifice when he protects Phillip from the hurricane with its own body.

The story also presents two main conflicts. The first one is man vs. self; Phillip must rid himself of his racial prejudices as his blindness makes him dependents on Timothy and he starts to understand that beneath the skin, is all the same as old Timothy said. There is also a man vs. nature conflict as both Phillip and Timothy have to learn to survive in the small island with what they can find and adapt to their current conditions. It is also there when they are struggling against the hurricane as a force of nature.

Taylor uses symbolism in the story to present important elements to the reader, pertaining Phillip and Timothys character. Blindness is not only part of Phillip conflict it is also symbolic, his initial views about race begin to change precisely when he gets blind thus not only making him physically blind, but also color blind, as he rids himself of his narrow-minded views and learns that what really matters is how the person is inside, his qualities. We can also see how the coconut tree is a symbol in the story. Phillip is afraid to climb it, because of his blindness. As the story progresses and Timothy makes him a little more independent day by day, he is ready to climb the tree and get the coconuts to feed them both. This achievement is not only literal but in a figurative way when he feels ready to climb the tree it means that he has matured, no longer afraid and can take

care of himself. Another important symbolism in the story is the arrival of the hurricane. The hurricane can be a depiction of violence and when Timothy protects Phillip with his own body against this violence is a clear illustration of his qualities and how he is willing to sacrifice in order to protect another.

The use of 1st person narrative is a helpful tool in the story because it lets you perceive the change in Phillips character. When the story starts he is disobedient and petulant and as the story develops we are aware of his inner feelings and the struggle he goes through to finally conquer prejudices as he learns to respect and love Timothy.

The Cay is an invaluable book for teachers because it has many topics integrated in it. First theres history, when teaching the book a historical background of the time can be presented as well as how the world suffered through World War II. Geography can be studied as the setting is analyzed; where is Curacao, what island are near it, how is the island, their inhabitants, etc. Another subject that can be integrated is Science, as the students read about the cay and the reef that surrounds it, they can also be taught about the different species that inhabits those areas and why should

coral reefs be protected, weather can also be integrated as it is explained what a hurricane is and its effects. But one of the most important subjects that should be addressed when teaching The Cay is about the importance of values, especially tolerance. This book presents a great opportunity to teach about humanity, equality, human dignity and rights. It can be easily related to Martin Luther Kings dream of freedom and equal rights, depicting his vision of an ideal world when Timothy and Phillip are able to live together in the small cay without any reference to race differences. This story gives teachers the chance to raise awareness about respect and values, topics that are indispensable to teach these days.

The Cay is a book that not only kids enjoy but also adults. For all that the book encompasses it will continue to be a milestone in elementary education for years to come.