Theodore Taylor's The Cay: Challenges Throughout Life

Challenges arise throughout life. Sometimes the challenges are overwhelming like war or nature. Other times challenges are caused by choices people make. Theodore Taylor’s The Cay is a story of how challenges, big and small, change people. The novel also reveals how the main characters appear to others as they cope with life’s difficulties. As the events of The Cay unfold, Phillip, the main character, matures as he encounters and overcomes the obstacles in his way. Phillip’s view of people and his environment evolve as he experiences difficulties. He acquires survival skills and grows more confident. A reader can connect with the individual that Phillip becomes in the story.

Phillip exhibits traits of fear when he is aboard

the raft after the Hato is torpedoed. “After a moment, lying there in darkness, hearing the creek of the raft and feeling its motion, it all hit me. I was blind and we were lost at sea. I began to crawl, screaming for my mother and father.” (Taylor 46) Phillip realizes the severity of his situation because he is blind and lost at sea. He is a young boy caught in traumatic circumstances and he doesn’t know how to cope.
Phillip’s fear grows as he realizes he is stranded at sea with a man he has never met before.

His challenge is to overcome his fear so he can survive.

Phillip begins to show signs of bravery when he and Timothy land on the cay. “I think it was the fifth afternoon of this week that I blurted out to Timothy, “I’ll climb the palm now.” (Taylor 98) Phillip is willing to risk his own safety to gather coconuts so he and Timothy can eat. The food is necessary for their survival and Phillip makes the risky choice to climb the palm tree. His character is showing development because he understands what is needed to stay alive on the cay. He is meeting the challenges he faces with bravery and is less like the blind, fearful boy on the raft.

Phillip learns independence when he is confronted with two life altering challenges, a hurricane and Timothy’s death. The storm forced Phillip to fend for himself with the materials that were available on the cay. He also must learn to cope when his main lifeline and support, Timothy, dies. “You see, Phill-eep, you do not need d’eye now. You ‘ave done widout d’eye what I couldn’t do with my whole body.” (Taylor 99) Phillip has outgrown much of his fear. His independence is also increasing because he meets the obstacles that come his way. Timothy acknowledges Phillip’s increasing capabilities and appreciates his growing independence. When he leaves the cay, Phillip sees those his own age as “very young” which shows how much he has

developed.
Phillip encounters challenges in the story that could defeat many people. He endures shipwreck, blindness, loneliness, fear, and death. However, those events make Phillip a stronger person because he struggles to survive. Phillip develops respect for Timothy and lets go of former prejudices. Phillip uses the challenges he faces to grow as a person. In summary, Phillip’s choices when challenged make him a character that a reader can admire.