Quotes
“Wanting to hear it from Timothy, I asked him why there were different colors of skin, white and black, brown and red, and he laughed back, “Why b’feesh different color, or flower b’different color? I true don’ know, Phill-eep, but I true tink beneath d’skin is all d’same.”
This quote reflects a poignant moment between Phillip and Timothy, wherein Phillip questions the reasons for the diversity of skin colors. Timothy's response is both simple yet profound, encapsulating his wisdom and perspective on human differences. By likening skin color to the variety found in nature, such as the colors of fish and flowers, Timothy suggests that diversity is a natural part of the world. His analogy highlights the idea that just as fish and flowers come in different hues and shades, so too do humans come in a variety of skin colors. He acknowledges the physical differences in skin color while emphasizing the fundamental unity that exists beneath the skin.
“Something happened to me that day on the cay. I’m not quite sure what it was even now, but I had begun to change. I said to Timothy, ‘I want to be your friend.’ He said softly, ‘Young bahss, you’ave always been my friend.’ I said, ‘Can you call me Phillip instead of young boss?’ ‘Phill-eep,’ he said warmly.”
In this pivotal quote, Phillip reflects on a significant moment of personal transformation and growth that occurred during his time on the cay with Timothy. Phillip's declaration, "I want to be your friend," represents a significant shift in his attitude towards Timothy, signaling his newfound understanding of the meaning of humanity. This moment marks a departure from Phillip's earlier prejudices and reservations about Timothy, indicating his evolving understanding and appreciation of their relationship.
Timothy's response to Phillip's declaration is equally significant, as he gently reassures Phillip of the bond that has already existed between them. By affirming, "Young bahss, you’ave always been my friend," Timothy acknowledges the genuine connection that has developed between them despite their initial differences and challenges. His use of the term "young bahss," a term of endearment he has previously used for Phillip, underscores his affection and acceptance of the young boy.
Phillip's request for Timothy to call him by his name, "Phillip," rather than the formal title of "young boss," symbolizes Phillip’s desire for a more equal and intimate relationship with Timothy. By shedding the hierarchical title, Phillip seeks to bridge the social and cultural divide between them, embracing a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. Timothy's warm acceptance of Phillip's request, as he affectionately pronounces his name, "Phill-eep," further solidifies the bond between them.
“Like silent, hungry sharks that swim in the darkness of the sea, the German submarines arrived in the middle of the night.”
The imagery of "silent, hungry sharks" is used to depict the menacing arrival of German submarines during the darkness of the night. The comparison to sharks conveys a sense of stealth, danger, and predatory instinct, highlighting the ominous nature of the submarines' approach. Just as sharks lurk beneath the surface of the sea, unseen yet powerful, the German submarines emerge stealthily under the cover of darkness; their presence is foreboding and menacing.
“There was no day or night that passed when I didn’t listen for sounds from the sky. Both my sense of touch and my sense of hearing were beginning to make up for my lack of sight. I separated the sound and each became different.”
Phillip reflects on his heightened senses of touch and hearing as he adapts to life without sight. Stranded on the deserted island with Timothy, Phillip is forced to rely on his remaining senses to navigate his surroundings and make sense of his new reality. The absence of visual stimuli compels Phillip to sharpen his other senses, particularly his sense of touch and hearing, as he strives to understand and interact with the world around him.
Phillip's statement that "there was no day or night that passed when I didn’t listen for sounds from the sky" highlights his reliance on auditory cues to perceive the passage of time and changes in the weather. Furthermore, Phillip describes how his sense of touch and hearing begin to compensate for his lack of sight, enabling him to perceive the world in a different way. Through focused attention and concentration, Phillip learns to discern subtle variations in sound and texture, allowing him to distinguish between different objects and environments.
