Friendship In Theodore Taylor's The Cay

As the Hato crashed, a great friendship began between a black man and a white boy. Throughout the book, The Cay, Timothy and Phillip have many challenges to getting along. The author, Theodore Taylor, writes with great detail in reference to friendship and Phillip’s true feelings as the story unfolds. Timothy and Philip's relationship changes for the better, with a mutual respect being felt by both, a change in attitudes and a tight bond forming. Phillip started judging from the beginning of the story. Phillip was raised to believe, whites were superior to black people. It takes Timothy slapping Phillip across the face to get him to realize, It is not your skin color, that defines you, but what is underneath it. “I true don’t know Phill-eep, but I true think beneath d’skin is all d’same”

He begins to realize Timothy is doing everything in his power to provide water, shelter, and food. Where as previously, Phillip believed Timothy was only out for himself. Timothy also shows Phillip how to survive on his own, just in case something were to happen to him. Phillip starts to realize Timothy is so grateful for his Ferbrache 2 assistance, in return he helps him with spelling. Timothy never had the luxury of attending school. Phillip’s attitude changes towards Timothy tremendously and he is saddened, by the fact that Timothy could not be saved. Timothy and Phillip’s bond grows tremendously throughout the story. Phillip begins to feel badly about the way he has treated Timothy. ‘Suddenly, the tears came out. I knew it was not a manly thing to do, something my father would have frowned on, but I couldn't stop. (50)” Phillip then realizes just how much Timothy is trying to help him. Sadly it takes Timothy dying, for phillip to truly realize the impact he has had on his