How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I stole away down to the old fort with Henrik van Boven, my Dutch friend who was also eleven.
I had played there many times with Henrik and other boys when we were a few years younger, imagining we were defending Willemstad against pirates or even the British. (1.8-9)
What is Henrik and Phillip's friendship based on? How does it reflect their age?
Quote #2
My mother was right, I thought. They had their place and we had ours. He did not really like me, or he would have taken me along. He was different. (8.11)
Phillip thinks Timothy isn't his friend because the older man sometimes leaves him alone on the island. Why does Timothy do this? Does this make him a friend or a foe?
Quote #3
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. Then from nowhere came Stew Cat. He rubbed along my arms and up against my cheek, purring hard. I held him close. (8.16)
Stew may only be a cat, but he's an important friend for Phillip on the island, offering solace and comfort when Phillip faces tough times.
Quote #4
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. (9.27-31)
Phillip eventually accepts Timothy as a friend and asks him to be his friend in return. Timothy says he's been Phillip's friend all along. What has changed in Phillip, and why? Why does Phillip ask Timothy to call him by his first name? What does this symbolize?
Quote #5
We talked for a long time when the rain began to slack off. Timothy asked me about my mother and father. I told him all about them and about how we live in Scharloo, getting very lonesome and homesick while I was telling him. He kept saying, "Ah, dat be true?" (10.7)
Timothy and Phillip become closer friends by sharing their stories. Hearing about each other's lives before their time on the island leads to a greater intimacy between the two.
Quote #6
I trusted Timothy, and kept telling myself that he wouldn't harm me, but it was the whole mysterious jumbi thing that was frightening. (11.51)
Though they are friends, there are still parts of Timothy's culture and background that are scary or confusing for Phillip. For example, he starts to briefly fear Timothy when the old man becomes convinced that Stew Cat is to blame for their bad luck on the island.
Quote #7
I brought water down from the hut, raised his head, and ordered him to drink it. With one hand, I found his lips and then guided the cup to his chin. He seemed to understand and gulped it down. (12.19)
While Timothy has always been a friend to Phillip, now Phillip starts to act as a friend to Timothy. In a moment of role reversal, Phillip must care for Timothy when he is struck with fever.
Quote #8
I had now been with him every moment of the day and night for two months, but I had not seen him. I remember that ugly welted face. But now, in my memory, it did not seem ugly at all. It seemed only kind and strong.
I asked, "Timothy, are you still black?"
His laughter filled the hut. (13.52-54)
Phillip's blindness allows him to cast aside his preconceived notions about Timothy and get to know him in a different way. Why does Phillip no longer think of Timothy as black? What is it about his view of Timothy that has changed?
Quote #9
I buried Timothy, placing stones at the head of the grave to mark it. I didn't know what to say over the grave. I said, "Thank you, Timothy," and then turned my face to the sky. I said, "Take care of him God, he was good to me." (16.5)
After Timothy gives his life to protect Phillip in the storm, the young boy finally realizes all that Timothy has done for him. Here he expresses his gratitude for his friend.
Quote #10
I saw Henrik van Boven occasionally, but it wasn't the same as when we'd played the Dutch or the British. He seemed very young. So I spent a lot of time along St. Anna Bay, and at the Ruyterkade market talking to the black people. I liked the sound of their voices. Some of them had known old Timothy from Charlotte Amalie. I felt close to them. (19.40)
When Phillip returns to Willemstad, he no longer connects with Henrik van Boven in the same way. Their previous friendship was based on their similar age and innocent view of the world. What has changed in Phillip?