The Cay Transformation Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

Suddenly, I wished my father and mother could see us there together on the little island.

I moved close to Timothy's big body before I went to sleep. I remember smiling in the darkness. He felt neither white nor black. (10.15-16)

While Phillip initially thinks Timothy is very different because of his race, Phillip comes to see Timothy as "neither white nor black." What does Phillip mean by this? How has Phillip's perception of Timothy changed?

Quote #5

I tried to imagine how I looked. I knew my shirt and pants were in tatters. My hair felt ropy. There was no way to comb it. I wondered how my eyes looked and asked Timothy about that.

"Dey look widout cease," he said. "Dey stare, Phill-eep."

"Do they bother you?"

Timothy laughed. "Not me. Eeevery day I think what rare good luck I 'ave dat you be 'ere wid my own self on dis outrageous, hombug islan'." (10.29-32)

Phillip's exterior has definitely changed, but what else has changed? Notice that his staring, blind eyes don't bother Timothy in the least. Why might that be?       

Quote #6

I helped him to his feet, and we went up the hill together, Timothy leaning on me for support for the first time. He never really regained his strength. (12.26)

After Timothy comes down with a fever, there is a role reversal in his relationship with Phillip. Now it's Phillip who must be the protector.