The CayBy Theodore Taylor

SettingFebruary 1942 on the island of Curacao –

then part of the Dutch West IndiesWhen Phillip is shipwrecked the setting

changes to an unnamed Cay in Devils Mouth –the long U shaped coral banks in the Caribbean.

Most of the action takes place between April and August 1942, although the narrative actually concludes in April of 1943

CharactersPhillip Enright – dynamic, round characterTimothy – static, round characterMrs. Enright (Grace)- static, flat characterMr. Enright (Phillip Sr.) – static, flat characterHenrik van Boven – static, flat character

Point of View, Plot and ThemePoint of view: First

PersonPlot: The Cay is a

survival story of a young boy who loses his eyesight and an old man. The two are shipwrecked on a deserted island

Theme: survival Overcoming

prejudicesdiscrimination

ConflictPerson vs Environment Person vs SelfPhillip and Timothy must

survive the hot sun, sharks and lack of fresh water while on the raft.

Later they must survive a hurricane

Phillip struggles with his prejudice of black people

Phillip has to learn to come to terms with his blindness to survive

Story ElementsExposition: Phillips mother feels it is not safe to

stay in Curacao while WWII is going on and oil tankers are being bombed by German U – boats

Rising Action: Phillip and his mother leave on the SS Hato which is bombed. Phillip is separated from his mother, and wakes up blinded from an injury and alone on a raft with Timothy a black man

Climax: a hurricane hits the island, Timothy diesFalling Action: Phillip learns to survive aloneResolution: Phillip is rescued by a Navy ship, and is

reunited with his parents