How Does Philip Mature In The Caay

Many people read books and just walk away and never think about it again. On the other side, many spend endless hours, days, weeks, or even years pondering a book. A good book can leave you with so many questions. One of the most important things to do is examine the book. The Cay, written by Theodore Taylor, is about Philip, an 11 year old boy who gets in a terrible accident by virtue of World War II. Philip’s character acknowledges that through many conflicts, he developed matureness, open-heartedness, and independence.
After experiencing his time on the island with a black man, Philip exhibits open heartedness as evidenced in the novel when he wishes to interact with contrasting people from himself at the end of the story. When Philip first
Before Philip had his experience on the island his survival was dependent on his mother and father. He even was unable to compose the decision for himself of whether or not he wanted to abandon Curasso. His father told him,” Philip, the decision is made. You’ll leave Friday with your mother.” (Taylor 25) As a result, Philip blamed the situation entirely on his mother. During the time Philip matures on the island, he becomes less and less dependent on Timothy. To illustrate, when Timothy began to be sick, Philip took the initiative to take care of him. “I brought water down from the hut, raised his head, and ordered him to drink.” (Taylor 91) Philip has noticed everything Timothy has done for him and wants to do the same. The dramatic development of independence from the beginning is clearly demonstrated when Philip solves the problem of the fire. “The smoke would rise from the Cay in a fat, black column to lead the planes up the Devil's mouth. I knew how to do it now.” (Taylor 128) Instead of capitulating, Philip gave reasoning to techniques that would make his fire improved for the next time. This demonstrates the change in heart from giving in and allowing others around him establish his future, to wanting to live and