By Theodore Taylor

Setting February 1942 on the island of Curacao – then part of the Dutch West Indies When 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

Characters Phillip Enright – dynamic, round character Timothy – static, round character Mrs. Enright (Grace)- static, flat character Mr. Enright (Phillip Sr.) – static, flat character Henrik van Boven – static, flat character

Point of View, Plot and Theme Point of view: First Person Plot: 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 prejudices discrimination

Conflict Person vs Environment Person vs Self Phillip 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 Elements Exposition: 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 dies Falling Action: Phillip learns to survive alone Resolution: Phillip is rescued by a Navy ship, and is reunited with his parents