As the two attempt to survive on a deserted island, Phillip learns lessons in friendship, perseverance, and inner strength. The story’s message of racial equality provides material for meaningful class discussions. Its linear structure and dynamic protagonist also make The Cay a wonderful resource for teaching plot structure and character development.
Student Activities for The Cay
Essential Questions for The Cay
- How can setting affect the plot and characters of a novel?
- How can an external conflict lead to an internal conflict and vice versa?
- What types of experiences and reflections are necessary for a person to change?
- What is the symbolic meaning of Phillip’s blindness?
- In what ways does Phillip grow and change over the course of the novel?
Historical Context
The historical context of The Cay can present difficulties for young readers. It may be helpful to begin the reading unit with background on the geography and history of the novel. Curaçao is an island located off the coast of Venezuela in the southern Caribbean Sea, not far from Aruba. In the 1940s, Curaçao was a territory of the Netherlands, known for its oil refineries. When World War II began in 1939, the oil produced on Curaçao became essential to Allied operations. The U.S. and Britain, in particular, relied on these refineries. To weaken their Allied enemies, therefore, Germany began to target the refineries, torpedoing oil tankers and even attacking the refineries themselves. Curaçao itself was attacked in February of 1942. Although Phillip Enright’s story is fictional, his predicament is based on real historical events.
Learn more about WWII on Curaçao and its neighboring islands.
Check out other lesson plans on history and literature during World War II and Holocaust
- The History of the Holocaust
- Introduction to World War II
- World War II: 1939-1941
- World War II: 1942-1945
- Night by Elie Wiesel
- The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
- The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal
- "First They Came" by Martin Niemoller
- Lily's Crossing By Patricia Reilly Giff
- White Bird by RJ Palacio
- Once by Morris Gleitzman
- Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- The Boy on the Wooden Box by Leon Leyson
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
How Tos about The Cay by Theodore Taylor
Engage students with a collaborative survival scenario activity
Encourage teamwork by assigning small groups to imagine they're stranded on an island like Phillip and Timothy. Each group must list essential survival items, explain their choices, and create a plan for shelter, food, and safety. This fosters critical thinking and empathy as students consider challenges faced in The Cay.
Guide students to research and present Curaçao’s WWII history
Assign research on Curaçao’s role in World War II. Have students find facts about the island’s geography, oil industry, and wartime events, then share brief presentations. This builds historical context and connects fiction to real events.
Facilitate a discussion on character growth and overcoming adversity
Lead a class talk about how Phillip changes through the story. Invite students to identify moments of perseverance, friendship, and learning. Use examples to highlight personal growth and encourage students to relate these lessons to their own lives.
Incorporate a creative reflection on symbolic blindness
Ask students to write a short reflection or draw a comic about what blindness symbolizes for Phillip. Prompt them to consider how losing sight leads to new understanding. This activity supports literary analysis and personal connection to the text.
Connect the novel’s themes to current events or personal experiences
Encourage students to discuss or write about real-life situations involving overcoming challenges, friendship, or equality. Linking The Cay to the present helps students deepen comprehension and see relevance in the story.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Cay by Theodore Taylor
What is The Cay by Theodore Taylor about?
The Cay is a survival and historical fiction novel where young Phillip Enright, blinded after a shipwreck during World War II, must rely on Timothy, an elderly black man, to survive on a deserted island. The story explores themes of friendship, perseverance, and racial equality.
How can teachers use The Cay for classroom lessons?
Teachers can use The Cay to teach plot structure, character development, and historical context. The book’s themes are ideal for discussions on friendship, perseverance, and social issues, making it great for engaging student activities and meaningful class conversations.
What are some essential questions to ask when teaching The Cay?
Essential questions for teaching The Cay include: How does setting affect plot and characters? How do external conflicts become internal ones? What leads to personal change? What is the symbolism of Phillip’s blindness? How does Phillip grow throughout the novel?
Why is the historical context of The Cay important for students?
The historical context of The Cay helps students understand the real-world events that shaped the story, including World War II’s impact on the Caribbean and Curaçao’s strategic role. This background gives depth to the novel’s plot and characters.
What lesson plans or activities work well with The Cay?
Effective lesson plans for The Cay include activities focused on character analysis, exploring the book’s setting, discussing racial equality, and mapping the plot’s progression. These can be paired with historical research and creative projects for student engagement.
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