The Cay

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Survival Guide Creation”

In this activity, students will create a survival guide that integrates survival strategies with references to Phillip’s and Timothy’s experiences.

In The Cay, survival hinges not just on characters’ physical strength but on their knowledge and adaptability as well. In this activity, merge the survival techniques they use with real-world survival skills. By creating a survival guide based on their experiences, you will explore how their strategies for overcoming the cay’s challenges can be applied in real-life situations.

• Reflect on the survival challenges highlighted in the novel, noting instances in which Phillip and Timothy must adapt to life on the cay. Research real-life survival strategies that correspond to these challenges.
• Develop your survival guide by:

o Introducing each survival challenge.

o Detailing practical strategies for addressing each challenge.

o Incorporating evidence from the text to show how these strategies were used.

o Adding illustrations or diagrams.

Once the guides are complete, each student will present their survival guide to the class. During presentations, in your journal, compare and contrast a survival strategy you chose with one of one of your classmates. If you were in a situation in which you had to use these skills, what would be the most important lesson you could take with you?

Teaching Suggestion: Predetermined categories for the survival guide may be beneficial in getting students started. Categories could include: Food, Water, Shelter, and Rescue. For the presentations, a gallery walk approach might allow students to take a closer look at their peers’ work.

Differentiation Suggestion: A graphic organizer using these categories may be beneficial for students with executive functioning and attentional learning differences. Students can use the organizer to collect text examples, quotations, and outside research before designing and completing the survival guide.

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Stew Cat follows Phillip and Timothy onto the cay, serving as their only other companion.

• How does Stew Cat’s presence offer a sense of hope and continuity? (topic sentence)
• Examine how Stew Cat impacts the dynamics between Phillip and Timothy, identifying moments that highlight the cat’s role in lifting their spirits or contributing to their survival strategy. Discuss in 3 distinct points what this interaction reveals about the importance of hope and routine in overcoming adversity.
• In your conclusion, summarize the significance of the human-animal bond amidst survival challenges.

2. The Cay is set against the backdrop of World War II, which impacts the characters’ lives in significant ways.

• How do Phillip’s experiences on the cay reshape his understanding of World War II’s impact on both individuals and communities? (topic sentence)
• Identify 3 key moments in the novel that mark shifts in Phillip’s perception of the war. Analyze how these moments contribute to the novel’s depiction of war’s effects on personal and community levels.
• In your concluding sentences, explain how Phillip’s changed perspective offers insights into the human aspect of war.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Consider the ways Phillip and Timothy’s survival strategies reveal their backgrounds, skills, and personalities. Reflect on how their approaches to overcoming the cay’s challenges highlight their individual experiences and capabilities. How does the novel use their story to comment on the universal themes of resilience, cooperation, and the human spirit’s capacity to triumph over adversity? In a 3- or 5-paragraph essay, explore the theme of Surviving Against the Odds and discuss how their survival journey not only showcases their resourcefulness and adaptability but also serves as a broader metaphor for overcoming personal and societal obstacles.

2. Audiences debate whether the novel’s portrayal of Timothy effectively breaks down racial prejudices or if it oversimplifies complex issues. Does the author’s portrayal of Timothy challenge or reinforce racial stereotypes? What is the impact of his relationship with Phillip on both characters’ understanding of race? In a 3- or 5-paragraph essay, evaluate how successfully The Cay addresses themes of racism through the character of Timothy. Explain with rationale whether the story guides readers towards an antiracist perspective or falls short in its exploration.

3. How does Timothy’s guidance, combined with the setting of the cay, serve as a catalyst for Phillip’s  personal growth and Coming of Age? In a 3- or 5-paragraph essay, examine the influence of Timothy’s mentorship on Phillip’s development from childhood to adolescence. Consider the balance between teaching and learning, protection and independence, and how these dynamics contribute to Phillip’s maturation process. Use specific examples from the text to support your response.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer questions create ideal opportunities for whole-book review, unit exam, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. How do Phillip’s views on race and friendship evolve from the beginning to the end of the novel?

A) They initially change but revert to his original views by the end of the novel.

B) They remain unchanged throughout the story.

C) They fluctuate frequently, showing his uncertainty about people from different backgrounds.

D) They change significantly as he learns to see beyond racial prejudices and value deep friendship.

2. What can readers infer about Timothy’s past based on his knowledge of survival and the sea?

A) He has lived a sheltered life with little experience outside of his hometown.

B) He learned everything he knows from books, not personal experience.

C) He has extensive experience and has likely spent a significant part of his life at sea.

D) He exaggerates his abilities to impress Phillip.

3. What does Timothy’s behavior during the hurricane reveal about his main concerns?

A) His top priority becomes protecting Phillip.

B) His priority is to save himself.

C) His main concern is protecting Stew Cat.

D) He is primarily focused on preserving their food supply.

4. At the start of the novel, what is Phillip’s attitude towards the war?

A) He is indifferent, barely noticing the war’s effects on his life.

B) Phillip is curious and somewhat excited by the adventure it represents.

C) He is deeply fearful of the impact the war might have on his family.

D) Phillip is confused, unable to understand the reasons behind the war.

5. In what ways does overcoming the challenges associated with his blindness contribute to Phillip’s Coming of Age?

A) It makes him more cautious and fearful of taking risks.

B) It teaches him resilience, independence, and a deeper appreciation for his surroundings.

C) It enhances his other senses, making him overly reliant on sound and touch.

D) It isolates him, so he is unable to form new friendships after his rescue.

6. How does Phillip’s reaction to Timothy’s behavior with Stew Cat highlight cultural differences?

A) It shows Phillip’s openness to learning about new cultures.

B) It underscores Phillip’s initial trust in Timothy’s every action.

C) It reveals Phillip’s  lack of understanding toward Timothy’s cultural beliefs.

D) It demonstrates Phillip’s knowledge about voodoo practices.

7. What does Phillip’s mother’s perspective on race reveal about the societal attitudes of the time?

A) It reflects the common prejudices and racial biases prevalent in society.

B) It highlights a widespread acceptance and celebration of multiculturalism.

C) It suggests a society that is actively working to overcome racial prejudices.

D) It shows a unique viewpoint that does not align with the broader societal norms.

8. How does Phillip’s experience on the cay influence his aspirations for the future?

A) He plans to write a book about his survival to share his story and lessons learned.

B) He desires to become a sailor, exploring more of the world’s remote places.

C) He is determined to advocate for blindness awareness and support.

D) He aims to return to the cay, feeling a strong connection to the place where he grew.

9. In what ways does Timothy’s dialect contribute to or challenge racial stereotypes?

A) It challenges stereotypes by demonstrating Timothy’s linguistic diversity and adaptability.

B) It showcases Timothy’s dialect as the most authentic aspect of his character, overshadowing his other qualities and contributions.

C) It depicts Timothy’s dialect without consistency, minimizing the seriousness of his character.

D) It reinforces stereotypes by aligning Timothy’s speech with simplistic caricatures.

10. What does Phillip’s decision to climb the palm tree for coconuts signify in his character development?

A) A regression to his initial state of dependence and fear

B) An act of rebellion against Timothy’s guidance

C) A milestone in his journey towards independence and self-reliance

D) A moment of carelessness and lack of survival instinct

11. What does the time spent on the raft reveal about Phillip and Timothy’s initial relationship dynamics?

A) They work together seamlessly from the start, foreshadowing a strong bond.

B) There is tension and mistrust, highlighting their initial prejudices and misunderstandings.

C) Phillip takes the lead, showing his dominance over Timothy.

D) Timothy is indifferent to Phillip’s wellbeing and focuses solely on survival.

12. What aspect of Timothy’s knowledge has the greatest impact on ensuring their long-term survival on the cay?

A) His ability to predict weather changes and prepare accordingly

B) His extensive knowledge of stars for navigation

C) His skill in creating fire from scratch

D) His expertise in building a signal fire visible from great distances

13. What lesson does Phillip learn from the experience of caring for Timothy during his illness?

A) The importance of self-sufficiency and independence

B) That caring for others can be a burden

C) The value of empathy and compassion in overcoming challenges together

D) That illness is an insurmountable obstacle in survival situations

14. After Phillip and Timothy find themselves stranded on the cay, what is their first major task?

A) Finding fresh water

B) Creating a signal fire

C) Catching fish for food

D) Building a shelter

15. What can readers infer about the cay’s role in Phillip’s coming-of-age journey?

A) The cay is merely a backdrop for the adventure, with little impact on Phillip’s growth.

B) The isolation and challenges of the cay accelerate Phillip’s maturity and self-discovery.

C) The cay’s beauty distracts Phillip from the lessons he might have learned.

D) The cay makes Phillip long for his previous life, hindering his development.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. What does Phillip’s determination to catch a langosta reveal about his personal growth throughout the novel?

2. Contrast Phillip’s relationship with his parents before and after his ordeal on the cay. How does his survival experience influence his appreciation and understanding of his family?