"Timothy of the Cay"
by Theodore Taylor
Chapter One "USS Sedgewick"
due Tuesday, Sept. 15th
1. Who is the protagonist in chapter one? How old is this
character?
2. What is this character's ailment? How did this character
get this ailment?
3. Why is our protagonist aboard the USS Sedgewick?
4. What year is it in Ch. 1? What major world event is
going on at this time?
5. What is a cay?
6. How did our protagonist find himself stranded on a lonely
cay?
7. What other individual was with our protagonist on the cay?
Chapter 2
1. How does the book change as you read from chapter to
chapter?
2. What year is it now? (in ch.2) What island is the setting?
3. How old is our (2nd) protagonist?
4. He gets hired to do what in ch.2?
5. What is a kroner?
6. What item of clothing does our protagonist need to buy
in order to work? Why is this so special to him?
Chapters 3 and 4
1. Who is Stew Cat? Where did he come from?
2. What were Mr. and Mrs. Enright's initial thoughts
as to what happened to their son after the sinking
of the USS Hato?
3. What is Hannah Grubs relationship to Timothy?
4. What was Hannah Grubs dream for Timothy's future
instead of being a cabin boy?
5. What skill does Hannah Grubs possess?
Chapter 5 and 6
1. What happened to the USS Hato?
2. Who else was with Phillip on the raft?
3. How long after Phillip receives a blow to his head
does he realize he is blind?
4. List 3 types of unpleasantries that make life difficult
on the island of St. Thomas.
5. What happens to Timothy, at the end of ch. 6, that
devastates him?
Chapters 7 and 8
1. Where does Phillip's family live? Off the coast of what
country does this island lie? (find it in an atlas!)
2. How does Phillip feel on his first day returning home?
Why do you think he feels this way?
3. What was the triangular trade system as described by
tante Hannah to Timothy?
4. Name the three (3) coasts that collectively made up
what was called the Slave Coasts. *Where in Africa
were these coasts located? (research ques.)
5. What terrible, devastating reality does Timothy realize
as to why he lost the job as cabin boy?
Chapters 9 and 10
1. What is Dr. Boomstra's suggestion to Mr. and Mrs. Enright concerning Phillip's
condition? What is the Enright's decision concerning this suggestion? (2 pts.)
2. Where do the Enright's go to get a medical opinion about Phillips blindness?
3. Phillip and his mother have a conversation concerning race relations. Of the two,
which has a more enlightened insight as to how the relations should be, Phillip
or his mother? Give reasoning to support your answer.
4. Why do you think Phillip's talking of Timothy makes his mother feel uneasy?
Chapters 11 and 12
1. According to Timothy, who knew more about the sea than any man he knew?
2. What was Mama Greeches known for?
3. Dr. Pohl explains to Phillip that the operation will be long and dangerous.What three perils could Phillip face if the operation goes awry.
4. What is a jumbi?
Ch. 13 and Ch. 14 Finger Five all questions.
Due Wednesday, Oct. 7th
1. "No rain - no rainbow"
- Timothy
What is this quote saying. THINK!
2. Why does Timothy lie about his age and claim he is older
than he truly is?
3. What happens to Timothy to the point he is frozen with fear?
4. Onboard the Gertrude Theismann there is a man who is
kind to Timothy and a man who is not. Give the name
of each and tell the disposition of each
Chapter 15 ""The Devil's Mouth" and Ch. 16 "The Squall"
due Tuesday, Oct. 13th, 2015
1. What deal does Phillip's dad make with him for the Spring of 1943? (1 pt. )
2. Phillip's operation is the next day. How is he feeling the night before?
How do Phillip's parents feel? ( 2 pts.)
3. How does Timothy react when a squall approaches the ship and he has
a job to do? (1 pt.)
4. What does Luther Oisten order Timothy to do that Timothy feels is
unnecessary? Does Timothy do it? What is Timothy's opinion of Luther
Oisten? (3pts.)
also!!!!!! Workbook pp. 13-14 due Tuesday, Oct. 13th, 2015
Ch. 17 "My Bald Head"; Ch. 18 "Home"; Ch.19 "The Operating
Room"
Ch. 17 " My Bald Head" and Ch. 18 "Home" finger five ques.
1. What does the title of this chapter refer to?
2. What does an anesthesiologist do? (may have to research this one :)
3. Describe the disposition of Philip's anesthesiologist.
4. Timothy returns to St. Thomas Island after being away how
many years at sea?
5. What devastating news does Timothy receive upon his return
to St. Thomas?
Ch. 19 "The Operating Room",Ch. 20 " Captain", and
Ch. 21 "Awakening"
1.a) What vision does Philip have just before he goes under
the ether? b) Does the vision speak? If so, what does it
say? (2pts.)
2. What year is it now in Timothy's life? Approximately how old
is Timothy? (2pts.)
3. a)What does Timothy finally get after saving his money for
years? b) What does he name it? (2pts.)
4. When was the maiden voyage? Where was the ship bound?
(2 pts.)
5. a) How did Dr. Pohl say the operation went? b) After several
days has Philip's sight returned? (2pt.s) Total:10
Ch. 22 "Jennifer" and Ch. 23 "Trees"
1. What does Timothy realize about himself as he enters his
late 50's?
2. What natural disaster does Timothy encounter aboard the
"Hettie Redd" while piloting the ship to St. Thomas?
3. Who is Jennifer?
4. Do you think Timothy is responsible for this tragedy?
5. What is Anton's Syndrome and who suffers from it?
6. Does Philip ever regain his vision? If so, when. If not,
why not?
Ch. 24 "The Hato", Ch. 25 "The Audaz Adventurero",
Ch. 26 "Torpedoed", and Ch. 27 "The Cay"
1. How does Timothy serve the allies during WWII? (1pt.)
* 2. What is a tramp ship? (hint: describe it; tells what its
duties are) (1pt.)
3. a) What is the Audaz Adventutrero? (1pt.)
b) Where do the "skippers" take it? (1pt.)
4. What is the percentage of Philip's sight, now that he
has it back? (1pt.)
5. a) What was the date of the sinking of the Hato" (1pt.)
b) What does the term "occupied" France mean? (1pt.)
You may have to research this one.
6. a) Translate Boca de Diablo. (1pt.)
b) Why is this place important? (1pt.)
7. What helps to bring a sense of closure to all these events
in Philip's life? (1pt.) total : 10pts.