Skip to main content

In the book The Cay, why does the narrator tell Henrik a fib?

The narrator, Phillip, tells his friend Henrik a fib as a way of gently fighting back against his friend's slight arrogance. To be more specific, Henrik was annoying Phillip by acting like he had privileged information, so Phillip said something untrue in order to make it seem like he, too, knew a lot about what was going on.


This happens in Chapter 1, on page 12:


Henrik said, "My father told me there is nothing...

The narrator, Phillip, tells his friend Henrik a fib as a way of gently fighting back against his friend's slight arrogance. To be more specific, Henrik was annoying Phillip by acting like he had privileged information, so Phillip said something untrue in order to make it seem like he, too, knew a lot about what was going on.


This happens in Chapter 1, on page 12:



Henrik said, "My father told me there is nothing left of Aruba. They hit Sint Nicolaas, you know."


"Every lake tanker was sunk," I said. I didn't know if that were true or not, but Henrik had an irritating way of sounding official since his father was connected with the government.



Phillip's fib reveals that he's someone easily annoyed, and someone who doesn't like to be left out of the loop. The whole war seems exciting to him rather than frightening, and he's eager to know everything about which islands have been attacked, which ships have been torpedoed, and so on.


In a way, Phillip's reaction to his friend's statement shows how immature Phillip is; it shows us how he has a long way to go before he can understand why friends deserve respect, and why war should be perceived as something terrible rather than adventurous. The events of the novel will ensure that Phillip learns these lessons well.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

In Martel's Life of Pi, how does writing a diary help Pi Patel build on his leadership skills?

At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can... At the end of chapter 73, Pi first divulges the fact that he had started a diary after about a week alone at sea. Pi claims that he wrote about "practical stuff" (208) such as what he caught for food, foreseeable problems and solutions, Richard Parker, and reflections about specific events that occurred. In a sense, Pi is the captain of his ship; therefore, he must take responsibility for himself and his crew. He can do this by writing down events, problems and solutions, and reflections to look back on when confronted with repeated problems. It can ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Why did Tybalt attack and kill Mercutio instead of Romeo, who he had originally been targeting?

Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio... Though Tybalt's quarrel is with Romeo, he begins the momentous duel in Act 3 by fighting with and killing Mercutio instead. Tybalt ultimately attacks Mercutio because the garrulous and hot-headed character insults Tybalt and goads him into a duel to protect Romeo's honor. From the beginning of the encounter in Act 3, Scene 1, it's clear that Mercutio is itching for a fight. For instance, when Tybalt signals that he wants to talk to Mercutio and Benvolio, Mercutio responds "And but one word with one of us?/ Couple it w...
Post a Comment
Read more