47 pages • 1 hour read
Hugh LoftingThe Story of Doctor Dolittle
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1920A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
Ethical Treatment of Animals
Content Warning: This section of the guide describes and discusses the source text’s treatment of colonialist attitudes, which it portrays in a positive light, and its outdated and offensive depictions of Indigenous Africans, which rely on racist stereotypes.
Through the adventures of Doctor Dolittle, a compassionate veterinarian who learns to talk to animals, Lofting explores empathy, moral responsibility, and the importance of treating animals with kindness. Doctor Dolittle’s proactive stance against animal cruelty and commitment to providing a haven for mistreated animals embody the narrative’s central theme of ethical animal care.
In Chapter 3, Doctor Dolittle encounters an Italian organ-grinder with a mistreated monkey in poor condition, wearing a tight collar. Recognizing the monkey’s suffering, Dolittle intervenes, offering to buy the animal from its abusive owner:
[T]he Doctor [sees] at once that the monkey’s collar [is] too tight and that he [is] dirty and unhappy. So he [takes] the monkey away from the Italian, [gives] the man a shilling, and [tells] him to keep the money. But the Doctor [tells] him that if he [doesn’t] go away, he [will] punch him on the nose. John Dolittle [is] a strong man, though he [isn’t] very tall. So the Italian [goes] away saying rude things, and the monkey stay[s] with Doctor Dolittle and [has] a good home (20).
This scene illustrates Doctor Dolittle’s proactive stance against animal cruelty, reflecting his empathy and courage. He immediately recognizes the monkey’s suffering and takes decisive action to alleviate Chee-Chee’s distress. Dolittle’s willingness to “punch the organ grinder on the nose” exhibits his deep commitment to animal welfare. He goes on to provide Chee-Chee with a home, demonstrating his compassion and dedication to animal care.
Later, Doctor Dolittle’s sister, Sarah, complains about the crocodile that Dolittle adopts. Upon her criticism, the Doctor defends the crocodile, explaining that it is well-behaved and disparages the circus where he was mistreated. The case he makes for the crocodile outlines his personal philosophy on ethical animal treatment. He tells Sarah, “but he has promised me, […] that he will not bite anyone. He doesn’t like the circus, and I haven’t the money to send him back to Africa, where he comes from. He minds his own business and on the whole is very well behaved” (23). He insists on keeping the crocodile, despite the financial and social pressures, reaffirming his values. Doctor Dolittle’s dedication to rescuing and caring for animals in distress, points to the importance of compassion and moral responsibility toward all creatures, positioning Lofting’s narrative as a kind of fable, a story that attempts not only to entertain, but also educate its readers about the importance of kindness toward all species.
Adventure and Exploration
Lofting structures The Story of Doctor Dolittle as an adventure story in which his characters take on a perilous journey to faraway lands, confronting challenges and uncovering hidden marvels along the way. The structure provides a fitting framework for the novel’s thematic interest in adventure and exploration, portrayed through moments of urgent action and awe-inspiring discovery as Dolittle journeys to Africa to save the sick monkeys and traverses an equally eventual return trip to pay off his debts.
The story’s adventure structure allows Lofting to build dramatic tension through a tone of urgency and highlight his characters’ ingenuity and quick thinking under pressure—classic heroic traits in the genre. In Chapter 7, Doctor Dolittle and his companions narrowly escape imprisonment by the King of Jolliginki. As they are chased by the king’s soldiers toward the Land of the Monkeys, they encounter the edge of a steep cliff, prompting an immediate challenge that requires both ingenuity and teamwork. The monkeys act quickly, saying, “Boys—a bridge! Quick! Make a bridge! We’ve only a minute to do it. They’ve got the Captain loose, and he’s coming on like a deer. Get lively! A bridge! A bridge!” (57). The call to action, creating a living bridge in a minute, demonstrates their resourcefulness in the face of danger. Lofting’s use of imagery, comparing the captain to a deer underscores the speed and urgency of the situation, heightening the sense of imminent peril and the need for swift, decisive action. Thus, the scene highlights the unpredictability and excitement of exploration, with characters constantly pushed to their limits and forced to come up with creative solutions in desperate moments. Once Doctor Dolittle and his companions cross the bridge safely, Chee-Chee the monkey turns to the Doctor and says,
Many great explorers and gray-bearded naturalists have lain long weeks hidden in the jungle, waiting to see the monkeys do that trick. But we never let a foreign man get a glimpse of it before. You are the first to see the famous Bridge of Apes (58).
Chee-Chee’s words emphasize the rarity and exclusivity of the experience; the mention of “great explorers and gray-bearded naturalists” underscores the unique privilege granted to the doctor—defining him in opposition to other white colonialists and reinforcing the novel’s theme of discovery. This moment rewards the Doctor’s adventurous spirit and dedication, as he becomes the first foreigner to witness the “famous Bridge of Apes,” a testament to his adventurous spirit.
In Chapter 15, Lofting evokes another classic adventure story trope: a showdown with pirates. As Doctor Dolittle’s ship attempts a stealthy escape from pursuing pirates, the narrator notes:
[T]hey had pulled up the anchor without a sound and were moving the ship very, very carefully out of the bay, [when] Gub-Gub suddenly sneezed so loudly that the pirates on the other ship came rushing upstairs to see what the noise was (103).
This scene showcases Lofting’s careful building of suspense toward a key moment of high action within the scene. Despite their meticulous efforts, Gub-Gub the pig’s unpredictable sneeze, a minor yet impactful event, illustrates how even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by unforeseen circumstances within the high-stakes world of an adventure narrative. Within such a world, explorers must be prepared to face and adapt to unexpected challenges, amplifying the suspense and transformative nature of their experiences within their character arcs.
The Story of Doctor Dolittle illustrates the excitement, unpredictability, and rewards of venturing into the unknown. Through moments of quick thinking, rare discoveries, and tense escapes, the story celebrates the spirit of exploration and adventure.
The Impact of Human Activity on Nature
The Story of Doctor Dolittle offers a compelling exploration of human impact on the animal kingdom and the nature world. Through the actions of Doctor Dolittle, the novel demonstrates the profound and positive effects humans can have on the natural world.
In Chapter 8, Doctor Dolittle’s proactive approach to addressing the epidemic faced by the monkey population illustrates the significant role humans can play in wildlife conservation and care. Overwhelmed by the number of sick monkeys, Dolittle’s immediate response is to establish a makeshift hospital “separat[ing] the sick monkeys from the healthy ones and get[ting] Chee-Chee and his cousin to build a small house of grass to serve as a hospital” (60). This direct intervention in the animal kingdom underscores Lofting’s perspective on the ways in which thoughtful, intentional, and structured human activity can bring much-needed aid to nature. By organizing a healthcare system in the jungle, Dolittle exemplifies how human resources can be used to help restore balance and health to an ecosystem in distress. His compassionate and persistent efforts to care for the monkeys, despite the challenges and resistance he faces, highlight how human ingenuity and dedication can address environmental crises and improve the health of natural habitats.
Lofting also contrasts Doctor Dolittle’s moral character and internal conflict at the fairs and circuses he visits in Europe with the other animal handlers he meets along the way. In Chapter 21, Doctor Dolittle and his animals travel through the countryside, visiting fairs and showcasing the pushmi-pullyu to earn money to pay Doctor Dolittle’s debts. The Doctor’s decision to let children see the pushmi-pullyu for free, despite lucrative offers to buy the animal, emphasizes his commitment to protecting wildlife from exploitation. While he recognizes the need to utilize the pushmi-pullyu’s appeal to pay the debts incurred on his voyage to help the monkeys, he insists that the pushmi-pullyu should never be caged, reflecting his ethical stance on the humane treatment of animals. As the narrator observes,
[M]enagerie keepers and circus men came and asked the Doctor to sell them the strange creature, saying they would pay a tremendous lot of money for him. But the doctor always shook his head and said, ‘No. The pushmi-pullyu, shall never be shut up in a cage’ (146).
This narrative choice provides a powerful critique of humans’ relationships with animals that prioritize profit over the well-being of living creatures. By showcasing the pushmi-pullyu in a way that respects its freedom and dignity, Doctor Dolittle sets an example of personal responsibility, empathy and care for animals to counteract the negative impacts of human activity on the environment. His actions exemplify one of the narrative’s central messages that environmental stewardship should take precedence over human profit.
Overall, The Story of Doctor Dolittle illustrates the positive impact humans can have on the environment when driven by empathy and a commitment to conservation. Through proactive engagement and responsible stewardship, humans have the power to heal and protect the natural world, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
