Article #501-1 | Gutenberg Articles

Excerpt

Excerpt from The Story of Doctor Dolittle, by Hugh Lofting

And often even after they got well, they did not want to go away—they
liked the Doctor and his house so much. And he never had the heart to
refuse them when they asked if they could stay with him. So in this way
he went on getting more and more pets.

Once when he was sitting on his garden wall, smoking a pipe in the
evening, an Italian organ-grinder came round with a monkey on a string.
The Doctor saw at once that the monkey’s collar was too tight and
that he was dirty and unhappy. So he took the monkey away from the
Italian, gave the man a shilling and told him to go. The organ-grinder
got awfully angry and said that he wanted to keep the monkey. But the
Doctor told him that if he didn’t go away he would punch him on the
nose. John Dolittle was a strong man, though he wasn’t very tall. So
the Italian went away saying rude things and the monkey stayed with
Doctor Dolittle and had a good home. The other animals in the house
called him “Chee-Chee”—which is a common word in monkey-language,
meaning “ginger.”

And another time, when the circus came to Puddleby, the crocodile
who had a bad toothache escaped at night and came into the Doctor’s
garden. The Doctor talked to him in crocodile-language and took him
into the house and made his tooth better. But when the crocodile
saw what a nice house it was—with all the different places for the
different kinds of animals—he too wanted to live with the Doctor. He
asked couldn’t he sleep in the fish-pond at the bottom of the garden,
if he promised not to eat the fish. When the circus-men came to take
him back he got so wild and savage that he frightened them away. But to
every one in the house he was always as gentle as a kitten.

Explanation

**Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting**

Context of the Source

Hugh Lofting’s The Story of Doctor Dolittle (1920) is the first in a series of children’s novels about John Dolittle, a kind-hearted physician who learns to communicate with animals and eventually becomes a renowned animal doctor. The book was written during World War I, partly as a series of letters Lofting sent to his children from the trenches, offering a whimsical escape from the horrors of war. The story blends fantasy, adventure, and moral lessons, emphasizing compassion, understanding, and harmony between humans and animals.

This excerpt comes early in the novel, establishing Doctor Dolittle’s growing menagerie and his unconventional, compassionate approach to animals. It also introduces two key animal characters: Chee-Chee the monkey and the crocodile, both of whom become permanent residents in his home.

Themes in the Excerpt

Compassion and Kindness Toward Animals
- The passage highlights Doctor Dolittle’s deep empathy for animals, even when it conflicts with human expectations.
- He rescues the monkey from a neglectful owner, despite the organ-grinder’s protests, showing that he prioritizes the animal’s well-being over human convenience.
- Similarly, he heals the crocodile’s toothache and allows it to stay, even though crocodiles are typically seen as dangerous.
Freedom and Belonging
- The animals choose to stay with Dolittle because his home is welcoming and safe, unlike their previous lives (the monkey was mistreated; the crocodile was in a circus).
- The Doctor never forces them to leave, reinforcing the idea that his home is a sanctuary where animals are treated as equals.
Communication and Understanding
- Dolittle’s ability to speak animal languages is central to the story. Here, he communicates with the crocodile, ensuring it feels heard and respected.
- The animals also name each other (e.g., "Chee-Chee"), suggesting a community where different species coexist peacefully.
Challenging Human Authority
- The organ-grinder and circus-men represent human exploitation of animals. Dolittle defies them, using his strength (and threat of violence) to protect the animals.
- The crocodile’s aggression toward the circus-men (but gentleness with Dolittle’s household) suggests that animals react to how they are treated—they are not inherently "wild" or "dangerous."
Humor and Whimsy
- The absurdity of a crocodile living in a fish-pond (and promising not to eat the fish) adds a playful, lighthearted tone.
- The monkey’s name, "Chee-Chee" (meaning "ginger"), is a humorous detail that humanizes the animals.

Literary Devices Used

Characterization (Direct & Indirect)
- Doctor Dolittle is portrayed as:
  - Kind but firm (he rescues animals but also threatens the organ-grinder).
  - Unconventional (he lets a crocodile live in his pond).
  - Strong-willed (he stands up to those who mistreat animals).
- The animals are given personality and agency—they make choices (staying with Dolittle) and have emotions (the monkey is "unhappy," the crocodile is "gentle as a kitten").
Imagery & Sensory Details
- Visual: The monkey’s "too tight" collar and dirty appearance create a vivid image of neglect.
- Contrast: The crocodile is "wild and savage" to the circus-men but "gentle as a kitten" at home, reinforcing the theme of environment shaping behavior.
Dialogue & Animal Speech
- The crocodile speaks (implied through Dolittle’s translation), making the interaction feel personal and meaningful.
- The organ-grinder’s "rude things" add conflict, showing human resistance to Dolittle’s kindness.
Irony & Humor
- Situational Irony: A crocodile—normally a predator—promises not to eat the fish, which is absurd but charming.
- Understatement: The crocodile is described as "gentle as a kitten", an exaggerated comparison that amuses the reader.
Foreshadowing
- The growing number of pets hints at future adventures where Dolittle’s menagerie will play key roles (e.g., in his later voyages).

Significance of the Excerpt

Establishing Dolittle’s Character
- This passage defines who Doctor Dolittle is: a man who values animals over human conventions, uses his skills for good, and creates a harmonious multi-species family.
- His willingness to defy authority (the organ-grinder, circus-men) sets him up as a rebel with a cause.
Introducing Key Animal Characters
- Chee-Chee and the crocodile become important figures in later stories, showing that Dolittle’s kindness has lasting effects.
- Their backstories (abuse, captivity) make their freedom and happiness with Dolittle more meaningful.
Reinforcing the Book’s Moral Lessons
- Animals deserve respect and care—a progressive idea for the time (early 20th century).
- Kindness is rewarded—the animals choose to stay because Dolittle treats them well.
- True strength is compassion—Dolittle is physically strong but uses his power to protect, not dominate.
Setting Up the Fantasy World
- The talking animals and Dolittle’s language skills establish the magical realism of the story.
- The whimsical tone (a crocodile in a fish-pond) makes the world feel playful and inviting for young readers.

Line-by-Line Analysis of Key Moments

"And he never had the heart to refuse them when they asked if they could stay with him."
- Shows Dolittle’s soft-hearted nature—he can’t bear to turn away animals in need.
- Implies that his home is not just a clinic but a permanent refuge.
"The Doctor saw at once that the monkey’s collar was too tight and that he was dirty and unhappy."
- Observational detail that highlights Dolittle’s attention to animal suffering.
- The physical (tight collar) and emotional (unhappy) states make the monkey’s plight relatable.
"But the Doctor told him that if he didn’t go away he would punch him on the nose."
- Unexpected aggression from the usually gentle Dolittle—shows he won’t tolerate cruelty.
- Adds tension and humor (the idea of a doctor threatening to punch someone is absurd but satisfying).
"The other animals in the house called him 'Chee-Chee'—which is a common word in monkey-language, meaning 'ginger.'"
- World-building: The animals have their own language and culture.
- Humor: The name is simple and silly, making the monkey feel like a real, individualized character.
"But when the circus-men came to take him back he got so wild and savage that he frightened them away."
- Contrast: The crocodile is fierce to abusers but gentle to friends.
- Symbolism: Represents animals fighting back against exploitation when given the chance.
"But to every one in the house he was always as gentle as a kitten."
- Hyperbole for comedic effect—readers know crocodiles aren’t actually like kittens.
- Reinforces the theme of trust and mutual respect in Dolittle’s home.

Conclusion: Why This Excerpt Matters

This passage is foundational to The Story of Doctor Dolittle because it:

Introduces Dolittle’s defining traits (compassion, defiance of cruelty, love for animals).
Sets up the whimsical, animal-filled world that makes the story unique.
Teaches young readers about empathy—showing that animals have feelings and deserve kindness.
Blends humor and heart, making the moral lessons engaging rather than preachy.

The excerpt perfectly captures the charm of Lofting’s work: a mix of adventure, warmth, and gentle rebellion against the idea that humans should dominate animals. It’s a microcosm of the book’s larger themes—that understanding and kindness can create a better world for all creatures.

Would you like any additional analysis on a specific aspect, such as historical context or comparisons to other children’s literature?

Questions

Question 1

The passage’s depiction of Doctor Dolittle’s interactions with the organ-grinder and the circus-men serves primarily to:

A. underscore the economic disparities between Dolittle and the working-class men who rely on animals for their livelihood.
B. illustrate how Dolittle’s medical expertise is universally respected, even by those who initially oppose him.
C. reveal a tension between Dolittle’s moral authority and the exploitative norms of human-animal relationships.
D. demonstrate that physical intimidation is the only effective means of resolving conflicts over animal welfare.
E. suggest that animals are inherently more trustworthy than humans when assessing character.

Question 2

The crocodile’s behavior—wild toward the circus-men but gentle in Dolittle’s home—is most effectively interpreted as a narrative device to:

A. challenge the reader’s preconceived notions of "wildness" as an intrinsic rather than contextual trait.
B. reinforce the idea that predators are incapable of domestication without constant human supervision.
C. highlight the superior intelligence of reptiles compared to other animals in Dolittle’s care.
D. provide comic relief by exaggerating the absurdity of a crocodile coexisting with fish.
E. critique the circus industry’s inability to properly train dangerous animals.

Question 3

The phrase "as gentle as a kitten" functions rhetorically to:

A. emphasize the crocodile’s unnatural suppression of its predatory instincts.
B. suggest that Dolittle’s household operates under a magical realism where animals defy biology.
C. invite the reader to reconsider the boundaries between perceived danger and actual harm.
D. mock the naivety of characters who trust wild animals without caution.
E. foreshadow the crocodile’s eventual betrayal of Dolittle’s trust.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the narrative’s implicit stance on the organ-grinder’s claim to ownership of the monkey?

A. Ownership is a legally binding contract that Dolittle arbitrarily overrides.
B. The organ-grinder’s "ownership" is morally invalid because it is predicated on the monkey’s suffering.
C. Dolittle’s purchase of the monkey with a shilling legitimizes his superior claim to ownership.
D. The monkey’s desire to stay with Dolittle is irrelevant to the ethical debate over its custody.
E. The passage avoids taking a stance, presenting the conflict as a neutral dispute.

Question 5

The naming of the monkey as "Chee-Chee" by the other animals serves to:

A. assert the agency of the animal community in defining its own members’ identities.
B. trivialize the monkey’s past trauma by reducing it to a superficial physical trait.
C. demonstrate Dolittle’s inability to integrate the monkey into human linguistic norms.
D. reinforce the hierarchy within Dolittle’s household, where primates hold lower status.
E. suggest that animal languages are inherently more expressive than human languages.

Solutions and Explanations

1) Correct answer: C

Why C is most correct: The passage contrasts Dolittle’s ethical treatment of animals with the organ-grinder’s and circus-men’s exploitative practices. Dolittle’s actions—rescuing the monkey and healing the crocodile—challenge the normative human-animal power dynamic, positioning his moral authority as superior to the prevailing social order. The tension arises from his refusal to comply with human systems that prioritize utility over welfare.