The Story of Doctor Dolittle

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and discusses the source text’s treatment of colonialist attitudes, which it portrays in a positive light, and its outdated and offensive depictions of Indigenous Africans, which rely on racist stereotypes.

“And whenever he walked down the street in his high hat everyone would say, ‘There goes the Doctor! He’s a clever man.’”

Lofting uses repetition and direct characterization to establish Doctor Dolittle’s reputation. The repeated phrase, “There goes the Doctor! He’s a clever man,” highlights the townspeople’s admiration. The “high hat” imagery emphasizes his distinctiveness and status, portraying him as a respected and intelligent figure.

“But I like the animals better than the ‘best people,’ said the Doctor.”

Direct dialogue and contrast highlight Doctor Dolittle’s preference for animals over humans, revealing a more introverted and reclusive personality and laying the groundwork for his character arc that sees him voyaging to far-flung lands and embracing a wider community. The phrase “I like the animals better than the ‘best people’“ reveals his unique values and empathy for animals. This contrast emphasizes Dolittle’s unconventional nature and foreshadows his deep connection with the animal kingdom throughout the story.

“Why don’t you give up being a people’s doctor, and be an animal doctor?”

This rhetorical question catalyzes a shift in Doctor Dolittle’s career. The suggestion to “give up being a people’s doctor and be an animal doctor” encapsulates the central conflict of the narrative—the tendency of humans to prioritize themselves above the welfare of animals—and foreshadows Dolittle’s transformation. This moment emphasizes the novel’s thematic focus on the Ethical Treatment of Animals and following one’s true passion and values.