Doctor Dolittle

Jip

Jip is Doctor Dolittle's loyal and brave dog, accompanying him on adventures.

Prince Bumpo

Doctor Dolittle helps Prince Bumpo with his wish to become white, and they become allies.

Ben Ali

Ben Ali, the Barbary pirate, is an antagonist who clashes with Doctor Dolittle.

Chee-Chee

Chee-Chee, a monkey, is a close companion and helper to Doctor Dolittle.

Polynesia

Polynesia, a parrot, is Doctor Dolittle's wise and talkative friend who teaches him animal language.

Dab-Dab

Dab-Dab, a duck, is a devoted and practical member of Doctor Dolittle's household.

Gub-Gub

Gub-Gub, a pig, is a gluttonous but affectionate pet of Doctor Dolittle.

Sarah Dolittle

Sarah Dolittle is Doctor Dolittle's sister, who disapproves of his animal-filled household.

Too-Too

Too-Too, an owl, is a wise and helpful friend to Doctor Dolittle.

White Men

White Men are European explorers or colonizers who encounter Doctor Dolittle in Africa.

Ermintrude

Doctor Dolittle meets Princess Ermintrude briefly in the context of the Jolliginki conflict.

Jip

Jip is Doctor Dolittle's loyal and brave dog, accompanying him on adventures.

The Story of Doctor Dolittle

The protagonist, a doctor with a peculiar life who learns animal language.

Puddleby

Introduced as a proper doctor who loves animals more than people, leading to his financial decline.

Animal Language

Learns animal language from Polynesia and becomes an animal doctor.

More Money Troubles

Rescues Chee-Chee and the crocodile, refuses to send them away, and remains unworried about money despite growing poverty.

A Message from Africa

Receives the message from Africa and decides to go despite having no money; borrows a boat and organizes the journey.

The Great Journey

Leads the journey to Africa, remains calm during the shipwreck, and is taken before the King of the Jolliginki.

VI: Polynesia and the King

Imprisoned by the King; relies on Polynesia's trickery to escape.

VII: The Bridge of Apes

Leads the group, carries Gub-Gub and the luggage, trips over his medicine-bag, and is the last to cross the bridge of apes.

The Leader of the Lions

Works tirelessly to vaccinate and treat thousands of sick monkeys, organizes a hospital, and persuades the animals to help.

The Monkeys' Council

Announces his intention to return to Puddleby to pay his debts, prompting the monkeys' council.

The Rarest Animal of All

Agrees to take the pushmi-pullyu home to earn money, gives a farewell speech to the monkeys, and departs for the seashore.

XI: The Black Prince

Leads the group after farewell with monkeys, gets lost in jungle, recaptured and imprisoned by the King.

Medicine and Magic

Mixes a whitening potion for Prince Bumpo to secure their escape from prison; later expresses regret and concern about the potion's permanence.

XIII: Red Sails and Blue Wings

Leads the escape from the pirates by following the swallows' advice.

The Rats’ Warning

Heeds the rats' warning and later escapes pirates by boarding their ship.

The Barbary Dragon

Negotiates with Ben Ali and the sharks, sparing the pirates and ordering them to become farmers.

XVI: Too-Too, the Listener

Leads the exploration of the pirate ship and decides to break down the locked door to help the weeping captive.

VII: The Ocean Gossips

Rescues the boy from the rum-room, comforts him, and consults the porpoises to find news of his uncle.

Smells

Organizes the search for the boy's uncle, first via eagles and then by consulting Jip.

The Rock

Steers the ship according to Jip's directions, investigates the rock, and enters the cave to find the sleeping man.

The Fisherman's Town

Wakes the fisherman gently, accepts the town's gratitude and gifts, and prepares to return home.

Home Again

Returns to Puddleby a rich man after traveling as a showman with the pushmi-pullyu; refuses to sell the creature; buys new ships, pays debts, and acquires multiple money-boxes.