# Polynesia — The Story of Doctor Dolittle character guide

> Polynesia in The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0003-ii-animal-language

## Snapshot

A sharp-tongued, century-old parrot who teaches Doctor Dolittle to speak animal language and never lets him forget who really runs the household.

## Who they are

Polynesia sits in the window of the Dolittle house, watching leaves blow and mocking humans for thinking themselves so wonderful when the only animal word they understand is a wagging tail. She is the one who first teaches the Doctor to talk with animals, and her age — she claims to remember King Charles hiding in an oak — gives her a long, skeptical view of everyone, human and beast. Her impatience and cunning make her the Doctor's most useful adviser once the voyage begins, and her voice sets the book's tone of wry, unsentimental affection for its hero.

## Relationships

### [Doctor Dolittle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/doctor_dolittle)

_friendship_

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

### [Prince Bumpo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/prince_bumpo)

_friendship_

Polynesia helps Prince Bumpo by convincing him to assist Doctor Dolittle's escape.

### [Doctor Dolittle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/doctor_dolittle)

_friendship_

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

### [Prince Bumpo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/prince_bumpo)

_friendship_

Polynesia helps Prince Bumpo by convincing him to assist Doctor Dolittle's escape.

## In the story

### [Puddleby](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/i-puddleby)

Mentioned as one of the Doctor's favorite pets, a parrot.

### [Animal Language](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/ii-animal-language)

Teaches Doctor Dolittle bird-language and explains that animals communicate in many ways.

### [More Money Troubles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/iii-more-money-troubles)

Becomes housekeeper and laundress, and suggests the animals do the housework themselves.

### [A Message from Africa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/iv-a-message-from-africa)

Advises on necessary supplies for the voyage and shows Gub-Gub the bunks.

### [The Great Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/v-the-great-journey)

Acts as a guide and communicator, organizes the lifeline rescue, and expresses nostalgia upon returning to Africa.

### [VI: Polynesia and the King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/vi-polynesia-and-the-king)

Hides in the Doctor's pocket, escapes through the prison window, and tricks the King by mimicking the Doctor's voice.

### [VII: The Bridge of Apes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/vii-the-bridge-of-apes)

Helps find fruits and vegetables in the jungle, sings songs about the sea around the campfire.

### [The Leader of the Lions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/viii-the-leader-of-the-lions)

Present during the events, though not directly mentioned in the excerpts.

### [XI: The Black Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xi-the-black-prince)

Hides in a tree after capture, devises a trick by impersonating a fairy to Prince Bumpo.

### [Medicine and Magic](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xii-medicine-and-magic)

Devises the plan to have Prince Bumpo help them escape; stays behind in Africa as it is her proper home.

### [The Rats’ Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xiv-the-rats-warning)

Not directly mentioned in this chapter.

### [Home Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xxi-home-again)

Squeaks from the vines in Africa, expressing hope that the Doctor will return.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/polynesia
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters