# Communication and Understanding in The Story of Doctor Dolittle

> Theme guide for The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting.

The Doctor's ability to learn animal language breaks down barriers between species, highlighting the importance of listening and understanding others, whether they are animals or people, to foster cooperation and empathy.

## Where it surfaces

- [Animal Language](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/ii-animal-language): Doctor Dolittle learns that animals have a complex language, enabling him to understand and treat them effectively.
- [The Great Journey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/v-the-great-journey): Polynesia communicates with flying-fish and porpoises, showing cross-species understanding and cooperation.
- [VI: Polynesia and the King](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/vi-polynesia-and-the-king): Polynesia uses her ability to mimic human speech to deceive the King, demonstrating the power of language and clever communication.
- [The Rats’ Warning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xiv-the-rats-warning): The Doctor communicates with rats and canaries, receiving warnings and guidance.
- [XVI: Too-Too, the Listener](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xvi-too-too-the-listener): Too-Too's extraordinary listening ability demonstrates deep understanding beyond ordinary senses, highlighting the theme of communication.
- [VII: The Ocean Gossips](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/vii-the-ocean-gossips): Doctor Dolittle uses his ability to speak animal languages to communicate with the porpoises and learn the fate of the boy's uncle.
- [Smells](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/xviii-smells): The Doctor communicates with eagles and Jip to solve the problem, highlighting cross-species cooperation.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/themes/communication_and_understanding
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/themes