The Story of Doctor Dolittle · Theme
Critique of Human Arrogance
How The Story of Doctor Dolittle develops Critique of Human Arrogance.
Through characters like Polynesia the parrot, the book criticizes human self-importance and the notion of 'dumb animals,' showing that animals have complex languages and intelligence that humans often fail to recognize.
Where it surfaces
- Animal Language
Polynesia criticizes humans for calling animals 'dumb' while being ignorant of animal communication.
- VI: Polynesia and the King
The King's blanket distrust of white men due to past exploitation highlights the arrogance and greed of colonial powers.
- The Leader of the Lions
The lion's initial pride and refusal to help, followed by his humbling, serves as a critique of arrogance and the value of humility.
- The Monkeys' Council
The monkeys are shocked by the White Men's need for money and their practice of caging animals in menageries, highlighting human folly.
- XI: The Black Prince
The King's arrogance in imprisoning the Doctor and the use of trickery to undermine his authority.
- The Barbary Dragon
Ben Ali's arrogance as a pirate is contrasted with his humiliating fate of becoming a birdseed farmer.