The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle · Character

Chee-Chee

A clever monkey who once fled home in a hat and skirt, Chee-Chee returns to Puddleby exhausted and helps the Doctor with animal communication.

supporting

Also known as Chee, old Chee-Chee, poor old Chee-Chee

First appearance: Chee-Chee’s Voyage

As a supporting figure in The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle, Chee-Chee is not background color—the story leans on what they do once the chapter opens.

The monkey who returns to Puddleby and joins the voyage.

In the storyThe Voyages of Doctor DolittleOpen this moment free

After a miserable journey from Bristol, tripping over borrowed women's clothes and sleeping in ditches, Chee-Chee climbs back to his old bed on the plate-rack and is welcomed like family. He is homesick, funny and a little vain about his hardships, but his knowledge of monkey talk makes him invaluable on voyages. His return shows how the Doctor's household absorbs strays and how far his animals will travel to come home.

See Chee-Chee in The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle Book page

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Character Web

14 connections

A slice of how Chee-Chee sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

Relationship types

Friendship
Other

Character groups

Doctor's core companions
Protagonist
Supporting crew and locals

+9 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

Setup
Escalation
Breaking point
Aftermath
Closing

This chapter represents the story's dramatic climax because it marks the emotional and psychological peak wher…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Doctor Dolittle
friendship · positive
Chee-Chee is a resourceful and loyal monkey who serves as Doctor Dolittle's assistant and… How this plays out →
Polynesia
friendship · ambivalent
Doctor Dolittle
friendship · positive
Chee-Chee is a resourceful and loyal monkey who serves as Doctor Dolittle's assistant and… How this plays out →
Polynesia
friendship · ambivalent

Doctor Dolittle
Chee-Chee is a resourceful and loyal monkey who serves as Doctor Dolittle's assistant and friend.
Polynesia
Chee-Chee and Polynesia are fellow animal companions who often bicker but ultimately work together for Doctor Dolittle.
Doctor Dolittle
Chee-Chee is a resourceful and loyal monkey who serves as Doctor Dolittle's assistant and friend.
Polynesia
Chee-Chee and Polynesia are fellow animal companions who often bicker but ultimately work together for Doctor Dolittle.

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Chee-Chee in Chee-Chee’s Voyage

In the story

Chee-Chee appears across 20 companion beats. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle
The monkey who returns to Puddleby and joins the voyage.
A Traveler Arrives
Returns to Puddleby disguised in ragged clothes, climbs over the gate, and is joyfully reunited with the Doctor and friends.
Chee-Chee’s Voyage
Returns to Puddleby after a difficult journey disguised in girl's clothes.
The Crew of The Curlew
Mentioned as a potential crew member, though not as strong as a man.
Blind Travel
Helps clear away the tea dishes.
Destiny and Destination
Tommy runs to the kitchen to share the news of the voyage with Chee-Chee.
Goodbye!
Coils ropes in the stern and arranges them neatly.
Polynesia Has a Plan
Present during the discussion of the plan.
We Depart in a Hurry
Sent by the Doctor to wait with the rowboat at the landing-wall, helps load supplies.
Bad Weather
Helps with the sails and is nearly carried overboard when the canvas is torn away by the wind.
IV: Wrecked!
Spotted Tommy and Miranda approaching, waves to them.
Land!
Feeds Tommy ship's biscuit upon reunion.
The Jabizri
Assists Polynesia in foraging for fruits and nuts and serves as a guide through the jungle.
Hawk's-Head Mountain
Searches every peak and hollow but finds no sign of hidden men.
A Great Moment
Scales the slab and later fetches fruit and water for the starving Indians.
War!
Takes a bag of rocks and climbs a palm tree to throw them at the enemy.
X: The Coronation of King Jong
Present at the Whispering Rocks with Tommy and others during the coronation.
Thoughts of Home
Helps prepare the Doctor's pipe and dressing-gown upon his arrival.
IV: The Sea-Serpent
Not directly mentioned in the excerpts; excluded from check-ins.
The Last Cabinet Meeting
Reminisces about getting stuck on a mud-bank when they left England.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Chee-Chee unlock in the free preview.

See Chee-Chee in Chee-Chee’s Voyage

See Chee-Chee in The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle