# Luke the Hermit — The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle character guide

> Luke the Hermit in The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Luke, The Hermit, the Hermit

**First appearance:** 0019-part-ii-ii-luke-the-hermit

## Snapshot

A hermit whose long solitude is shattered when the wife he hasn't seen in fifteen years finds him in a courtroom, and whose freedom the Doctor secures.

## Who they are

Luke lives apart from the world until a trial and a reunion drag him back into it — his wife's arrival after fifteen years ends any hope the Doctor had of recruiting him for the voyage. The Doctor's quiet refusal to take credit, slipping out a side door while the crowd cheers Luke's name, reveals how the hermit's rescue becomes a lesson in what heroism actually costs. He matters because his story closes a chapter of the Doctor's old life just as the new voyage begins.

## Relationships

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

_friendship_

Luke the Hermit is a reclusive but kind friend to Doctor Dolittle, often providing shelter and wisdom.

### [Dab-Dab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/dab_dab)

_friendship_

Dab-Dab and Luke the Hermit share a cordial relationship, with Dab-Dab often visiting and helping at his hermitage.

### [Mendoza](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/mendoza)

_rivalry_

Luke the Hermit and Mendoza are enemies, as Mendoza once wronged Luke, leading to a bitter feud.

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

_friendship_

Luke the Hermit is a reclusive but kind friend to Doctor Dolittle, often providing shelter and wisdom.

### [Dab-Dab](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/dab_dab)

_friendship_

Dab-Dab and Luke the Hermit share a cordial relationship, with Dab-Dab often visiting and helping at his hermitage.

### [Mendoza](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/mendoza)

_rivalry_

Luke the Hermit and Mendoza are enemies, as Mendoza once wronged Luke, leading to a bitter feud.

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

_friendship_

Luke the Hermit is a reclusive but kind friend to Doctor Dolittle, often providing shelter and wisdom.

## In the story

### [The Cobbler's Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/part-i-i-the-cobbler-s-son)

One of Tommy's three great friends, mentioned but not yet described in detail.

### [The Crew of The Curlew](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/part-ii-i-the-crew-of-the-curlew)

Suggested by Tommy as a possible third crew member.

### [Luke the Hermit](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/part-ii-ii-luke-the-hermit)

Found missing from his shack with the door open; his whereabouts are unknown.

### [IV: Bob](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/part-ii-iv-bob)

Imprisoned and awaiting trial for killing a man; expresses resignation and relief that his hiding is over.

### [V: Mendoza](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/part-ii-v-mendoza)

The defendant on trial for killing Bluebeard Bill; sits between policemen, staring at the floor, but shows anger when Mendoza testifies.

### [The End of the Mystery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/part-ii-vii-the-end-of-the-mystery)

The defendant; his innocence is proven through Bob's account of the events in Mexico.

### [Three Cheers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/part-ii-viii-three-cheers)

Found not guilty and reunited with his wife after fifteen years.

### [Our Troubles Begin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/part-iii-iii-our-troubles-begin)

Stows away with his wife to escape notoriety; is put ashore at Penzance with a letter of introduction.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters/luke_the_hermit
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/characters