# The Monkeys' Council explained — The Story of Doctor Dolittle

> Chapter companion for The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting.

## What happens

Chee-Chee keeps watch while Doctor Dolittle sleeps. Upon waking, the Doctor announces he must return to Puddleby to repay debts, surprising the monkeys. They hold a council to discuss how to persuade him to stay, but Chee-Chee explains the necessity of money in the Land of the White Men. Ultimately, they decide to give the Doctor a rare gift—a pushmi-pullyu, an animal no White Man has ever seen.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Human Arrogance

The monkeys are shocked by the White Men's need for money and their practice of caging animals in menageries, highlighting human folly.

### Friendship and Loyalty

The monkeys' council demonstrates their deep gratitude and loyalty to Doctor Dolittle, as they seek to give him a magnificent gift.

## Character check-ins

### Doctor Dolittle

Announces his intention to return to Puddleby to pay his debts, prompting the monkeys' council.

### Chee-Chee

Keeps watch at the Doctor's door, then speaks at the council explaining money and the need for the Doctor to return.

### Chief Chimpanzee

Rises to question why the Doctor is leaving and suggests building him a new house to make him stay.

### Gub-Gub

Not directly mentioned in this excerpt, but is part of the Doctor's animal family; omitted due to lack of presence.

## Key lines

> Then Chee-Chee told them that in the Land of the White Men you could get nothing without money; you could do nothing without money⁠—that it was almost impossible to live without money.

Chee-Chee explained that in the white men's country, money is essential for everything; without it, life is nearly impossible.

_Highlights the cultural contrast between the monkeys' world and human society._

> And the monkeys were very shocked and said to one another, 'These Men are like thoughtless young ones⁠—stupid and easily amused. Sh! It is a prison he means.'

The monkeys were horrified and remarked that white men behave like foolish children, finding amusement in what is essentially a prison for animals.

_Emphasizes the theme of critique of human arrogance and the monkeys' perspective on menageries._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/ix-the-monkeys-council
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters