# VI: Polynesia and the King explained — The Story of Doctor Dolittle

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

## What happens

The Doctor and his animals are imprisoned by the King of Jolliginki, who refuses to let them travel through his lands due to past betrayal by white men. Polynesia hides in the Doctor's pocket and later escapes through the prison window. That night, she flies to the palace, mimics the Doctor's voice, and tricks the King into releasing them by threatening to make him and his people ill. The King orders the prison opened, but the Queen sees Polynesia escaping and reveals the trick. By the time the King returns, the Doctor and his animals have already fled.

## Themes in this chapter

### Critique of Human Arrogance

The King's blanket distrust of white men due to past exploitation highlights the arrogance and greed of colonial powers.

### Communication and Understanding

Polynesia uses her ability to mimic human speech to deceive the King, demonstrating the power of language and clever communication.

### Freedom vs. Captivity

The Doctor and his animals are imprisoned in a dungeon, and Polynesia's ruse is aimed at securing their freedom.

## Character check-ins

### Doctor Dolittle

Imprisoned by the King; relies on Polynesia's trickery to escape.

### Polynesia

Hides in the Doctor's pocket, escapes through the prison window, and tricks the King by mimicking the Doctor's voice.

### Gub-Gub

Cries in the dungeon; is scolded by Chee-Chee.

### Chee-Chee

Threatens to spank Gub-Gub for crying.

### Dab-Dab

Counts the group to ensure everyone is present.

### King of the Jolliginki

Imprisons the Doctor due to past betrayal by white men; is tricked by Polynesia into releasing them.

### Ermintrude

Queen of Jolliginki; sees Polynesia escaping and reveals the trick to the King.

### Prince Bumpo

Mentioned as being away fishing for salmon; heard snoring in his bedroom.

## Key lines

> I am Doctor Dolittle,” said the parrot⁠—just the way the Doctor would have said it.

Polynesia mimics the Doctor's voice perfectly.

_Polynesia uses her mimicry to impersonate the Doctor and deceive the King._

> Foolish King! Have you forgotten that you are talking to John Dolittle, M.D. ⁠—the most wonderful man on earth? Of course you cannot see me. I have made myself invisible.

Polynesia, pretending to be the Doctor, claims to be invisible and threatens the King.

_Polynesia's clever bluff exploits the King's superstition and fear._

> Never again shall a white man travel through the lands of Jolliginki.

The King declares a permanent ban on white travelers due to past betrayal.

_The King's decree reflects the historical context of colonial exploitation._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/vi-polynesia-and-the-king
- 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