The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle · Chapter
The Wiff-Waff explained
Tommy Stubbins explores the Doctor's animal-filled home, changes into dry clothes, and shares a meal with the Doctor.
What happens
Tommy Stubbins explores the Doctor's animal-filled home, changes into dry clothes, and shares a meal with the Doctor. The Doctor introduces Tommy to the Wiff-Waff, a creature he hopes will help him learn the language of shellfish. Tommy asks the Doctor to help his injured squirrel, and they agree to visit Tommy's home that evening.
Themes in this chapter
Education and Curiosity
The Doctor's quest to learn shellfish language to uncover ancient history highlights the theme of intellectual curiosity.
Kindness and Compassion
The Doctor's immediate willingness to help Tommy's injured squirrel demonstrates his compassionate nature.
Friendship and Loyalty
The Doctor treats Tommy as a grown-up friend, fostering a bond of mutual respect and companionship.
Characters to notice
- Doctor Dolittle
Welcomes Tommy, cooks supper, explains his study of shellfish language, and agrees to help Tommy's sick squirrel.
- Tommy Stubbins
Visits the Doctor's home, changes into dry clothes, shares a meal, and asks for help with his injured squirrel.
- Dab-Dab
Acts as housekeeper, airs bedding with Jip, and is praised by the Doctor for her diligence.
- Jip
Helps Dab-Dab drag sheets and pillowcases to air by the fire.
Key passages
“This man seemed to begin right away treating me as though I were a grown-up friend of his.”
The Doctor immediately treated Tommy like an adult friend.
Tommy feels respected and valued by the Doctor's mature treatment.
“I am certain that the oldest history in the world is to be had from the shellfish—and from them only.”
The Doctor believes shellfish hold the key to the world's oldest history.
The Doctor explains his motivation for learning shellfish language.