# My Great Idea explained — The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

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

## What happens

Tommy Stubbins asks Doctor Dolittle to become his assistant and naturalist apprentice, and the Doctor agrees to discuss it with Tommy's parents over dinner. The Doctor tells Tommy about the mysterious naturalist Long Arrow, whom he has never met but knows through the Purple Bird-of-Paradise.

## Themes in this chapter

### Education and Curiosity

Tommy's desire to learn reading and writing to become a proper naturalist, and the Doctor's discussion of different paths to knowledge.

### Adventure and Exploration

Tommy's ambition to join the Doctor on future voyages and the mention of the mysterious Long Arrow in Peru.

## Character check-ins

### Tommy Stubbins

Tommy proposes to become the Doctor's assistant and asks him to speak with his parents.

### Doctor Dolittle

The Doctor listens to Tommy's proposal, agrees to visit his parents, and shares stories about Long Arrow.

### Long Arrow

Introduced as a mysterious Red Indian naturalist who cannot read or write but has immense knowledge of botany and animals.

### Miranda

The Purple Bird-of-Paradise who brought the Doctor information about Long Arrow and is expected back with a reply.

## Key lines

> I want to be a naturalist—like you—when I grow up.

Tommy declares his ambition to become a naturalist like the Doctor.

_Tommy states his career goal directly to the Doctor._

> The greatest naturalist of them all doesn't even know how to write his own name nor to read the A.B.C.

The Doctor says the best naturalist is illiterate.

_The Doctor contrasts formal education with innate naturalist skill._

> I got her to take a message to him for me last time she was here. I am expecting her back any day now.

The Doctor sent a message to Long Arrow via the Purple Bird-of-Paradise and awaits her return.

_The Doctor reveals he is in contact with Long Arrow through Miranda._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/part-i-xii-my-great-idea
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters