# Polynesia Has a Plan explained — The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

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

## What happens

The crew devises a plan to lock the troublesome Ben Butcher in the dining-saloon after he criticizes their sailing and threatens mutiny.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Loyalty

The crew bands together to protect the Doctor from Ben Butcher's potential mutiny.

### Freedom vs. Confinement

Ben Butcher is confined to the dining-saloon to prevent him from taking over the ship.

## Character check-ins

### Tommy Stubbins

Narrator and participant in the plan to trap Ben Butcher.

### Polynesia

Devises the plan to lock Ben Butcher in the dining-saloon.

### Bumpo Kahbooboo

Helps execute the plan by laying the table and locking the door.

### Jip

Expresses concern about Ben Butcher and supports Polynesia's plan.

### Chee-Chee

Present during the discussion of the plan.

## Key lines

> I shall have to run for the Capa Blancas after all. Dreadful nuisance! But I'd sooner swim back to Puddleby than have to listen to that fellow's talk all the way to Brazil.

The Doctor decides to change course to the Capa Blancas just to avoid Ben Butcher's incessant complaining.

_Shows the Doctor's irritation with Ben Butcher._

> Mark my words, if you travel with John Dolittle you always get there, as you heard him say. I've been with him lots of times and I know. Sometimes the ship is upside down when you get there, and sometimes it's right way up. But you get there just the same.

Polynesia reassures Tommy that despite the Doctor's unorthodox methods, they will eventually reach their destination safely.

_Highlights Polynesia's confidence in the Doctor._

> What I'm afraid of is that he may hit the Doctor on the head when he's not looking and make himself captain of the Curlew. Bad sailors do that sometimes. Then they run the ship their own way and take it where they want. That's what you call a mutiny.

Polynesia warns that Ben Butcher might stage a mutiny by knocking out the Doctor and taking command.

_Sets up the need for the plan to trap Ben Butcher._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/part-iii-v-polynesia-has-a-plan
- 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