Bad Weather explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Adventure and Exploration

  The chapter depicts the perilous realities of sea exploration, as the crew faces a violent storm that tests their survival skills.

• Responsibility and Leadership

  Doctor Dolittle takes charge during the crisis, using his navigational knowledge and taking the wheel, while Polynesia directs the crew's actions.

Characters to notice

• Tommy Stubbins

  Narrates the chapter, notices the change in wind, and is swept across the deck by a wave, hitting his head and fainting.

• Doctor Dolittle

  Shows unease about the lack of wind, uses his sextant and maps, and takes the wheel when the storm hits.

• Polynesia

  Keeps lookout in the rigging, warns of the approaching storm, and directs the crew to take down sails and close portholes.

• Chee-Chee

  Helps with the sails and is nearly carried overboard when the canvas is torn away by the wind.

• Bumpo Kahbooboo

  Mentioned as being woken by Polynesia to help prepare for the storm.

Key passages

• “As soon as I had the Curlew swung round upon her course again I noticed something peculiar: we were not going as fast as we had been.”

  After turning the Curlew back on course, Tommy realized the ship had slowed down significantly.

  Highlights the sudden change in sailing conditions that foreshadows the storm.

• “If that wind would just stay with us, steady, for a full day we'd see land.”

  The Doctor expressed hope that a steady wind for just one day would bring them within sight of Brazil.

  Shows the Doctor's optimism and the proximity to land before the storm hits.

• “When that storm finally struck us we leaned right over flatly on our side, as though some invisible giant had slapped the poor Curlew on the cheek.”

  The storm hit so hard that the ship heeled over sharply, as if struck by a giant hand.

  Vivid imagery conveying the sudden and violent force of the storm.