The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle · Chapter
General Polynesia explained
In the heat of battle, Long Arrow and Bumpo fall, leaving Doctor Dolittle to fight alone.
What happens
In the heat of battle, Long Arrow and Bumpo fall, leaving Doctor Dolittle to fight alone. Just as the Popsipetels are overwhelmed, Polynesia arrives with millions of Black Parrots who defeat the Bag-jagderags by snipping their ears. The Doctor tends the wounded and declares peace terms to be arranged in the enemy's city.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Polynesia's timely rescue with millions of parrots demonstrates unwavering loyalty to the Doctor and the Popsipetels.
Adventure and Exploration
The battle and subsequent victory highlight the adventurous spirit of the Doctor's journey in foreign lands.
Kindness and Compassion
After the battle, the Doctor immediately tends to the wounded, showing his compassionate nature even amid conflict.
Characters to notice
- Doctor Dolittle
Fights valiantly as the last of the 'Terribles' and later tends to the wounded.
- Tommy Stubbins
Rushes to the Doctor's side during the battle and is swept down by the mob.
- Polynesia
Brings sixty to seventy million Black Parrots to rescue the Popsipetels and commands them to drive the enemy back.
- Long Arrow
Falls with a spear in his chest and is the worst wounded, but recovers after the Doctor's care.
- Bumpo Kahbooboo
Fights fiercely until struck by a stone; is badly stunned but survives.
- Jip
Rushes to the Doctor's side during the battle, though too light and small to replace the fallen.
Key passages
“But a stone, skilfully thrown, struck him at last in the centre of the forehead. And down went the second of the Three.”
A well-aimed stone hit Bumpo in the forehead, and he fell, becoming the second of the three defenders to go down.
Describes Bumpo's fall in battle.
“The army, which in the nick of time Polynesia had brought to our rescue, darkened the whole sky to the westward.”
Polynesia's rescue army arrived just in time, blotting out the western sky.
Highlights the dramatic arrival of the parrot army.
“And that (though it is not generally known to scientists) is how this people came to be called by the other Indian nations, the Ragged-Eared Bag-jagderags.”
This explains why other tribes called them the Ragged-Eared Bag-jagderags, a fact unknown to scientists.
Provides the origin of the tribe's nickname.