The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle · Chapter
VII: The Peace of the Parrots explained
The Doctor, still angry over the attack on the Popsipetels, travels to the City of Bag-jagderag to impose a peace.
What happens
The Doctor, still angry over the attack on the Popsipetels, travels to the City of Bag-jagderag to impose a peace. He refuses the chief's friendly gestures, delivers a stern speech threatening to unleash the parrots, and dictates a peace treaty on the palace walls. The peace forbids fighting and requires mutual aid during famines. The Bag-jagderags, expecting harsh punishment, are instead moved by his kindness and offer him riches to stay, but he declines and departs.
Themes in this chapter
Responsibility and Leadership
The Doctor takes charge of the conflict, dictates a fair peace, and refuses personal gain, demonstrating responsible leadership.
Kindness and Compassion
Despite his anger, the Doctor imposes a merciful peace focused on mutual aid rather than punishment, surprising the Bag-jagderags.
Cultural Exchange and Understanding
The Doctor uses his language skills and a Popsipetel boy's English to communicate, and the peace treaty fosters cooperation between tribes.
Characters to notice
- Doctor Dolittle
Shows rare anger at the Bag-jagderags for attacking the Popsipetels, dictates the Peace of the Parrots, and refuses offers of wealth to stay.
- Tommy Stubbins
Narrates the journey to Bag-jagderag and the Doctor's speech, observing the crowd's reaction.
- Bumpo Kahbooboo
Accompanies the Doctor and Tommy, smiling with satisfaction at the subdued crowd.
- Long Arrow
Mentioned as not accompanying the group because he is still weak from his wound.
Key passages
“When he threw himself into that fight at Popsipetel, I saw the Doctor really angry for the first time in my life.”
Tommy observes that the Doctor's anger during the battle at Popsipetel was unprecedented.
Highlights the Doctor's rare fury, setting the tone for his stern approach to the peace negotiations.
“Then he said he was still seriously thinking of allowing the parrots to drive them on into the sea, in order that this pleasant land might be rid, once for all, of their worthless carcases.”
The Doctor threatens to let the parrots force the Bag-jagderags into the sea to cleanse the land of them.
Illustrates the Doctor's use of psychological pressure and the parrots as a tool of intimidation.
“But the main part of it all was that there should be no more fighting; and that the two tribes should give solemn promise to help one another whenever there was corn-famine or other distress in the lands belonging to either.”
The core of the peace treaty is an end to hostilities and a mutual aid pact during famines or hardships.
Emphasizes the Doctor's focus on long-term cooperation rather than revenge.
“No man, said he, would wish to be the guest of the Bag-jagderags till they had proved by their deeds that they are an honest race.”
The Doctor refuses to stay, saying he will only consider their hospitality after they demonstrate honesty through actions.
Shows the Doctor's insistence on trust earned through behavior, not promises.