The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle · Chapter
X: The Coronation of King Jong explained
The chapter describes the grand coronation ceremony of Doctor Dolittle as King Jong on Spidermonkey Island.
What happens
The chapter describes the grand coronation ceremony of Doctor Dolittle as King Jong on Spidermonkey Island. The Whispering Rocks are filled with every inhabitant, including the sick Long Arrow. The old man recounts the history of Popsipetel kings and the Doctor's deeds. The Sacred Crown is placed on the Doctor's head, and the people's shout causes the Hanging Stone to fall into the volcano, triggering the island to sink and come to rest on the Atlantic seabed. The Doctor's totem pole, topped with a parrot, symbolizes his animal knowledge.
Themes in this chapter
Responsibility and Leadership
Doctor Dolittle is crowned king, accepting the leadership of the Popsipetel people; his deeds are recounted, showing his responsibility toward the tribe.
Cultural Exchange and Understanding
The coronation blends Popsipetel traditions (totem pole, sacred crown, Whispering Rocks) with the Doctor's own values, symbolizing mutual respect and integration.
Adventure and Exploration
The dramatic sinking of Spidermonkey Island and the fall of the Hanging Stone highlight the adventurous and unpredictable nature of the journey.
Characters to notice
- Doctor Dolittle
Crowned as King Jong; his small figure sits on the throne, feet dangling; keeps his battered hat on his lap; the island sinks after his coronation.
- Bumpo Kahbooboo
Witnesses the coronation with Tommy; comments on the Doctor's thoughts about the air-chamber and the sea depth.
- Chee-Chee
Present at the Whispering Rocks with Tommy and others during the coronation.
- Polynesia
Present at the Whispering Rocks; the parrot is featured at the top of the Thinkalot totem pole.
- Jip
Present at the Whispering Rocks with Tommy during the coronation.
- Long Arrow
Carried up on his sick bed to witness the coronation.
Key passages
“Then taking up the Sacred Crown he placed it upon John Dolittle’s head. It did not fit very well (for it had been made for smaller-headed kings), and when the wind blew in freshly from the sunlit sea the Doctor had some difficulty in keeping it on.”
The old man put the Sacred Crown on the Doctor's head, but it was too small and kept slipping in the wind.
Highlights the Doctor's humble and comical appearance even in a grand ceremony.
“And then at last the voice of the people broke loose. “ Jong! Jong! ” they shouted, “ Long Live King Jong! ” The sound burst upon the solemn silence with the crash of a hundred cannon.”
The crowd erupted in cheers, shouting 'Jong! Long live King Jong!' with a noise like a hundred cannons.
Emphasizes the dramatic shift from silence to thunderous approval.
“Soon we felt the island slowly sinking beneath us. We saw the sea creep inland over the beaches as the shores went down—one foot, three feet, ten feet, twenty, fifty, a hundred. And then, thank goodness, gently as a butterfly alighting on a rose, it stopped!”
The island sank gradually, the sea flooding the shores, until it settled softly on the ocean floor.
Describes the miraculous and gentle landing of the island after the coronation.