# VII: The Doctor's Decision explained — The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

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

## What happens

Polynesia orchestrates a secret escape for Doctor Dolittle from his unwanted kingship on Popsipetel. With the help of porpoises, she persuades a giant snail to carry the party back to England. After an internal struggle, the Doctor decides to leave, laying down his crown and boarding the snail with his companions at dawn.

## Themes in this chapter

### Responsibility and Leadership

The Doctor struggles with his sense of duty to the Popsipetel people versus his calling to help animals worldwide, ultimately choosing the latter.

### Freedom vs. Confinement

The Doctor feels trapped by his kingship; Polynesia and Long Arrow urge him to escape before he becomes a 'captive king' forever.

### Adventure and Exploration

The Doctor is thrilled by the prospect of examining the ocean floor from Brazil to Europe, a journey no man has ever taken.

## Character check-ins

### Doctor Dolittle

Torn between duty to the Popsipetel natives and his longing to return to his animal work, he ultimately decides to leave, laying down his crown and boarding the snail.

### Polynesia

The cunning old parrot masterminds the escape, secretly arranging with porpoises to persuade the snail, and ensuring all essentials (notebooks, hat, provisions) are ready.

### Tommy Stubbins

Narrates the chapter; he retrieves the Doctor's notebooks and joins the departure, feeling a premonition they will never return to the palace.

### Long Arrow

Supports the Doctor's decision, brings his plant collection, and bids a heartfelt farewell, predicting the Doctor will be mourned.

### Bumpo Kahbooboo

Carries the Doctor's old hat hidden under his coat, and whispers 'Tiptoe incognito' as they leave the palace.

### Jip

Present on the beach with the group, lolling at the foot of a palm before the departure.

## Key lines

> Now it is highly important that the Doctor return to his own country to carry on his proper work which means such a lot to the animals of the world.

Polynesia argues that the Doctor's true mission is helping animals globally, not ruling Popsipetel.

_Polynesia's persuasive speech to the porpoises to enlist the snail's help._

> Great decisions often take no more than a moment in the making.

After long hesitation, the Doctor's choice to leave crystallizes instantly.

_Narrative reflection on the Doctor's final decision to abandon the crown._

> They will find it here, when they come to search for me. And they will know that I have gone.

The Doctor places the crown on the sand, accepting that his subjects will discover his departure.

_The Doctor's emotional farewell as he lays down the Sacred Crown._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/part-vi-vii-the-doctor-s-decision
- 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