# Prologue explained — The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle

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

## What happens

The narrator, now an old man, introduces his account of Doctor Dolittle's life, explaining that he was given permission long ago to write about their adventures. He relies on the parrot Polynesia's remarkable memory to fill in details he cannot recall.

## Themes in this chapter

### Adventure and Exploration

The narrator recalls voyaging around the world and having adventures with Doctor Dolittle.

### Education and Curiosity

The narrator and the Doctor filled notebooks with natural history, reflecting a spirit of learning and discovery.

## Character check-ins

### Doctor Dolittle

The great man whose life the narrator is setting down, having given permission years ago.

### Tommy Stubbins

The narrator, now an old man, recalling his adventures with the Doctor.

### Polynesia

The nearly 250-year-old parrot who sits on the narrator's desk and helps him remember events with her marvelous memory.

## Key lines

> All that I have written so far about Doctor Dolittle I heard long after it happened from those who had known him—indeed a great deal of it took place before I was born.

Everything I've written about Doctor Dolittle up to now came from people who knew him, since much of it happened before I was born.

_The narrator explains that earlier accounts were secondhand._

> But I now come to set down that part of the great man’s life which I myself saw and took part in.

Now I will write about the part of his life that I witnessed and participated in myself.

_The narrator transitions to firsthand experiences._

> That wonderful bird (she is now nearly two hundred and fifty years old) sits on the top of my desk, usually humming sailor songs to herself, while I write this book.

Polynesia, now almost 250 years old, perches on my desk humming sailor songs as I write.

_Describes Polynesia's age and current activity._

> And, as everyone who ever met her knows, Polynesia’s memory is the most marvelous memory in the world.

Anyone who has met Polynesia knows her memory is extraordinary.

_Highlights Polynesia's exceptional memory._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_voyages_of_doctor_dolittle_se/chapters/prologue
- 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