Doctor Dolittle

The Story of Doctor Dolittle title page

Doctor Dolittle is a central character in a series of children's books by British author Hugh Lofting. The character first appeared in the illustrated letters Lofting sent to his children from the trenches of World War I, which were later compiled into the first Doctor Dolittle book, The Story of Doctor Dolittle, published in 1920. Doctor Dolittle is a physician who shuns human patients in favor of animals, with whom he can speak in their own languages. The character's ability to communicate with animals is a central theme throughout the series.

Character Overview

Doctor John Dolittle, M.D., is portrayed as a kind-hearted, eccentric, and highly intelligent man who lives in the fictional village of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh in the West Country of England. He is a bachelor with a profound love for animals, leading him to learn hundreds of animal languages, which allows him to diagnose and treat their ailments more effectively than treating human patients. His household includes a variety of animals, including his loyal pet parrot, Polynesia, who teaches him the language of animals, and other characters such as Jip the dog, Gub-Gub the pig, and Chee-Chee the monkey.

Books

The Doctor Dolittle series began with The Story of Doctor Dolittle (1920), which was followed by a series of sequels, including The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle (1922), which won the prestigious Newbery Medal. Other notable books in the series include Doctor Dolittle's Post Office (1923), Doctor Dolittle's Circus (1924), and Doctor Dolittle's Zoo (1925). Hugh Lofting wrote a total of twelve Doctor Dolittle books before his death in 1947. The series has been continued by other authors and remains popular, with numerous adaptations in other media.

Themes and Legacy

The Doctor Dolittle books are celebrated for their imagination, humor, and the underlying message of respect and kindness towards all living creatures. They have been praised for their inventive language and the vivid world Lofting created. However, some of the early editions of the books contain racial stereotypes and language that is considered offensive by today's standards. In response, modern editions have been altered to remove or revise these elements.

The character of Doctor Dolittle has had a significant impact on popular culture, inspiring various adaptations, including films, stage plays, and animated series. The most famous adaptations are the 1967 musical film Doctor Dolittle starring Rex Harrison, and the series of films starting in 1998 starring Eddie Murphy. In 2020, Robert Downey Jr. portrayed the character in the film Dolittle.

Adaptations

The adaptability of the Doctor Dolittle stories has led to their being translated into numerous languages and adapted into various media. Beyond the aforementioned films, there have been animated television series, radio broadcasts, and stage productions, all contributing to the enduring popularity of the character and his animal companions.

Criticism and Controversy

While the Doctor Dolittle books are beloved by many, they have not been without controversy. Early editions contained depictions and language that are now recognized as racially insensitive. Efforts have been made in recent reprints to address these issues, either by removing or altering the problematic content to better align with contemporary values of inclusivity and respect for all cultures.

Conclusion

Doctor Dolittle remains an iconic character in children's literature, embodying the ideals of empathy, understanding, and the joy of communication. Despite the controversies surrounding some of the content in the original publications, the core messages of the series continue to resonate with readers around the world.