47 pages • 1 hour read
The Story of Doctor Dolittle
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Essay Topics
Discuss the character of Doctor John Dolittle. How do his traits and actions reflect compassion and understanding? What broader message does Lofting’s characterization of Dolittle demonstrate within the narrative?
Explore the relationships between Doctor Dolittle and his various animal companions. How do these relationships drive the narrative forward and what do they reveal about Dolittle’s character?
Examine how the novel addresses The Impact of Human Activity on Nature. What message does the author convey about environmental stewardship? Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.
Animals play a significant role in the story. Choose three animals and discuss their symbolic meanings and their importance to the narrative.
How does reading the story from a postcolonial lens reveal the negative stereotypes and values of its sociocultural period? Consider Lofting’s portrayal of colonialism, race, and class in your argument.
Discuss the theme of Adventure and Exploration in the novel. How does Lofting’s motif of journeys and expeditions help illuminate this theme?
What moral lessons can be drawn from the adventures of Doctor Dolittle? How do these lessons reflect the author’s worldview? Take the author’s personal context and history into account when shaping your argument.
How does the novel address issues of cultural superiority, exploitation, and the consequences of colonialism within the narrative?
Discuss the legacy of the story considering the historical context of the early 20th century and the First World War. How do the themes of the novel reflect the anxieties, hopes, and social changes of the era?
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