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CASD 1717 – Fall 2024

Dr. Dolittle

Is this the Doctor Dolittle you know?

Chances are it is. But Dr. Dolittle is the main character in a series of fifteen books published between 1920 and 1952. He is able to speak animal languages and goes on various adventures with his animal companions. The book has a history of different approaches to dealing with elements from the original texts that are racist or colonialist.

File:Story of Dr Dolittle p036.jpg
Illustration from The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Other than the name and language skills, Lofting’s original stories in the film above do not have much in common.

More recently, Robert Downey Jr. has donned Dr. Dolittle’s top hat in a rendition that captures a bit more of the original book’s adventure feeling.

The Original Doctor

The character of Dr. John Dolittle first appeared in letters that the author Hugh Lofting illustrated and sent to his children from the trenches of World War I. Dolittle is a physician who feels uncomfortable with humans and prefers his animal companions whose language he learns to speak.

Read

The Story of Doctor Dolittle, Hugh Lofting

Read chapters: 1-2; 6, 10-12

Get at Project Gutenberg

The next book in the series, The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle published in 1922 won the second Newberry Award Medal ever given out. In this book, nearly five times as long, a young boy meets the Doctor and goes on an adventure looking for a missing naturalist, Long Arrow, an example of the noble savage stereotype.

The Dolittle stories were out of print for a while but were reissued in 1988, changing the illustrations that you saw in the above and removing some language.

Philip Nel gives a rundown of this and questions it raises here. (please read)

Another edited and newly illustrated version was recently released.

Which of these were you familiar with? What do you think? Is a character able to be separated from its origin?

Go back to India
Go to Disney again

Comments

18 responses to “Dr. Dolittle”

  1. Sofia Buttaro Avatar
    Sofia Buttaro

    Yes, I had read The Story of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting. It offers kid-friendly imaginative features, such as the ability to communicate with animals. Nonetheless, the book’s early 20th-century roots are reflected in its colonial overtones and prejudices, which can seem problematic or out of date now. Even while a character like Doctor Dolittle can be remade to appeal to contemporary ideals, as seen by recent adaptations, the character’s historical background cannot be disregarded. If a character is completely divorced from its source, significant chances for introspection and development are lost.

    Reply
  2. Mahnoor Avatar
    Mahnoor

    I am not familiar with any of these versions of Dr. Dolittle. After viewing these versions, I do think that the story is very interesting. When it comes to separating a character from their origin, I don’t think it’s possible. This is because the characters personalities and actions reflect who they are and why the story was written a certain way. I also believe changing the story through adaptations takes away the originality and essentially creates a new story. 

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  3. Selina Chen Avatar
    Selina Chen

    I am actually not familiar with any of the variations of Dr. Dolittle but both of these versions were interesting for me. I really liked Doctor Dolittle’s character where he can communicate with animals. I don’t think a character is able to be separated from its origin especially in Doctor Dolittle’s case as his ability to speak to animals is the core of his character shaping his actions, personality, and adventures. I think even if there were different versions of this story, Dr. Dolittle’s characteristic and ability to communicate with animals would stay the same.

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  4. Anthea H Longvlle Avatar
    Anthea H Longvlle

    I am familiar with the Dr. Dolittle version of Eddie Murphy. I think that it is funny and interesting and that he can communicate with the animals. I think it can happen both ways a character can be separated from its origin, especially in the case of Dr. Dolittle because communicating with the animals is the main part of the movie/story. Then again a character can also separate from its origin depending on the context of the story or book.

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  5. Amy Khait Avatar
    Amy Khait

    I am familiar with these variations of Dr. Dolittle. Both of these versions were pretty interesting for me. I am more familiar with the first version. I always really liked Dr Dolittle’s character and how he can communicate with animals. I don’t really think the character is able to be separated from its origin because him being able to speak with animals is what his character mainly consists of. No matter the adaptation, the character would probably stay the same because the ability to communicate with animals influences the character’s personality and adventures, which shapes the story.

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  6. Tory Sen Avatar
    Tory Sen

    I haven’t heard any other versions of Dr. Dolittle’s story, but I find this one intriguing because it’s unique and has a lot of character. One important part of the character’s personality and experiences is that he can talk to animals. It’s possible for versions to take away from the original story and make a new one. Even though things change, Dr. Dolittle’s personality and speaking skills stay the same.

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  7. Ariana Loyfman Avatar
    Ariana Loyfman

    I really enjoyed these clips about the story of Dr.Dolittle. This story seems very entertaining and funny. After watching these trailers, I am interested to watch the full films as well. I have seem similar concepts in other stories before but never these versions. I think that depending on the choices that an author or film maker make, a character can be altered from their origin but necessarily separated. Regardless of the story, if a character is being re-made, the inspiration stays the same of why that character is intriguing and special in particular. So although aspects of the character can be altered, it usually does not get separated from its origins.

    Reply
  8. Victoria Lucenti Avatar
    Victoria Lucenti

    I was honestly not familiar with these versions or Doctor Dolittle, but I do like that he is able to speak and communicate with animals, something that is simple but delicate for children to read, despite the problematic issues from original texts that are colonialist. I do think a character is able to be separated from its origin, which is why so many versions, adaptations, and inspirations come into play from recreating an origin story, however, that does not mean it will always remain sustainable for ALL origin stories. I think an origin story like this is a tad bit harder for a character to be separated as one of Doctor Dolittle’s significances to his character is the fact that he can communicate with animals. As per a story like these versions, I do not think it is entirely possible because of its backstory/history from the origin itself.

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  9. Naurah Romulus Avatar
    Naurah Romulus

    I have seen Eddie Murphy’s version plenty of times; I loved it. However, I did not know it was based on a book, let alone 15 of them! Separating a character from its origin would just change the whole dynamic of a story, so I don’t think it can be done. Having Dolittle speak to animals is the entire point of the story, so if someone wanted to change that aspect about him, they would no longer be creating Dr. Dolittle.

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  10. Kateryna Senkovych Avatar
    Kateryna Senkovych

    I am familiar with Eddie Murphy’s version and I loved it. I love the concept of this story. Robert Downey Jr.’s version is on my list of movies to watch. I think that version of the story is even more interesting. I feel like the character is not able to be separated from it’s origins because they are always based on someone. Sometimes they could have a bit different personalities but overall they are mostly the same as the original character.

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  11. Anifat Abumislimova Avatar
    Anifat Abumislimova

    I am not familiar with any of these, but it was interesting to watch both of them. It was interesting to see his communication with animals, and I think that children would love to see the movie. I will show this movie to my children.

    Reply
  12. Kaylee Pontone Avatar
    Kaylee Pontone

    I love Eddie Murphy’s movie, a childhood favorite! It was interesting to see its origin. A character can absolutely be separated from its origin if the new performance is as entertaining as Eddie Murphy’s was for kids.

    Reply
  13. Michelle Cortes Rodriguez Avatar
    Michelle Cortes Rodriguez

    If I’m being honest none of these Im familiar with. But, they look interesting and yes a character can be able to be separated from its origin.

    Reply
  14. Brittany Giler Avatar
    Brittany Giler

    The only one I’m familiar with is the Eddie Murphy movie of Doctor Dolittle, and I love those movies! I think you can try to separate from its origin by changing its context but the character’s origin will still influence their traits, behaviors, and worldview.

    Reply
  15. Emma Avatar
    Emma

    I am not familiar with Doctor Dolittle but after seeing these I do not think it would be something that would intrest me very much. I can see how being able to speak to animals would be fun and engaging for some children and they may find it fun and enjoyable to watch.

    Reply
  16. Alexa Mendez Avatar
    Alexa Mendez

    I have actually never heard of these variations but after reading it I found them to be really interesting especially when he can communicate with animals, I think these stories would be entertaining to children because of the adventure and it would be fun and enjoyable to a younger audience.

    Reply
  17. Amna Syeda Avatar
    Amna Syeda

    I’m only familiar with Robert Downey Jr.’s version of Doctor Dolittle, where he is a kind doctor who has the special ability to talk to animals. In the original stories, this unique gift allows Doctor Dolitte to communicate with all sorts of creatures, helping them with their problems. His ability to speak to animals is central to his character and drives many of his adventures, as he works to understand and assist the animals in his care.

    Reply
  18. Jaylyn Calles Avatar
    Jaylyn Calles

    Which of these were you familiar with? What do you think? Is a character able to be separated from its origin?
    I am familiar with eddie murphys dr. dolittle. I think this movie is a great movie it gives children a wide range of imagination and interpretation. Characters are able to be separated from its original.

    Reply

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