Character Analysis
Doc is Peekay's best friend and teacher, an orderly, scientific, and very dependable guy. He gives hope, structure, and sanity to Peekay in a crazy world full of bullies, a family that moves without even telling him, and a Mom who has nervous breakdowns and becomes fervently religious. He is a meticulous scientist and a world-class musician, and teaches Peekay the value of knowledge.
Doc is an outsider, kind of like Peekay, because he is a German living in South Africa. He lives alone, and his relationships all seem to be mostly based on intellect, not emotion. His difference gets him into trouble, but he takes his imprisonment during the war in stride. We're not sure we could stay so composed if we were thrown in jail indefinitely…
The only death in the novel that isn't violent and premature is Doc's, and his decision to go off and die in the crystal cave of Africa is a good example of the independent spirit that he taught Peekay to have. In his farewell note he writes to Peekay,
I am such dummkopf. But not such dummkopf that I don't let you be my friend. For this I am having eleven out of ten. I must go into the crystal cave of Africa now. You must not follow until it is your time also. Maybe in one hundred thousand years we will meet again.
Good-bye, Mr. Schmarty-Pants welterweight champion of the world.
Your friend,
Doc. (22.25)
This letter is a great example of everything wonderful about Doc. Like his sense of humor, calling himself a dummkopf or "dumb head." But through the humor he sneaks in how much he loves Peekay, and gives himself extra credit (more humor!). And of course, the fact that he hid this letter in a bottle buried in a crack on a mountain reflects both his sense of adventure and how much he trusts Peekay, knowing that he'll find the letter and get his goodbye in.