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Excerpt ​

Excerpt from Around the World in Eighty Days, by Jules Verne

by Jules Verne

Contents

CHAPTER I. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG AND PASSEPARTOUT ACCEPT EACH OTHER, THE ONE AS MASTER, THE OTHER AS MAN
CHAPTER II. IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT IS CONVINCED THAT HE HAS AT LAST FOUND HIS IDEAL
CHAPTER III. IN WHICH A CONVERSATION TAKES PLACE WHICH SEEMS LIKELY TO COST PHILEAS FOGG DEAR
CHAPTER IV. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG ASTOUNDS PASSEPARTOUT, HIS SERVANT
CHAPTER V. IN WHICH A NEW SPECIES OF FUNDS, UNKNOWN TO THE MONEYED MEN, APPEARS ON ’CHANGE
CHAPTER VI. IN WHICH FIX, THE DETECTIVE, BETRAYS A VERY NATURAL IMPATIENCE
CHAPTER VII. WHICH ONCE MORE DEMONSTRATES THE USELESSNESS OF PASSPORTS AS AIDS TO DETECTIVES
CHAPTER VIII. IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT TALKS RATHER MORE, PERHAPS, THAN IS PRUDENT
CHAPTER IX. IN WHICH THE RED SEA AND THE INDIAN OCEAN PROVE PROPITIOUS TO THE DESIGNS OF PHILEAS FOGG
CHAPTER X. IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT IS ONLY TOO GLAD TO GET OFF WITH THE LOSS OF HIS SHOES
CHAPTER XI. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG SECURES A CURIOUS MEANS OF CONVEYANCE AT A FABULOUS PRICE
CHAPTER XII. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG AND HIS COMPANIONS VENTURE ACROSS THE INDIAN FORESTS, AND WHAT ENSUED
CHAPTER XIII. IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT RECEIVES A NEW PROOF THAT FORTUNE FAVORS THE BRAVE
CHAPTER XIV. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG DESCENDS THE WHOLE LENGTH OF THE BEAUTIFUL VALLEY OF THE GANGES WITHOUT EVER THINKING OF SEEING IT
CHAPTER XV. IN WHICH THE BAG OF BANKNOTES DISGORGES SOME THOUSANDS OF POUNDS MORE
CHAPTER XVI. IN WHICH FIX DOES NOT SEEM TO UNDERSTAND IN THE LEAST WHAT IS SAID TO HIM
CHAPTER XVII. SHOWING WHAT HAPPENED ON THE VOYAGE FROM SINGAPORE TO HONG KONG
CHAPTER XVIII. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG, PASSEPARTOUT, AND FIX GO EACH ABOUT HIS BUSINESS
CHAPTER XIX. IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT TAKES A TOO GREAT INTEREST IN HIS MASTER, AND WHAT COMES OF IT
CHAPTER XX. IN WHICH FIX COMES FACE TO FACE WITH PHILEAS FOGG
CHAPTER XXI. IN WHICH THE MASTER OF THE “TANKADERE” RUNS GREAT RISK OF LOSING A REWARD OF TWO HUNDRED POUNDS
CHAPTER XXII. IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT FINDS OUT THAT, EVEN AT THE ANTIPODES, IT IS CONVENIENT TO HAVE SOME MONEY IN ONE’S POCKET
CHAPTER XXIII. IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT’S NOSE BECOMES OUTRAGEOUSLY LONG
CHAPTER XXIV. DURING WHICH MR. FOGG AND PARTY CROSS THE PACIFIC OCEAN
CHAPTER XXV. IN WHICH A SLIGHT GLIMPSE IS HAD OF SAN FRANCISCO
CHAPTER XXVI. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG AND PARTY TRAVEL BY THE PACIFIC RAILROAD
CHAPTER XXVII. IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT UNDERGOES, AT A SPEED OF TWENTY MILES AN HOUR, A COURSE OF MORMON HISTORY
CHAPTER XXVIII. IN WHICH PASSEPARTOUT DOES NOT SUCCEED IN MAKING ANYBODY LISTEN TO REASON
CHAPTER XXIX. IN WHICH CERTAIN INCIDENTS ARE NARRATED WHICH ARE ONLY TO BE MET WITH ON AMERICAN RAILROADS
CHAPTER XXX. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG SIMPLY DOES HIS DUTY
CHAPTER XXXI. IN WHICH FIX, THE DETECTIVE, CONSIDERABLY FURTHERS THE INTERESTS OF PHILEAS FOGG
CHAPTER XXXII. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG ENGAGES IN A DIRECT STRUGGLE WITH BAD FORTUNE
CHAPTER XXXIII. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG SHOWS HIMSELF EQUAL TO THE OCCASION
CHAPTER XXXIV. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG AT LAST REACHES LONDON
CHAPTER XXXV. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG DOES NOT HAVE TO REPEAT HIS ORDERS TO PASSEPARTOUT TWICE
CHAPTER XXXVI. IN WHICH PHILEAS FOGG’S NAME IS ONCE MORE AT A PREMIUM ON ’CHANGE
CHAPTER XXXVII. IN WHICH IT IS SHOWN THAT PHILEAS FOGG GAINED NOTHING BY HIS TOUR AROUND THE WORLD, UNLESS IT WERE HAPPINESS

Explanation ​

Detailed Analysis of Around the World in Eighty Days (1873) by Jules Verne ​

(Focus on Themes, Context, Literary Devices, and Significance of the Excerpted Chapters)

I. Context and Background ​

Author: Jules Verne (1828–1905) ​

  • A French novelist, poet, and playwright, Verne is considered one of the fathers of science fiction and a pioneer of the adventure novel.
  • His works, part of the Voyages Extraordinaires series, blend scientific speculation, exploration, and technological innovation with gripping narratives.
  • Around the World in Eighty Days (1873) was serialized in Le Temps before being published as a novel. It reflects the optimism of the Industrial Revolution, the expansion of global travel, and the Victorian fascination with time, precision, and empire.

Historical and Cultural Context ​

  1. The Victorian Era (1837–1901):

    • A period of rapid industrialization, colonial expansion, and technological progress (railroads, steamships, telegraphs).
    • The British Empire was at its height, and global travel was becoming more accessible (though still arduous).
    • The cult of gentlemanly behavior and stoicism (embodied by Phileas Fogg) was idealized.

  2. The Suez Canal (1869) and the Transcontinental Railroad (1869):

    • The novel was written shortly after these engineering marvels connected Europe to Asia and the U.S. coast-to-coast, making a global journey plausible.
    • Verne’s story celebrates human ingenuity while also highlighting the chaos and unpredictability of travel.

  3. The Wager as a Literary Device:

    • The £20,000 bet (equivalent to ~£2 million today) reflects the Victorian obsession with gambling, honor, and public reputation.
    • The Reform Club, where the wager is made, was a real London gentlemen’s club, symbolizing elite masculinity and rationalism.

II. Summary of the Excerpted Chapters (I–XXXVII) ​

The novel follows Phileas Fogg, a wealthy, meticulous Englishman, who wagers he can circumnavigate the globe in 80 days (a feat considered nearly impossible in 1872). Accompanied by his French valet Passepartout and pursued by Detective Fix (who suspects him of a bank robbery), Fogg faces delays, cultural misunderstandings, and natural obstacles—yet remains unshakably calm.

Key Plot Points in the Excerpt: ​

  • Chapter I: Fogg hires Passepartout, a cheerful, adaptable Frenchman, after his previous valet was dismissed for bringing him shaving water at 84°F instead of 86°F (showing Fogg’s obsession with precision).
  • Chapter IV: Fogg shocks Passepartout by announcing their global journey, revealing his methodical, unemotional nature.
  • Chapter VI: Detective Fix is introduced, believing Fogg is the bank robber he’s been tracking. His pursuit adds suspense and irony (since Fogg is innocent).
  • Chapters IX–XIV: The duo travels through Egypt, India, and Singapore, facing cultural clashes, transportation mishaps, and Passepartout’s comedic blunders (e.g., losing his shoes in a temple).
  • Chapter XXI: Fogg rescues Aouda, a young Indian widow, from sati (ritual sacrifice), introducing a moral and romantic subplot.
  • Chapters XXV–XXIX: In America, they encounter Mormons, buffalo hunts, and a collapsing bridge, showcasing Verne’s satirical take on American frontier culture.
  • Chapter XXX: Fogg saves passengers from a Sioux attack, demonstrating his hidden heroism beneath his stoic exterior.
  • Chapter XXXVII: Fogg returns to London just in time, wins the bet, and marries Aouda, suggesting that his real reward was love and happiness, not money.

III. Major Themes ​

1. Time, Precision, and Modernity ​

  • Fogg’s obsession with schedules (trains, steamships, exact times) reflects the Victorian era’s faith in progress and mechanical precision.
  • The 80-day deadline is a metaphor for the race against time in an increasingly fast-paced world.
  • Irony: Despite Fogg’s rigid planning, unpredictable events (storms, arrests, cultural barriers) constantly disrupt his journey, suggesting that life cannot be fully controlled.

2. Colonialism and the "Other" ​

  • The novel romanticizes British imperialism, portraying the world as accessible to European travelers (often ignoring the struggles of colonized peoples).
  • Stereotypes abound:
    • India is exotic but backward (e.g., the sati scene).
    • America is wild and chaotic (train robberies, Mormon polygamy).
    • China and Japan are mysterious but civilized.
  • Critique: Verne does not deeply challenge colonialism, but the absurdity of Fogg’s journey (e.g., not even looking at the Taj Mahal) satirizes the tourist’s detachment from the cultures he passes through.

3. Fate vs. Free Will ​

  • Fogg believes in rational control, but the novel suggests luck (good and bad) plays a huge role.
    • Fortune favors the brave: Passepartout’s impulsiveness often saves them (e.g., finding an elephant in India).
    • Fix’s interference (arresting Fogg in Liverpool) nearly costs them the bet, but Aouda’s quick thinking saves the day.
  • The final twist (Fogg thinks he’s lost but has actually gained a day by traveling eastward) reinforces that destiny is unpredictable.

4. The Duality of Human Nature ​

  • Fogg: Appears cold and mechanical, but secretly heroic (saving Aouda, fighting Sioux attackers).
  • Passepartout: Loyal but reckless, providing comic relief but also humanizing Fogg.
  • Fix: Duty-bound but misguided, his obsession with the law blinds him to Fogg’s innocence.

5. The Meaning of Wealth and Happiness ​

  • Fogg bets his fortune but ultimately gains love (Aouda) and friendship (Passepartout’s loyalty).
  • The final chapter suggests that money is meaningless compared to human connections.

IV. Literary Devices ​

1. Irony ​

  • Situational Irony:
    • Fogg travels the world but sees nothing (e.g., sleeping through the Taj Mahal).
    • He thinks he’s lost the bet but has actually gained a day.
  • Dramatic Irony:
    • The reader knows Fix is wrong about Fogg, but Fix persists in his pursuit.

2. Symbolism ​

  • The Globe: Represents human ambition, exploration, and the shrinking world due to technology.
  • The Pocket Watch: Symbolizes Fogg’s rigidity and the Victorian obsession with time.
  • The Elephant (Kiouni): Represents adaptability—Fogg buys it at an exorbitant price, showing how money solves problems in a colonial world.

3. Foreshadowing ​

  • Fogg’s calm demeanor foreshadows his heroism in crises (e.g., saving Aouda).
  • Passepartout’s early blunders (like losing his shoes) foreshadow his later resourcefulness.

4. Satire & Humor ​

  • Passepartout’s mishaps (e.g., getting drunk on opium in China, joining a Mormon meeting) mock cultural ignorance.
  • The Reform Club members represent stuffy, overly rational Victorian elitism.
  • The American railroad scenes satirize the chaos of the "Wild West."

5. Juxtaposition ​

  • Fogg’s stoicism vs. Passepartout’s emotionality.
  • Fix’s suspicion vs. Fogg’s innocence.
  • Technological progress (trains, steamships) vs. natural obstacles (storms, bandits).

V. Significance and Legacy ​

1. Influence on Adventure & Sci-Fi Literature ​

  • Verne’s meticulous research (he studied train schedules, steamship routes) set a standard for realistic speculative fiction.
  • The race-against-time plot influenced later works like The Time Machine (H.G. Wells) and Indiana Jones.

2. Reflection of 19th-Century Globalization ​

  • The novel captures the excitement and anxieties of a shrinking world due to industrialization and colonialism.
  • It glorifies British empire but also exposes its absurdities (e.g., Fogg’s detachment from the cultures he exploits).

3. Phileas Fogg as a Cultural Icon ​

  • Fogg is the archetype of the "gentleman adventurer"—calm, precise, and unexpectedly heroic.
  • His lack of emotional expression makes him an enigma, inviting readers to question what truly motivates him (is it the bet, the challenge, or something deeper?).

4. Adaptations and Pop Culture ​

  • Films: The 1956 classic (starring David Niven) and 2004’s Around the World in 80 Days (Jackie Chan).
  • TV & Games: Multiple animated versions, video games, and even a BBC radio drama.
  • Modern References: The 80-day challenge is now a metaphor for ambitious journeys (e.g., travel shows, speedrunning).

VI. Critical Reception & Controversies ​

1. Praise ​

  • Celebrated for its fast-paced plot, humor, and imaginative scope.
  • Verne’s predictions of future travel (e.g., the Suez Canal’s importance) were remarkably accurate.

2. Criticisms ​

  • Orientalism: The novel reinforces stereotypes of non-Western cultures (e.g., "savage" Indians, "mysterious" Asians).
  • Lack of Depth in Characters: Some argue Fogg and Passepartout are more symbols than fully developed personalities.
  • Colonial Blind Spots: Verne does not critique imperialism—the world is treated as a playground for Europeans.

VII. Conclusion: Why the Novel Endures ​

Around the World in Eighty Days remains a timeless adventure because it:

  1. Celebrates human ingenuity while acknowledging life’s unpredictability.
  2. Blends excitement with satire, making it both thrilling and thought-provoking.
  3. Explores universal themes—time, fate, love, and the search for meaning—in an accessible, entertaining way.

Verne’s masterpiece is more than a travelogue; it’s a meditation on what it means to truly experience the world—not just as a tourist, but as a human being shaped by chance, courage, and connection.

Final Thought: ​

Fogg’s journey is not just about circling the globe in 80 days, but about discovering that the real voyage is internal—learning flexibility, compassion, and the value of the unexpected. In the end, the greatest reward isn’t the bet, but the people he meets along the way.