SETTING
While the narrative begins in London, the theme of the novel is such that the settings change continuously. Mr. Phileas Fogg attempts to go around the world in eighty days and so he covers the major points across the globe Paris¸ Suez, Bombay, Calcutta, Singapore, Hong-Kong, Yokohama, San Francisco, New York, Liverpool and then back to London. Apart from these major places Fogg also meets adventures in route.
As the train from Bombay to Calcutta stops a little beyond Lothal, Fogg and his companions travel to Allahabad on elephants. Later, when the travelers are in America and are attacked by the Sioux, they disembark at Fort Kearney station. Fogg even goes deep into American land in order to rescue Passepartout. Thus the characters in the novel go across the whole globe and see many other places. The setting of the novel is nearly the whole world!
LIST OF CHARACTERS
Major Characters
Phileas Fogg
The hero and chief protagonist in the novel. He is introduced to us as a prudent Englishman whose wealth is a source of mystery to all. He is challenged by a fellow gambler to go around the world in eighty days and he takes up the challenge. His rationality, calmness, generosity and self-control impress the readers.
Passepartout
He appears in the initial stage of the novel itself, as the newly employed French valet of Mr. Fogg. He is an honest as well as a comic French man, who is loyal to his master and yet gets into situations that hinder his master’s plans to travel around the world. Passepartout endears himself to the reader with his warmth, his sense of humor and his ability to act bravely as well as comically.
Detective Fix
There is a major bank robbery in England around the same time that Fogg leaves for his journey round the world. Detective Fix is one of the many other detectives who seek to find the culprit so they can get a percentage of the stolen money as an award. He comes to the wrong conclusion that Fogg is the bank robber and is merely pretending to go around the world when his real purpose is to flee the law.
Aouda
Aouda is a Parsee Indian princess who is orphaned at an early age. She is made to marry an old Rajah and when he dies, fanatical Hindus try & force her to commit the sacrifice of her life. She is rescued by Fogg’s group. She goes back with them to England, as she is unable to find her relative in Hong Kong.
Minor
James Foster
We get only one mention of him in the first chapter. He had been a servant of Fogg’s, but Fogg had dismissed him because he had committed the minor offence of bringing the shaving water at the wrong temperature.
Phileas Fogg’s Partners at Whist
The engineer Andrew Stuart, the bankers John Sullinan & Samuel Fallentin, the brewer Thomas Flanagan and Gauthier Ralph and one of the governors of the Bank of England are Fogg’s partners at the Reform club. It is one of them that challenges Fogg to go around the world in eighty days.
Lord Albemarle
The whole of England gets involved in the speculation as to whether Fogg will be able to complete his journey in 80 days while most feel that he will be unsuccessful, one single supporter remains faithful to Fogg, an old paralytic Lord Albermarle.
British Consul at Suez
He waits along with detective Fix for the boat Mongolia to arrive at Suez. Daily, he would see English ships pass through the canal. The detective tells the consul that they must try and detain Fogg here, but the consul cannot do that lawfully and so doesn't.
Whist Partners on the Mongolia
While Fogg is on board the Mongolia ship to Bombay he finds whist players as enthusiastic as himself. These are-a clergyman the Reverend Decimus Smith, a collector of taxes and a brigadier general of the English Army. Later the brigadier general Sir Francis Cromarty also accompanies Fogg from Bombay to Calcutta.
Chief of Bombay Police
Fix tries to induce the chief of the Bombay police to give him a warrant for Fogg’s arrest. This the chief of police would not do as the case concerned the London police, which alone was empowered by law to issue a warrant.
The Guard on the train to Calcutta
When Fogg, Cromarty & Fix are travelling from Bombay to Calcutta by train it suddenly stops in the wilderness. They question the guard on this and it is he, who tells them that the rail has not been laid from this Kholby hamlet to Allahabad and so the passengers will have to arrange for their own means of transport.
The Indian Owner of an elephant
Fogg approaches an Indian to hire an elephant so that they can ride on it to Allahabad. The Indian refuses to hire out the elephant, so it is eventually bought at a very exorbitant price.
Parsee Guide
A bright looking young Parsee, offers to be the guide on the elephant which will take the travelers to Allahabad. He is a brave and intelligent man and does his job well in conveying the passengers swiftly to Allahabad.
Procession Of priests & fanatics
While Fogg and his companions are traveling on a elephant to Allahabad they pass by a procession of priests and fanatics. These Hindus are forcibly taking a young princess along with them so that she may commit ‘suttee’ (sacrifice on her husband’s pyre). Later Fogg is able to make a fool of this procession by escaping with Aouda.
Judge Obadiah
As soon as Fogg is leaves the Calcutta station, a policeman takes him away to court. Judge Obadiah, a rotund looking man presides over this court and over the case of Passeparrtout, who is charged with committing sacrilege by entering a holy place in Bombay with his shoes on.
Cousin Jeizeh
He is a cousin of Sir James Jejeebhoy and is also related to Aouda. She hopes to get help from this cousin who is based in Hong Kong. But on reaching Hong Kong, Fogg and Aouda find out that he has shifted to another country after making a lot of money.
The pilot on the Rangoon
He is a sailor on the ship and he is the one who steers the ship into Hong Kong harbor. It is this pilot who informs Fogg that since the Carnatic has postponed its departure for Yokohama Fogg can board it.
John Bunsby
He is the master of the boat Tankadere, on which Fogg, Fix and Aouda travel. John is a skilled sailor who takes the trio from Hong Kong to Shanghai so that Fogg is able to board the San Francisco boat.
William Batulcar
He is the manager of a troupe of buffoons, jugglers, clowns, acrobats and gymnasts who were going to give their last performance at Yokohama before leaving for America. Passepartout takes up employment with this troupe in order to be able to leave for America with them.
Minor Characters (continued)
Colonel Stamp Proctor
At San Francisco Fogg, Fix and Aouda find themselves in Montgomery Street, which is crowded, by the members of two opposing political parties. The opposing members become violent and Fogg’s group is caught in between.
A huge fellow with a red goatee, a ruddy complexion and broad shoulders, raises his fist over Mr. Fogg. Fogg is very angry and later these two men even resort to dueling.
Elder William Hitch Mormon missionary
A priest boards the train from San Francisco to New York at Elko Station. He is a Mormon missionary, who gives a lecture on Mormonism in Car no. 117 of the train.
Forster
He is the engine driver of the train bound for New York. When the train stops before Medicine Bow Bridge, which is shaky, it is Forster who suggests a way of getting over. His idea is to take the train over the bridge at a very high speed, which will enable it to pass over.
The guard
Fogg and Colonel Proctor decide to perform a duel on one of the platforms where the train to New York stops. But they are stopped by the guard as the train isn’t stopping there. It is this guard who suggests that they fight aboard the train itself.
The Sioux
These are bold Indians who often attack the trains running across the American continent. A band of Sioux attacks the New York bound train. They are armed with guns and a fierce battle ensues between the passengers and the Sioux.
Fort Kearney Captain
The Captain in command of Fort Kearney meets Fogg. Fogg insists that the Captain allow some of his soldiers to come with him in order to rescue three passengers who are captured by the Sioux. The captain agrees eventually as he is impressed by Fogg’s gallantry.
Driver & Stoker of the train
These two are injured by the Sioux, who attack the New York bound train. As the engine is separated from the train they travel in it in an insensible condition till they recover consciousness. Eventually they both turn the engine back to Kearney station.
Mudge
An American at Fort Kearney station, offers to transport Fogg and group on a sledge to Omaha station. This skipper of a land craft manages to transfer the group safely to Omaha station in a few hours.
Andrew Speedy
He is the captain of the trading vessel Henrietta, a man of fifty, a sort of sea dog with a growl. He agrees to take Fogg and his companions to Bordeaux but Fogg hijacks the boat and decides to take it to Liverpool instead. The boat finally reaches Queenstown, an Irish port.
Clergyman (Reverend Samuel Wilson)
When Aouda and Fogg decide to get married Passepartout is sent to the clergyman. After meeting the parson he realizes that the next day is not Monday but Sunday. Both Fogg and Passepartout had not realized that they had reached England a full day earlier. The clergyman then is a source of luck.
Summary
Mr. Phileas Fogg lived at No. 7, Savile Row, Burlington Gardens. He was one of the most noticeable members of the Reform Club, about who little was known, except that he was a polished man of the world. Little was known of his history and his source of wealth. Many conjectured as to the nature of his past. It was likely that he had traveled a great deal though it was certain that he had not absented himself from London for many years. The first part of the first chapter is primarily devoted to the description of Mr. Fogg and his activities. His activities are described as being those of a meticulous man, highly organized, punctual and habitual.
When he breakfasted or dined all the resources of the club--its kitchens and pantries, its buttery and dairy--aided to crowd his table with their most succulent stores; he was served by the gravest waiters, in the best possible way. The mansion in Savile Row was exceedingly comfortable. The habits of its occupant demanded but little from the sole domestic, but Phileas Fogg required him to be superhumanly prompt and regular. He had dismissed James Forster, because that luckless youth had brought him shaving-water at a slightly different temperature than required. Passepartout had come for a job to Phileas Fogg and hoped to become the next valet. Mr. Fogg and Mr. Passepartout meet and finalize the nature of the services that Passepartout shall perform for Mr. Fogg. Mr. Passepartout is hired as a valet. Phileas Fogg then went off without a word. Passepartout heard the street door shut twice after his master and the previous servant left. Passepartout then remained alone in the house in Savile Row.
Notes
Jules Verne places the story on a particular date of 1872. There are no words wasted on unnecessary descriptions and Savile Row and its resident are immediately described in great detail. In the very first chapter, we are made to completely understand the nature of the hero of the story - Phileas Fogg. Though he seemed always to avoid attracting attention; he attracted a lot of it and he came across as an enigmatical personage. In Jules Verne’s own language: " People said that he resembled Byron--at least that his head was Byronic; but he was a bearded, tranquil Byron, who might live on a thousand years without growing old".
Certainly an Englishman, it was more doubtful whether Phileas Fogg was a Londoner. He was never seen on ‘Change, nor at the Bank, nor in the counting-rooms of the "City"; no ships ever came into London docks of which he was the owner; he had no public employment; he had never been entered at any of the Inns of Court, either at the Temple, or Lincoln’s Inn, or Gray’s Inn; nor had his voice ever resounded in the Court of Chancery, or in the Exchequer, or the Queen’s Bench, or the Ecclesiastical Courts'. He certainly was not a manufacturer; nor was he a merchant or a gentleman farmer. His name was strange to the scientific and learned societies, and he never was known to take part in the sage deliberations of the Royal Institution or the London Institution, the Artisan’s Association, or the Institution of Arts and Sciences. All that was known about him was that he was a member of the Reform Club. The way in which he got admission to this exclusive club was simple enough. The Barings, with whom he had an open credit, recommended him.
The narrator also comments on the state of things using the third person dialogue. He writes - " Was Phileas Fogg rich? Undoubtedly. But those who knew him best could not imagine how he had made his fortune, and Mr. Fogg was the last person to whom to apply for the information." Thus, while he presents dialogue between the characters as it might have really happened, he also controls the characters with his third person omniscience. The author most definitely likes his hero who is made to fit the heroic mode quite well. Phileas Fogg, in Mr. Verne’s words - " was not lavish, nor, on the contrary, avaricious; for, whenever he knew that money was needed for a noble, useful, or benevolent purpose, he supplied it quietly and sometimes anonymously."
Mr. Verne also describes the effect that Phileas Fogg had on others. Thus, the hero is placed against the larger canvas of the society and that is important for any complete and panoramic novel. This is how Phileas must have seemed to others - " He was, in short, the least communicative of men. He talked very little, and seemed all the more mysterious for his taciturn manner. His daily habits were quite open to observation; but whatever he did was so exactly the same thing that he had always done before, that the wits of the curious were fairly puzzled." The author seems to be satirizing the usual society of London who found it difficult to understand exceptional characters such as Phileas and were enamoured by them.
The main theme of the novel - the journey of the hero around the world also finds a place within the first chapter itself. Reference is made to the hero’s knowledge of the world around him - "No one seemed to know the world more familiarly; there was no spot so secluded that he did not appear to have an intimate acquaintance with it. He often corrected, with a few clear words, the thousand conjectures advanced by members of the club as to lost and unheard-of travelers, pointing out the true probabilities, and seeming as if gifted with a sort of second sight, so often did events justify his predictions. He must have traveled everywhere, at least in the spirit."
Those who were honored by a better acquaintance with Mr. Fogg than the rest declared that nobody could pretend to have ever seen him anywhere else. His sole pastimes were reading the papers and playing cards. He often won at this game, which, as a silent one, harmonized with his nature; but his winnings never went into his purse, being reserved as a fund for his charities. Mr. Fogg played, not to win, but for the sake of playing. The game was in his eyes a contest, a struggle with a difficulty, yet a motionless, unwavering struggle, congenial to his tastes. Indeed, the reader does start looking forward to reading more about a heroic and noble person such as he. In the main part of the book, we shall see how the game of whist is replaced by the game of going around the world in eighty days. Both endeavors require a determined will, which Mr. Fogg has in plenty.
The description of Mr. Fogg’s daily activities incites curiosity. He breakfasted and dined at the club, at hours mathematically fixed, in the same room, at the same table, never taking his meals with other members, much less bringing a guest with him; and went home at exactly midnight, only to retire at once to bed. He never used the cozy chambers, which the Reform provides for its favored members. He passed ten hours out of the twenty-four in Saville Row, either in sleeping or making his toilet. When he chose to take a walk it was with a regular step in the entrance hall with its mosaic flooring, or in the circular gallery with its dome supported by twenty red porphyry Ionic columns, and illumined by blue painted windows. Our hero seems to lead a meticulous existence but we shall see how all the meticulousness shall be replaced instead by a mad dashing around the world.
In the first chapter, we are also introduced to Mr. Passepartout, who is the second most important character in the novel. While he too is an honest and orderly man, there is a sense of clumsiness around him and he has apparently had a more adventurous, colorful life than his master. As he himself says, - " I believe I’m honest, monsieur, but, to be outspoken, I’ve had several trades. I’ve been an itinerant singer, a circus-rider, when I used to vault like Leotard, and dance on a rope like Blondin. Then I got to be a professor of gymnastics, so as to make better use of my talents; and then I was a sergeant fireman at Paris, and assisted at many a big fire. But I quitted France five years ago, and, wishing to taste the sweets of domestic life, took service as a valet here in England." He has good references and it seems that Mr. Fogg appreciates honesty, as Mr. Passepartout is given the job immediately. We shall soon see how Mr. Fogg and Mr. Passepartout make an excellent, entertaining pair.
CONFLICT
Protagonist
The protagonist is none other than Mr. Fogg. He is a British gentleman residing in Saville Row at the Reform Club and leads an extremely well regulated life. But when he is challenged to go around the world in eighty days, he accepts the challenge and thus puts himself in a conflicting situation. He is the man who initiates the entire adventure of the novel, the ‘hero’ who finally overcomes all the obstacles in his path. The novel revolves around his efforts to jump from train to ship in order to traverse the world in the quickest way possible.
Fogg is also the hero/protagonist because of his heroic traits-he is calm, unruffled, gallant and large-hearted. He is rational on most occasions and it is only a person such as him who would be able to succeed in a difficult task. In this novel, the protagonist does not have to develop as a human being. But his challenge is whether he can overcome mistakes and the unpredictability of Fate, to succeed in a human enterprise. There is some development in his character as he grows to love a woman who becomes the center of his life, after the triumphant completion of his adventure. While there are other companions with him in his travels it is the exacting Fogg, who sets the ball of the story rolling and who is the undisputed and admirable protagonist of the story.
Antagonist
The protagonist resolves to travel around the world in eighty days and there is one antagonist that stops him in his endeavor. There are many antagonistic situations and antagonistic persons though.
Phileas Fogg is challenged by a group of whist players to go around the world in eighty days. While these players foresee the antagonistic situations that Fogg might have to face they are not antagonists themselves. They do not bodily or physically oppose Fogg’s plans though they mentally and psychologically hope that he does not win.
While Fix, the detective’s character may stake a claim to being the antagonist it does not succeed in its proclamation. Fix often blocks Fogg’s progress around the world but he is not the sole source of antagonism. He suspects that Fogg is a major bank robber and tries to retain Fogg in English ruled ports so that he may arrest the traveler. It is Fix who arrests Fogg at Liverpool thereby detaining him. But despite all of Fix’s villainous efforts, he is not the sole antagonist of the story.
Fogg is opposed by forces that can be ultimately traced in FATE, NATURE and HUMAN FRAILTY. When he is travelling by train to Calcutta he, as well as, the other passengers find out that the rail has not been completed. They have to arrange for their other transport from Kholby to Allahabad. Fogg hires an elephant but his own large heartedness demands that he breaks the elephant journey to rescue a princess. Because of such delays Fogg loses the two days that he had gained. Later storms at sea delay his journey. At another occasion he misses boarding his ship, as Passepartout does not inform his master that the departure of the ship had been postponed. Passepartout had been conned into drunkenness by Fix. Situations such as these abound in Fogg’s journey and prove to be antagonistic. When Fogg is traveling to New York by train the Sioux attacks them. The ensuing fight too takes away precious time from Fogg’s strict schedule.
Thus the protagonist Fogg faces antagonistic situations that oppose the discipline of his journey but at the same time, he is not shown as waging a war against a single antagonist.
Climax
The climax of the story takes place in the 36 th chapter when everyone at the Reform Club, especially the challengers, are waiting for Fogg to make his appearance. Surprisingly, Fogg does reach the drawing room of the club at 8:45 p.m. This comes as a big shock to the readers as we had read in the previous chapter that Fogg had reached London late and that he was quietly residing at his house at Saville Row. To now learn that Fogg does win the wager surprises us. This is a climactic moment as it is the fulfillment of the aim behind Fogg’s entire endeavor. More than that, it fills the readers with suspense and curiosity as to the appearance of Fogg on Saturday, December 21st, at the predetermined time. We had all read that he hadn’t managed to make it and then when we see that he wins the wager, we are completely taken aback.
The mystery of Fogg’s appearance at the club is solved in the next chapter that is the 37 th of the book, but the climax is undoubtedly in the 36 th chapter. This eventful chapter starts with the description of the excitement that pervades England as a result of the resumption of betting on Fogg’s proposed effort to travel around the world in eighty days. The interest in Fogg is regenerated when England learns that Fogg was wrongly suspected of the robbery and that he is actually quite innocent.
The chapter goes on to describe the crowd that assembles around the club on Saturday evening, the day on which it will be decided whether Fogg wins or loses the wager. The reader assumes that this chapter describes a day in the past a day when Fogg is disappointed because he has been defeated in his endeavor. His fellow whist players discuss whether Fogg will be able to make it on time and they are quite sure that he won’t because there has been no news of his travels in a long time. Stuart is convinced that Fogg has lost because Fogg’s name was not on the passenger list of the China; the only liner he could have come by soon enough from New York to Liverpool.
Towards the end of the chapter the countdown begins from 8:40 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. the whist players are quite excited as they count the seconds before it is 8:45 p.m. And at the fifty-seventh second of 8:44 p.m., Fogg opens the door of the room and comes in saying in a calm voice ‘Here I am, gentlemen’. The climax, which had started building with the description of the Saturday evening, reaches, it’s ultimate zenith when Fogg walks in calmly. For all practical purposes Fogg was a winner and the purpose around which the story had revolved, is reached Fogg’s words - ‘Here I am gentlemen’ constitute the climax of the story.
Outcome
In the 37 th chapter, which is also the last, the outcome of the story is described. The author here explains how Fogg did manage to win the wager and how he had been mistaken himself about the time of his arrival at England we are told that Passepartout was sent to the parson and that he came back running to his master. He tells Fogg in an excited manner that the marriage cannot take place the next day because it is a Sunday. Fogg refuses to believe, as he is sure that the next day is a Monday. It is then that he realizes that he has made a mistake of a day! In actuality, Fogg had reached a day before but now he only has ten minutes to reach the Club in time. Fogg jumps into a cab and manages to make it in time, as we have seen in the previous chapter.
We now learn what happens after Fogg has won the wager. Though he had won the twenty thousand pounds, since he had spent something like nineteen thousand on the way, the proceeds were small. The thousand pounds that remained are divided between the worthy Passepartout and the luckless Fix, to whom Fogg could not find it in his heart to bear any grudge.
Aouda and Fogg pledge their love for each other and are married forty-eight hours after Fogg wins the wager. The morning after Fogg is married, he tells Passepartout that he is glad that they went through India as this is how he managed to meet the love of his life, Aouda. The last paragraph of the book questions what Fogg has gained through the journey around the world. We are told that Fogg gains nothing, "but a charming woman who unlikely as it may appear made him the happiest of men!"
So, Fogg gains much more than the ‘sense of achievement’ and the ‘wager’ he gets a wife and wins love which eventually make him even more happy as a man. Passepartout remains loyal to his master and it is he who gives the bride away at the marriage. His enthusiasm about the possibility of the journey being completed in seventy-eight days is very inspiring and yet another proof of his loyalty for his master.
Indeed the reader is very happy to see that all’s well that ends well our hero Fogg has proved that rationality and calmness can do wonders and we are completely on his side!
Route Travel Method Duration
London / Suez rail and ship 7 days
Suez / Bombay ship 13 days
Bombay / Calcutta rail and elephant 3 days
Calcutta / Hong Kong ship 13 days
Hong Kong / Yokohama ship 6 days
Yokohama / San Francisco ship 22 days
San Francisco / New York rail 7 days
New York / London ship 9 days
Total 80 days
.
THEMES
Major Themes
The main theme of the novel can be ascertained from the topic of the book ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’. Phileas Fogg, a stern and disciplined man claims that it is possible to go around the world in eighty days. He is challenged to accomplish this feat himself. Thus the major theme is the possibility/probability of going around the globe in eighty days. Fogg manages to prove that it is possible despite all odds.
Another major theme is whether Fogg is a bank robber, as detective Fix claims. Fix makes his appearance in Chapter Five and continues to stay throughout the novel. He is one of the many detectives who are determined to find the robber who has robbed the Bank of England. He becomes suspicious of Fogg who looks as a thorough gentleman and is going around the world in a great hurry. Fix follows Fogg from Suez, all over the world till Liverpool. After befriending Passepartout he tells the servant about his suspicious regarding Fogg. The doubt as to whether Fogg is a culprit or not is a major theme of the book.
Related to the theme of Fogg's journey around the world is the other major theme, of the development in Fogg’s character. He is very punctual, calm, collected, wise and large hearted. Through the initial part of the novel, he comes across as a very cold and calculating man. One cannot expect much emotion from him but there is development in his character traits, as we shall see. His sole purpose is to go around the world but we see how he changes his plans just so that he & his company can try and save the Indian Princess Aouda: he seems cold but is really not. This development in his character is a major focus of the book. We learn at the end of the novel that this major achievement is not only that of going around the world successfully in eighty days, but the fact that he wins a warm and abiding love in the person of Aouda.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION - BIOGRAPHY
Author Information/Biography
Jules Verne's whole life was spent either writing or preparing for it. Jules Gabriel Verne was born in Nantes, France in 1828. Born as the second child of four, in a middle class Nantes family, his schooldays were reasonably successful without being brilliant. Jules’ parents belonged to the seafaring tradition, a factor that greatly influenced his writings. When very young, he ran off to be a cabin boy on a merchant ship, but was caught and had to return to his parents. Verne went to school from 1834 - 1838, where his teacher was the widow of a sea captain, and she kept waiting for her husband’s return.
He was in college from 1838 - 1842 where he performed well in geography, singing and in translations from Greek and Latin. Between 1841 - 1846, Verne started writing short prose pieces. In 1847, Jules was sent to study law in Paris. His cousin, Caroline Tronson with whom he had been unhappily in love for several years, got engaged. His passion for theatre grew, while he was there. He wrote a play called Alexandre VI. In 1848, there was a revolution in Paris and Verne was present in the July disturbances. His uncle introduced him into literary salons where he met novelists such as Dumas.
Later in 1850, this budding author’s first play was published. His father was outraged when he heard that Jules was not going to continue law and discontinued the money he was giving him to pay for his expenses in Paris.
In 1850, his one act comedy Les Pailles rompues (‘Broken Straws’) ran for twelve nights at Dumas’s Theatre historique, and was published. Verne started making money by selling his stories, which included ‘A Drama in Mexico’ and ‘Drama in the Air’. Between 1852 -1855, he became secretary of Theatre lyrique.
In 1857 this talented writer married Honorine and became a stockbroker in Paris. He moved his house several times. In 1859, still living in cramped conditions in the Latin Quarter, but now with his pregnant wife and two stepdaughters, he was invited by a friend on a free trip to Scotland and England. He was delighted by his visit and was greatly marked by the experience. A son was born to him in 1861 and in 1862 he went to Norway and Denmark with Hignard.
After spending many hours in Paris libraries studying geology, engineering, and astronomy, Jules Verne published his first novel Five Weeks in a Balloon in 1863, which was an immediate success. His publisher was quite impressed and from that point on, Verne’s livelihood was guaranteed by successively more lucrative contracts, although requiring him to produce between one and two books each year. In 1867, there was the first English translation of his novel. Soon, he started writing novels such as Journey to the Center of the Earth, From the Earth to the Moon, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Because of the popularity of these and other novels, Jules Verne became a very rich man. He wrote steadily - often he would be changing the published serial version of one novel while correcting the proofs of another, writing the manuscript of yet another, and planning the extensive reading required for a fourth.
In 1871 Jules’s father died and between 1876-77 he bought his second and third boats and even organized a huge fancy dress ball. His marriage was not totally happy; and he seems to have had mistresses. His wife was critically ill that year but recovered. In 1876, he bought a large yacht and sailed around Europe. In 1877, Verne sailed to Lisbon and Algiers.
His son Michel married an actress in 1879, despite the opposition of his father. In 1883-84, Verne left with his wife on a grand tour of the Mediterranean. In 1888 he was elected local councilor on a Republican list and for the next fifteen years, he attended council meetings, administrated theatres and fairs and gave public talks. In 1895 he wrote his first novel in a European language in the present tense and third person. After 1897 his health deteriorated.
In 1905 he fell seriously ill from diabetes and died in the city of Amines. On Verne’s death, The Invasion of the Sea and The Lighthouse at the end of the World were in the course of publication. Michel, his son then took responsibility for the remaining manuscripts and published them later.
It was only in 1978 that it was discovered that the Jules Verne books that appeared posthumously had a major part of their writing done by Michel. This came as a surprise to many. The simplicity of Verne’s life seems to be in opposition to the complexity of his works
CHAPTER SUMMARY AND NOTES
CHAPTER 37
Summary
In this chapter it is explained how Phileas Fogg happened to make it on time to the Reform Club. We are taken back to the time when Passepartout is asked to arrange for Fogg and Aouda’s marriage. When he goes to meet the clergyman, he realizes that the marriage cannot take place the next day, because it is a Sunday. It is not a Monday, as Fogg, Aouda and Passepartout think. They learn that they have made a mistake of a day and that they had reached London, twenty-four hours before time. Passepartout runs to his master and pulls him from the house, in order to send him to the Club on time. Fogg manages to reach the Club at the stipulated time. We are then told how the mistake of a day was made. It was to do with Fogg having gained time while traveling eastward. Fogg does not have much money left though. The thousand pounds that remained, he divided between Passepartout and Fix. Aouda and Fogg get married the day after the marriage Passepartout tells Fogg excitedly that they might have gone round the world in 78 days if they had not gone through India. But Fogg answers that then he would not have met Aouda and she would not have been his wife.


Verne tells us in the end that Fogg had won something more important than money, by traveling around the world. He had won a charming woman, who made him the happiest of men.
Notes
This is the last chapter of the novel about a journey around the world. We are told how Fogg managed to reach the Club on time. It is a very interesting tale and for this Fogg should be extremely thankful to Aouda. It is she who expresses her wish to get married and if she hadn't Passepartout would never have found out that they reached a day earlier than they were supposed to. Since they did reach a day earlier Fogg has a few minutes in which he can reach the Club. Fogg rushes to a Reform Club, that is surrounded by people who are curious as to whether Fogg will win the bet or not. Fogg, the unmistakably calm hero wins the wager. We are told how the travelers gained a day by traveling eastward.
Fogg is as large hearted as he is precise. He divides a thousand pounds between Passepartout and Fix for whom he feels sorry.
Fogg and Aouda get married and it is a wonderful match.
The novel ends on a strikingly unique note. A day after Aouda and Fogg’s marriage, Passepartout tells Fogg that they might have completed the journey in 78 days, instead of 80. Fogg for once does not take interest in this matter. He states quite openly that he stands more to gain now, because he went through India and met the charming Aouda. He is extremely happy to be with her.
Verne preaches a moral at the end, that love and its attainment is more important than all the challenges and money in the world. We the readers agree and are glad to see all three-Fogg, Aouda and Passepartout-happy.
OVERALL ANALYSES
CHARACTER ANALYSIS
Major Characters
Phileas Fogg
This precise and intelligent man is one to the most memorable characters of Verne. When we are introduced to him, he is an English man who lives a very regularized life. He is impeccable in his manners and is very punctual as well as particular about what he wants. If it weren’t for the title we would never have guessed that he makes a plan to go around the world. What is most distinct about his character is his eccentricity and even his trip around the world results out of a stubborn quirk and not out of a greed for the wager money.
While Fogg does travel around the world he does not really bother to find out more about the possible sources of tourist interest that he passes through. Surprisingly if anyone had a conversation with Fogg regarding the very same places, he would know a lot about them. It is the volatility and fire beneath the calm exterior that makes Fogg so very attractive.
Another outstanding trait of Fogg is his large heartedness. He decides to help the sacrificial victim, Aouda and risks his own life in the bargain. The same attribute in Fogg enables him to pardon Passepartout despite the latter’s many blunders. Towards the end of the novel, Fogg even forgives the detective who had put so many hurdles in Fogg’s path. Fogg goes to the extent of giving Fix some money, while anyone else in Fogg’s place would have been livid with anger.
As the protagonist of the story, Fogg demands a great deal of attention. It is he who sets most of the action rolling and it is he who initiates the entire adventure. He never gives up despite all odds and hires boats, captures ships, rides on a snow mobile and even hires a train in order to attain his goal.
Verne adds an unexpected twist in the story when the precise Fogg slips up and mistakes the time. He thinks he has reached London late, when in fact, he reaches it a full day earlier. The entire England and the readers too cheer, when Fogg wins the wager and manages to go around the world in the stipulated period.
Verne shows growth in Fogg’s character. While Verne celebrates Fogg’s rationality and his detachment at the end Verne maintains that Fogg attains nothing but love through his entire endeavor. He may have won a wager, which is good for his pride but more than anything else he finds lasting love, which is wonderful for his heart. Aouda would have kept Fogg very happy and we are glad that the ex-shipman marries the exotic Indian princess.
Passepartout
Fogg’s valet, Passepartout is a foil to Fogg’s character. This interesting Frenchman is an integral part of the story, from the very first chapter. He is shown as a man, who is on the lookout for some peace and quiet after having had a very exciting and adventurous life. It is for this reason that he decides to serve the impeccable Fogg, who comes across as a meticulous man, who will not undertake travels. Passepartout soon realizes that he is completely wrong for Fogg suddenly plans a journey around the world and Passepartout is tugged along. This journey is not undertaken at a leisurely pace but is completed at a hectic gallop complete with many bumps.
While Passepartout is very loyal, it is he who serves to delay his master several times. Passepartout is naïve to a certain extent and tends to get carried away at several occasions. While Fogg, Aouda and Passepartout are at Hong Kong, Passepartout gets opiated in the company of Fix and is unable to inform his master about the change in the departure time of the Carnatic. Fogg is thus forced to hire a special boat to Shanghai. Later in the story while the group is traversing America, Passepartout is taken captive by the Sioux. Fogg’s journey is delayed yet again, while he decides to rescue his menial-Passepartout. But the worst blow comes when Fogg is arrested by detective Fix in England. Passepartout can be greatly held blame for this arrest. He should have warned his master about Fix’s suspicions regarding the robbery, but he didn’t. Passepartout does feel guilty that he is a major source of delay as well as financial loss to his master. On the other hand, he makes up for his errors by his jovial nature and his unflinching love and loyalty for his master. Moreover it is Passepartout who takes the most crucial step in the rescue of Aouda. It is he who manages to lift her from the sacrificial pyre by pretending to be the dead Rajah reawakened. Thus while Aouda’s rescue is Fogg’s idea, it is Passepartout who makes it possible.
At the end of the book Fogg is grateful to Passepartout again. It is Passepartout who goes to the Reverend Samuel Wilson, of the Parish of Marylebone, in order to tell him about Fogg and Aouda’s planned wedding. When he requests the priest to marry the couple, he realizes that the next day is Sunday, not Monday. He rushes back to his master and drags him to the Reform Club. Fogg wins the wager as a result of his menial’s last minute realization of their joint mistake.
Both Fogg and Aouda are fond of the funny Passepartout. Fogg gives Passepartout a part of the money he wins, while Aouda gives this French man her affection and care.
Passepartout serves to add a comic touch to the story with his antics. He is all the more interesting because he has been an acrobat before. His little role as a long nosed acrobat in Japanese clothes is a very bright cameo. His lightheartedness and his blunders are in complete contrast to Fogg’s seriousness and meticulousness. Together they make an unforgettable pair. Passepartout enthralls the audience and the readers grow to like this crazy, eccentric Frenchman.
PLOT STRUCTURE ANALYSIS
Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne is a novel about the adventures of Phileas Fogg and his servant Passerpartout. The plot structure is simple and follows a linear line; there is hardly any interchanging of the past and present; neither is there much interpolation. One day while Phileas Fogg is with some fellow whist players; he reads in a newspaper that it is possible to travel around the world in eighty days. No one believes this is true, except Phileas. Phileas bets his challengers, that he can make the journey in eighty or under days, and then leaves along with his servant immediately. The plot then traces Fogg’s journey around the world, the obstacles that he overcomes and the lasting love that he finds. The main plot is definitely based on the nature of the challenge and whether Fogg will be able to travel around the world. The subplots are intertwined with the main thread and include Detective Fix’s suspicion that Fogg is a robber, Aouda’s love for her savior Fogg and Passepartout’s profuse buffooning and blustering.
From Chapter 1, in which Phileas Fogg and Passepartout accept each other, the one as master, the other as man to Chapter Four - when the master astounds his servant, the narrative is based in London and the seed of the plot is sown. From Chapter Five, the interesting journey begins and we are introduced to the major obstacle in the travels - Detective Fix and his suspicions. He befriends Passepartout and the latter is not in the least suspicious of the detective, little knowing that he would be a major hindrance to his master. In Chapter Nine, Fogg sails the Red Ocean and the Indian Ocean and they are both propitious to his designs. From Chapter 10, in which Passepartout is only too glad to get off with the loss of his shoes to Chapter Sixteen - In which Fix does not seem to understand in the least what is said to him, the adventurers are in India and the narrative is simply linear.
In Chapter 17 Fogg travels from Singapore to Hong Kong. It is between Chapters Twenty and Twenty Three that there is a slight mixing of the past and the present in an otherwise simple narrative. This happens because Passepartout gets opiated and he and his master are separated. While Fogg has to hire a separate ship to take him along, Passepartout manages to board the ship that they were all scheduled to travel in. At the end of Chapter twenty-three, master and servant are reunited and in the next chapter they travel together towards the continent of America. From Chapter twenty-five onwards till the second last chapter, the narrative is once again linear. The last chapter has a small segment that recounts the past and it is explained how Fogg is mistaken regarding the day that he reached London and how the folly is rectified at the very last moment.
In Chapter twenty-five, a slight glimpse is had of San Francisco, from chapter twenty-six to thirty; the adventures on the American railroad are recounted. While in Chapter thirty-one, Fix helps Fogg, later when they step on England soil, Fix proves to be a bane and arrests Fogg. After coping with exasperating delays in Chapters thirty-two and thirty-three, Fogg finally lands in London in chapter thirty-four. The story and the plot is wrapped up in the last three chapters and there is a complete reversal in fortune. Fogg seems to have lost the bet in chapter thirty-five but in the last two chapters, we see how he is not a loser, but is a winner.
The sub theme of Aouda and Fogg’s love gains prominence in the last chapter. The author upholds love over both money and the winning of challenges. This is highlighted in the topic of the chapter itself - Chapter 37- in which it is shown that Phileas Fogg gained nothing by his tour around the world, unless it were happiness.
While the plot structure throughout the narrative remains simple, variety is added through the range of exciting adventures that Fogg and his companions experience. The simple plot helps as it provides a strong foundation to the wide range of experiences in the journey. A complicated plot combined with undulating adventures would have only added confusion and would not have helped much. In fact, the plot is very neatly portrayed in the title of the book itself -Around The World In Eighty Days.
THEMES ANALYSIS
Major Themes
The journey around the world in the challenged eighty days
This is the main theme of the novel and connected to it, is the main character, the hero of the story. Phileas Fogg is challenged by fellow whist players as to whether he can complete a journey around the world in the short span of eighty days. Fogg is extremely excited to take up this challenge, as he believes that if one is precise and efficient enough can make this journey possible. So he takes up the task and starts a hurried journey around the world. He has many ups and downs in this strenuous journey but he has a never say die attitude that sees him through. Entwined with the story of his travels is the one character who proves to be an obstacle once too often. He is the detective Fix and he suspects that, Fogg is a bank robber and that the hurried travel from one place to another is just a means of covering up the crime. So apart from natural hurdles and obstacles that Fogg has to face, he has the further machinations of detective Fix to circumvent. What is surprising is that Fogg does not suspect Fix and never smells a rat. In fact, Fogg helps Fix at more than one occasion.
During the journey the focus of the author remains Fogg, his companions and their experiences. While the places that they pass through are described briefly they are not given any outstanding reference. They just form the background to the activities of the hero Fogg with his insurmountable, incorrigible will.
The other minor Themes in the novel too are entwined with this major theme of the travels around the world. The fact is that Fogg finds the love of his life-Aouda only because of this trip. At the end, Verne seems to be putting across a moral lesson-that challenges are not as important as finding true, abiding love and affection. Verne says that the heroic Fogg would not have attained as much from worldly accomplishments, as he does from finding lasting love with the charming Aouda.
Fogg does win the challenge but only after an interesting episode. He himself thinks that he has reached a little late and has lost. But he and his group are unaware that they have actually reached a whole day earlier. Fortunately for them, even after they have given up, by a stroke of luck Fogg, Passepartout and Aouda find out that they still have a few minutes to reach the Reform Club and Fogg does! We are all glad that Fogg is the winner at the end.
The suspicion that Fogg might be the bank robber
Verne is an intelligent writer, who must have known how to sustain the reader’s interest. Knowing that Fogg’s hurried journey around the world would not be interesting enough without entwined sub Themes Verne adds a couple of sub Themes, a few being Passepartout’s buffoonery, Aouda’s love and Fix’s suspicion that Fogg is a bank robber. The narrator relates how a well-dressed gentleman was responsible for a huge robbery at the Bank of England. If we combine that fact with the knowledge of Fogg’s eccentricities, even we as readers get a little curious as to whether Fogg could be a robber. After all Fogg could have readily accepted the challenge merely because it gave him a chance to flee London and to set out on a wild journey that would make him untraceable. This suspicion keeps us interested too, though we do realize that Fogg is an honorable man and would not commit such an attack. What Verne does manage to do is to create a mysterious aura around Fogg. We learn that he has been a sailor too in the way that he handles the ship to Liverpool.
Fix follows Fogg through the world after being completely convinced that the latter is the culprit. It is Fix who delays the journey innumerable times. These delays are challenges to Fogg who deals with them brilliantly, adding further interest value to the narrative.
When Fix finally manages to arrest Fogg he finds out that his conviction was completely wrong. Fogg is innocent and is so angry that he gives Fix an amazing blow on his face. Later, Fogg feels sorry for Fix’s unfortunate luck and gives him some money. The manner in which Fogg deals with Fix is truly gentleman like.
Fogg’s development of character
Fogg is the intelligent and precise man who is particular about times and habits, to the extent of being eccentric. He likes his shaving water at a particular temperature and he follows a strict routine every day, without fail. Initially, he comes across as completely unemotional and pragmatic. He seems incapable of love, though he does always seem large hearted. Throughout the journey his sole focus is to jump from train to ship and ship to train, in order to complete his travel around the world. In his spare time, he plays whist instead of sight seeing. And while these qualities might make him seem completely heartless, he is not.
It is he who suggests that their group try and save the Indian princess. After they are successful, Aouda is extreme in her gratitude and eventually falls in love with him. For a long time, he continues to be undemonstrative and unresponsive. Aouda is not sure of his affections for her. It is only in London that he confesses his love for her and they decide to marry. Verne highlights that winning the challenge is not as important for Fogg as to win the love of Aouda. The last statement of Fogg truly reflects the change in this practical man’s view of life. He tells Passepartout that they might have gone round the world in seventy eight days but adds further that, "But if I had not gone through India I should not have saved Aouda, she would not have been my wife and after saying this he closes the door. It is obvious that he is very happy with Aouda and the development in his character is that his heart is now overflowing with love, much more than before. Even Verne adds that after Fogg’s long travels, the only thing that he had gained was "...a charming woman, who unlikely as it is may appear, made him the happiest of men! And forsooth, who would not go round the world for less?" Fogg’s development in character is a positive one and one that can only be brought about by love.
Minor Themes
Passepartout’s comic behavior
Verne has provided for comic relief in this novel of adventure and one of the sources is Passepartout. He is Fogg’s valet and is quite the opposite of his precise master. Passepartout tends towards carelessness and is funny at many occasions. He gets his master into trouble often because of his casualness. When he walks into a pagoda at Malabar Hill with his shoes on he commits a serious crime and is sued by the Indian priests later.
Fogg gets intoxicated with opium and is unable to inform his master that their ship would be leaving early. Fogg misses this particular ship as a result. Then, in Yokohama Passepartout takes up work as a Japanese longnose entertainer. He has the bohemian, wild blood that makes him a nomad who has visited many countries. It is for rest and stability sake that he joins Fogg as valet, little knowing that his master will take up a fast paced journey around the world.
Passepartout is also brave. It is his unique idea at the end that saves Aouda and he fights the Sioux bravely. On the whole, he is loyal to his master and is the provider of much needed lighthearted moments.
In fact after Fogg, it is only Passepartout’s character that is given so much attention. Passepartout becomes close and dear to the reader, as much as he is to Fogg and Aouda. The only thing that we might grudge against him is that trusts Fix for too long and should have taken up some action against him.

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I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal abodomy

Hi Megan, thanks for taking the time to read my work, and for your very kind comment. It's encouraging, and very much appreciated.

You've got some interesting writing; even just reading a couple posted a few months apart, I can see where you're improving. my words to you is well done, quite clever and inventive--could be tightened up a bit, but has a lot going for it. Your thoughts on war in the middle east are curious. I recommend studying Islam: it's so much more than what's commonly known. So much more. Muhammad and the Course of Islam, by Hasan M. Balyuzi, is likely the single best resource, at least to begin with (aside from the Qur'an, that is--I like the Daewood translation, myself).

Take care, and feel free to stop by with critique (or for it) any time!

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If I'm not writing, I'm just sitting here changing oxygen into carbon dioxide. Like a baby. A little shit and piss factory, maybe one day a man. Be a man today, motherfucker.

love your poems...

heheh thanx for the fav

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Taking Steriods is just as bad as pretending to be retarded at the Special Olympics.

I'm quite interested in why you said that you love me, but I love you too. Anyway, I will be looking at your deviations sometime soon and I will be sure to comment on them. Hope I stay in touch with ya. TTYL love.

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Time is the creation of everything, yet the destruction of it all.

Robert.

hey thanks for the comments on my poems...it means alot....
see ya around

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"Were old enough to know better and too young to care....."

Thanks for the comments! ^_^ I like some of your works.

it is spelled corporal

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.._, ,_ ∩
(　ﾟ∀ﾟ.)彡　えーりん！えーりん!
⊂彡

thanx for the comment

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"How bad you think you got it, somebody else got it worse than you"

"I dont ever wanna feel
Like I did that day
Take me to the place I love
Take me all the way"

That was a big crap-load of stuff you typed on my comment board....
I guess everyone is entitled to their own opinion, you have your opinions on other people's opinion, and I have my opinion about people who are different from me especially those of the opposite side of the spectrum.
However, Blabbling is also another thing that a lot of people do and i guess from this would-be long comment would be filled with blabbing or eventhings off the top of my head, and there are a lot of things on my mind, and I have to get to my physics lab in about an hour, woot for running start students who know more than the average joe. So that is why I have my point of views about people cause they really know nothing about anything, preppys in general seem to follow the trend of taking over their parents business and really not have to go out of the nest to make a living. I would not call them preppys if they did not have to be so arrogant, I know a lot of rich kids and they are really nice and have dreams to persue but some of them, being an "expert" in observing people they dont strike me as people that would excel in college, that is, if they can get in. so at the end they wind up doing what their parents have already laid out for them in their business as a backup for their kids.

What I am really trying to say is that my opinion comes from the minority POV and possibily they maybe different from what I have just said, but I am usually not wrong with predictions I make, and yet I probably have to "Walk two Moons in their moccasins" to really know the person. but First impressions are mostly a good indications of who the person is. and yes, I know that Looks can be decieving.

You dont have to read all of that anyways, cause I too was bored and decided to kill time on your comment board
Likewise, do not take this as a personal attack.


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.._, ,_ ∩
(　ﾟ∀ﾟ.)彡　えーりん！えーりん!
⊂彡