Around the World in Eighty Days

“You are four minutes too slow […] Now from this moment, twenty-six minutes after eleven, A.M., this Wednesday, 2^nd October, you are in my service.”

This passage introduces the juxtaposition of Phileas and Passepartout, an important aspect of characterization that develops the theme of Punctuality, Time, and Time Management and introduces Passepartout’s watch as a symbol. Phileas’s announcement that Passepartout’s watch is four minutes behind schedule emphasizes Phileas’s precise punctuality and rigid adherence to time. These traits contrast with Passepartout’s whimsical lifestyle and attitude.

“‘Faith,’ muttered Passepartout, somewhat flurried, ‘I’ve seen people at Madame Tussaud’s as lively as my new master!’”

This passage that develops Phileas’s characterization as a phlegmatic, Victorian Englishman requires further contextual awareness from the period. Passepartout is referencing Madam Tussaud’s popular waxwork exhibits as a hyperbolic representation of the rigid self-control that epitomized men of the period.

“But he could not take root in any of these; with chagrin, he found his masters invariably whimsical and irregular, constantly running about the country or on the lookout for adventure.”

An example of ironic humor and foreshadowing, this passage highlights humor as an important aspect of Passepartout’s characterization. Passepartout ironically criticizes behaviors in the men he has worked for that he demonstrates himself. Moreover, this lament foreshadows Phileas’s upcoming abrupt departure from a simple and orderly routine, a departure that immediately follows the French valet’s employment. Passepartout often provides comic relief within the narrative through similar farcical plot devices.

“‘A true Englishman doesn’t joke when he is talking about so serious a thing as a wager,’ replied Phileas Fogg.”

A social-cultural reference to British ideals from the period, this passage captures an aspect of the protagonist’s characterization. Namely, the passage indicates the protagonist’s characterization as a representation of Victorian ideals. This moment fits within the theme of Victorian Honor, Integrity, and Ideals.

“Under his arm might have been observed a red-bound copy of Bradshaw’s Continental Railway Steam Transit and General Guide, with its timetables showing the arrival and departure of steamers and railways.”

The author makes several references to publications of the time such as Bradshaw’s Guide. These references contribute to the realism of the narrative, a characteristic of Verne’s scientific style. Verne often included cultural references as well as accurate depictions of geography and technology from the period.

“Articles no less passionate than logical appeared on the question, for geography is one of the pet subjects of the English; and the columns devoted to Phileas Fogg’s venture were eagerly devoured by all classes of readers.”

An example of historical and literary context, the passage is evidence of the growing middle class in Victorian England. Educated and socially aware, newspapers, magazines, and serial publication of fiction became popular during this era. Verne references the publication of Around the World in Eighty Days, which was released in serialized installments synchronized with Phileas’s journey.

“The steamer Mongolia, belonging to the Peninsular and Oriental Company, built of iron, of two thousand eight hundred tons burden, and five hundred horsepower, was due at eleven o’clock A.M. on Wednesday, the 9^th of October, at Suez.”

This line is an example of the scientific style typical of the author and his work. Verne’s scientific descriptions make him an important figure in the early development of the science fiction genre. In the context of the novel, they also play an important role within the theme of The Juxtaposition of Art and Science.

“Just think, monsieur, I had no idea that we should go farther than Paris; and all I saw of Paris was between twenty minutes past seven and twenty minutes before nine in the morning, between the Northern and the Lyons stations, through the windows of a car, and in a driving rain!”

An aspect of the theme of punctuality, time, and time management, Passepartout references time as place while lamenting the speed of their travels. Passepartout’s complaints also establish him as a foil to Phileas within the same theme. In the context of science versus art, Passepartout’s lament here further builds his juxtaposition with Phileas as a character who is much more interested in experiencing wonder and awe than in adhering to an itinerary.

“‘But where is your master going?’

‘Always straight ahead. He is going round the world.’”

This passage offers another example of Passepartout’s humor and whimsical characterization. The valet ironically references Phileas’s single-mindedness in explaining his purpose.

“He rather enjoyed the voyage, for he was well fed and well lodged, took a great interest in the scenes through which they were passing, and consoled himself with the delusion that his master’s whim would end at Bombay.”

This passage provides another example of Passepartout’s characterization as a foil for Phileas. Passepartout focuses on enjoying the journey. The juxtaposition of the two characters leads Passepartout to misunderstand the wager as a whim rather than as a purposeful attempt by the protagonist to illustrate Victorian progress and the advancement of modern technology.

“The British Crown exercises a real and despotic dominion over the larger portion of this vast country, and has a governor-general stationed at Calcutta, governors at Madras, Bombay, and in Bengal, and a lieutenant-governor at Agra.”

The narrator describes British rule within the colonies as they travel. This passage is an example of the author’s language taking a more critical stance toward British colonization, describing Britain as despotic. Notably, though, Verne also demonstrates his own biases in other passages. The manifestations of Imperialism, Colonization, and Period-Typical Racism throughout the novel do vary and have nuance.

“Formerly one was obliged to travel in India by the old cumbrous methods of going on foot or on horseback, in palanquins or unwieldy coaches; now fast steamboats ply on the Indus and the Ganges, and a great railway, with branch lines joining the main line at many points on its route, traverses the peninsula from Bombay to Calcutta in three days.”

This passage is an example of the historical and generic context that illustrates the impact of technological advancements on travel in India. A lengthy, detailed description, Verne’s style highlights this information for readers interested in such developments.

“He would not deign to examine even the masterpieces of Elephanta, or the mysterious hypogea, concealed southeast from the docks, or those fine remains of Buddhist architecture, the Kanherian grottoes of the island of Salcette.”

An aspect of Phileas Fogg’s characterization, his lack of interest in the sights as he travels is characteristic of his single-minded purpose. In this regard, Phileas contrasts with Passepartout, who instead wanders through the ports whenever possible to explore and experience the unfamiliar territories. This juxtaposition is part of both characters’ symbolic significance within the theme of the juxtaposition of art and science.

“This famous timepiece, always regulated on the Greenwich meridian, which was now some seventy-seven degrees westward, was at least four hours slow.”

Passepartout’s watch is a recurring symbol that serves the themes of punctuality, time, and time management and the juxtaposition of art and science. The inaccuracy of the watch foreshadows the surprise conclusion of the novel, in which Phileas mistakenly believes he has lost the wager. Passepartout’s stubborn refusal to adjust his watch reflects the valet’s unique characterization as a representation of the importance of appreciating wonder and awe in life, especially during travel.

“The English have not been able to secure complete dominion over this territory, which is subjected to the influence of rajas, whom it is almost impossible to reach in their inaccessible mountain fastnesses.”

An example of period-typical racism, this passage illustrates the tendency to regard colonization as justified by spreading progress to societies viewed as backwards by the British. It fits within the theme of imperialism, colonization, and period-typical racism.

“‘Why, you are a man of heart!’

‘Sometimes,’ replied Phileas Fogg, quietly; ‘when I have the time.’”

An illustration of what Passepartout and Phileas have in common, this passage represents a moment when the protagonist chooses to alter his course based on morals and/or ethics. The passage is thus a key passage within the theme of Victorian honor, integrity, and ideals. Phileas ironically alludes to the infrequency of these occurrences, identifying punctuality as his most definitive character trait.

“She spoke English with great purity, and the guide had not exaggerated in saying that the young Parsee had been transformed by her bringing up.”

This passage developing Aouda’s characterization demonstrates period-typical racism during the Victorian era and fits within the theme of imperialism, colonization, and period-typical racism. Referring to the British influence on the Parsee woman as transformative implies that Indian women without such an influence are less worthy. The description of her English as “pure” suggests the Indian accent is impure.

“Mr. Fogg betrayed no surprise whatever. The policeman was a representative of the law, and law is sacred to an Englishman.”

This passage is an example of Phileas’s characterization as an ideal Victorian Englishman. This symbolic characterization fits within the theme of Victorian honor, integrity, and ideals. It also provides additional historical context on the importance of structure and order in Victorian society.

“The purchases made, they returned to the hotel where they dined at a sumptuously served table de’hote; after which Aouda, shaking hands with her protector after the English fashion, retired to her room for rest.”

This passage fits within the theme of imperialism, colonization, and period-typical racism. The narrator consistently describes the British customs and mannerisms that Aouda demonstrates to establish her suitability as a love interest for an Englishman, an illustration of period-typical racism. The consistent implication is that Aouda has started at a disadvantage by nature of her origin; her character must demonstrate worthiness in other ways. Verne accordingly reassures the reader repeatedly that Aouda does, in fact, align with Victorian-era expectations and norms.

“He took pains to calm Aouda’s doubts of a successful termination of the journey, telling her that the most difficult part of it had passed, that now they were beyond the fantastic countries of Japan and China, and were fairly on their way to civilized places again.”

This passage provides another example of thematic significance and period-typical racism within the novel’s theme of imperialism, colonization, and period-typical racism. Victorian texts frequently depict Eastern and Asian cultures as exotic attractions, as demonstrated by Phileas referring to the “fantastic countries of Japan and China.” Phileas simultaneously suggests that a lack of technological progress is synonymous with a lack of civilization.

“I was sure the sun would someday regulate itself by my watch!”

This moment is an example of Passepartout’s characterization. The valet jokes about his whimsical demeanor while referencing his pocket watch as a symbol of this characterization. He also frequently concludes his speech with an exclamation point, signifying his exuberance.

“Between Omaha and the Pacific the railway crosses a territory which is still infested by Indians and wild beasts, and a large tract which the Mormons, after they were driven from Illinois in 1845, began to colonize.”

A notable addition to the theme of imperialism, colonization, and period-typical racism, the narrator frequently compares the United States to England, even demonstrating similar cultural biases and racism against native cultures in North America. In this example, the narrator refers to the Native American tribes in the region as an infestation, comparing them to wild beasts. The Mormons are described as colonizing the land, suggesting they brought civilization to the surrounding people.

“At the appointed hour Elder William Hitch rose, and, in an irritated voice, as if he had already been contradicted, said, ‘I tell you that Joe Smith is a martyr, that is brother Hiram is a martyr, and that the persecutions of the United States Government against the prophets will also make a martyr of Brigham Young.’”

An example of historical context, Elder William Hitch refers to anti-Mormon violence in the United States. Joe Smith, the founder of the Church of Latter-Day Saints, and his brother were killed by a mob as they awaited trial in a local jail in Nauvoo, Illinois, in 1844. Brigham Young was a noted polygamist and the second president of the Church of Latter-Day Saints who led his followers, called the Mormon Pioneers, west to Salt Lake Valley, Utah.