Adventure
A recurring idea that shapes Around the World in Eighty Days.
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Phileas Fogg, a precise English gentleman, wagers his Reform Club companions that he can circumnavigate the globe in eighty days. Accompanied by his new valet, Passepartout, he sets off immediately. They traverse continents via steamships, trains, and other conveyances, encountering obstacles such as a detective's false suspicion and a rescue mission in India. Despite delays, Fogg's meticulous planning and determination carry them forward. After a series of adventures, they arrive back in London precisely within the allotted time, winning the bet.
In 1872, Phileas Fogg, a wealthy and methodical English gentleman of the Reform Club, wagers half his fortune—£20,000—that he can travel around the world in eighty days. He departs that same evening with his newly hired French valet, Passepartout. Their journey takes them from London to Paris, Brindisi, Suez, Bombay, Calcutta, Hong Kong, Yokohama, San Francisco, New York, and back to London. Along the way, they employ steamships, railways, carriages, a yacht, a sledge, and even an elephant. In India, they rescue Aouda, a young Parsee widow, from being forced onto her husband's funeral pyre. Meanwhile, a detective named Fix, mistakenly believing Fogg to be a bank robber, follows and obstructs him, causing delays. In Hong Kong, Fix drugs Passepartout to separate him from Fogg, causing them to miss a steamer. Fogg chartered a pilot boat to catch up. In America, they face a train attack by Sioux Indians and use a sledge across frozen plains. After missing the last steamer to Liverpool in New York, Fogg charters a vessel. He arrives in London on the final day, but finds himself arrested by Fix, who realizes his mistake. Released, Fogg returns to the Reform Club moments before the deadline. He discovers he has gained a day by traveling eastward, thus winning the wager. He marries Aouda, and Passepartout is overjoyed.
The author of Around the World in Eighty Days.
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Around the World in Eighty Days belongs to the literary and cultural world of Public-domain literature.
In 1872, Phileas Fogg, a wealthy and methodical English gentleman of the Reform Club, wagers half his fortune—£20,000—that he can travel around the world in eighty days. He departs that same evening with his newly hired French valet, Passepartout. Their journey takes them from London to Paris, Brindisi, Suez, Bombay, Calcutta, Hong Kong, Yokohama, San Francisco, New York, and back to London. Along the way, they employ steamships, railways, carriages, a yacht, a sledge, and even an elephant. In India, they rescue Aouda, a young Parsee widow, from being forced onto her husband's funeral pyre. Meanwhile, a detective named Fix, mistakenly believing Fogg to be a bank robber, follows and obstructs him, causing delays. In Hong Kong, Fix drugs Passepartout to separate him from Fogg, causing them to miss a steamer. Fogg chartered a pilot boat to catch up. In America, they face a train attack by Sioux Indians and use a sledge across frozen plains. After missing the last steamer to Liverpool in New York, Fogg charters a vessel. He arrives in London on the final day, but finds himself arrested by Fix, who realizes his mistake. Released, Fogg returns to the Reform Club moments before the deadline. He discovers he has gained a day by traveling eastward, thus winning the wager. He marries Aouda, and Passepartout is overjoyed.
Begin by following how adventure and travel fiction shape the work’s central choices.
The novel follows Phileas Fogg, a wealthy English gentleman, who wagers £20,000 that he can travel around the world in 80 days. He departs London with his valet Passepartout, journeying by steamship, railway, and other means across Europe, Asia, and America. Along the way, they rescue Aouda from a forced suttee, are pursued by Detective Fix (who mistakes Fogg for a bank robber), and face various obstacles. The plot culminates in a race against time, with Fogg seemingly arriving late but discovering he gained a day by crossing the International Date Line, allowing him to win the bet.
The novel was written by French author Jules Verne. It was first published in 1872. According to the page metadata, the book is in the public domain, with a confirmed public domain status and sourced from Project Gutenberg (ebook #103). This means it is freely available to read and distribute.
The novel reflects 19th-century Victorian attitudes, including colonialism and stereotypes. It depicts a suttee (widow burning) in India, Japanese characters as entertainers, and Native Americans (Sioux) as violent antagonists. These portrayals are typical of the era but may be considered offensive today. The historical context note advises approaching these with awareness. Additionally, the story involves a mistaken identity (Fix the detective) and a clever time-zone twist.
Yes, Fogg wins the wager, but only through a scientific twist. After returning to London on the final day, he is arrested by Fix, delaying him. Once released, he arrives at the Reform Club just before the deadline, thinking he has lost. However, he realizes that by traveling eastward, he gained a day (due to the International Date Line), and actually has one day left. The bet is won, and Fogg marries Aouda, with Passepartout delighted.
The page rates the book's reading difficulty as 'intermediate'. The language is accessible 19th-century prose, but readers may encounter period-specific vocabulary (e.g., 'visaed') and colonial references. The plot is linear and fast-paced with short chapters. It is suitable for most readers with some patience for older styles.
Source and editorial notice
Public-domain source information is preserved with the published edition. This reading guide was created with AI assistance and reviewed before publication.