Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days is not just an adventure novel – it is a celebration of time, precision, human will, and the irresistible thrill of the unknown. Written in an age when the world was becoming newly connected through steamships and railways, the novel captures a moment when global travel was both miraculous and dangerous. And yes – it was almost impossible to travel around the world in 80 days.
At its heart, this is a story about a man who treats time like a science and a journey that proves time is far more unpredictable than any equation.
The World: A Globe Shrinking yet Expanding
The late 19th century setting is crucial. The world is on the cusp of modernity. Railroads carve through continents. Steamships conquer oceans. Telegraph lines carry messages faster than ever before. And yet travel is still uncertain. Delays happen. Routes are incomplete and cultures clash.
Verne uses this transitional world brilliantly. The journey is not just physical – it is symbolic. Every destination represents both progress and unpredictability.
The globe, though mapped, is not yet mastered.
The Protagonist: A Man of Precision
Phileas Fogg is one of literature’s most fascinating characters, not because he is emotional, but because he is almost entirely devoid of visible emotion.
He is:
- Methodical
- Punctual
- Reserved
- Unwavering
His life is governed by routine so exact that it resembles machinery. Every movement, every decision, every minute of his day is accounted for. Even his shaving water has to be at precisely 80 degrees… such is his methodology.
He is not adventurous by nature which is exactly why his journey becomes extraordinary.
The Inciting Incident: A Bet That Defies Reason and Logic.
The story begins in the Reform Club in London, where Fogg engages in a debate about whether it is possible to travel around the world in 80 days. His companions dismiss the idea as impractical.
Fogg, with quiet confidence, disagrees and then – without hesitation – he places a wager (bet) that he can definitely travel around the World in 80 days…
He stakes a significant portion of his fortune on the claim that he can complete the journey in exactly 80 days.
No drama. No hesitation… Just certainty… within hours, he departs – accompanied by his newly hired valet, Passepartout (Pronouced as Passpartoo – a French name)
This sudden transition – from routine to adventure – is one of the most striking aspects of this novel.
Passepartout: He is the Human Counterbalance
Where Fogg is rigid, Passepartout is expressive.
Where Fogg is calculated, Passepartout is impulsive.
He serves not just as a companion, but as the emotional lens of the story. Through him, we experience:
- Confusion
- Excitement
- Fear
- Wonder
He questions what Fogg never does and in doing so, he makes the journey feel human.
The Journey Begins: Speed Meets Uncertainty
England to Egypt
The journey starts smoothly. Fogg follows his meticulously planned schedule with mathematical precision.
Ships are boarded on time. Connections are made flawlessly. At this stage, the journey feels almost too easy – like a demonstration of perfect planning. But this illusion does not last.
India is where chaos enters the Equation
India introduces the first major disruption.
A railway line is incomplete – forcing Fogg and Passepartout to improvise. In one of the novel’s most memorable sequences, they purchase an elephant to continue their journey.
This moment is crucial. For the first time, Fogg deviates from pure calculation. He adapts… and in doing so, reveals that beneath his rigid exterior lies an unexpected flexibility.
The Rescue of Aouda
In India, the story takes an emotional turn. Fogg and Passepartout rescue Aouda, a woman about to be sacrificed in a sati ritual.
This act is significant – not because it is strategic, but because it is compassionate. For a man defined by logic, this decision is almost revolutionary. It adds a new dimension to Fogg’s character.
He is not just a man of time – he is a man capable of humanity.
The Antagonist: Suspicion and Pursuit
Meanwhile, a detective named Fix believes Fogg is a bank robber who has fled England. He begins pursuing Fogg across the globe.
This subplot introduces tension and irony:
- The reader knows Fogg is innocent
- Fix is convinced he is guilty
Fix’s pursuit becomes a constant obstacle, delaying and complicating the journey. He represents bureaucracy, suspicion, and the dangers of misunderstanding.
East Asia: Momentum and Mishaps
In Hong Kong and Japan, the journey becomes increasingly chaotic. Passepartout gets separated. Circumstances spiral beyond control. Schedules tighten. The sense of urgency intensifies yet Fogg remains composed – almost unnaturally so.
His calmness becomes both admirable and unsettling.
America: The Wild Unpredictability
The American leg of the journey introduces raw unpredictability. Trains are attacked. Routes are disrupted. Nature itself becomes an obstacle. This section feels faster, more chaotic – almost cinematic.
The world is no longer just inconvenient – it is actively resisting Fogg’s progress.
The Race against Time
As the deadline approaches, every second matters. Fogg begins losing ground. Delays accumulate. The possibility of failure looms for the first time. Yet he does not panic. He recalculates and adjusts… Pushes forward… His determination becomes almost superhuman.
The Climax looks like Apparent Failure
Fogg returns to London… late. The 80 days have passed. The wager is lost. For the first time, we see a crack in his composure. He withdraws and accepts defeat.
Everything – the journey, the effort, the precision – seems wasted.
The Twist: Time Itself Was the Key
Then comes the revelation. By traveling eastward, Fogg has gained a day due to time zone differences. He has not lost.
He has won.
This twist is brilliant – not just as a plot device, but as a thematic statement.
Time, the very thing Fogg tried to control, ultimately reveals itself as something fluid, relative, and surprising.
Themes: Beyond Adventure
1. Time as a Character
Time is not just a constraint – it is an active force in the story. It governs decisions. It creates tension and ultimately delivers the resolution.
2. Logic vs. Humanity
Fogg begins as a man of pure logic. But through the journey—especially through Aouda – he evolves.
He learns that not everything can be measured. Some choices must be felt.
3. The Global Perspective
The novel reflects a world becoming interconnected. Different cultures, landscapes, and challenges are encountered in rapid succession.
It celebrates diversity but also reveals the misunderstandings that come with it.
4. Determination and Adaptability
Fogg’s greatest strength is not his planning – it is his persistence. When plans fail, he adapts. When obstacles arise, he overcomes.
This balance between discipline and flexibility is what ultimately ensures his success.
Character Analysis
Phileas Fogg
A paradox:
- Emotionless yet capable of compassion
- Rigid yet adaptable
- Detached yet deeply committed
His journey is not about changing who he is—but about revealing who he truly is.
Passepartout
He is the heart of this story. He makes the adventure relatable, emotional, and dynamic. Without him, the journey would feel mechanical.
Aouda
More than a rescued figure – she represents warmth, connection, and the emotional awakening of Fogg.
Detective Fix
He is a symbol of misunderstanding and misplaced certainty. He adds tension, but also irony.
Narrative Style: Fast, Elegant, Engaging
Verne’s writing is:
- Clear
- Efficient
- Imaginative
He balances:
- Detailed descriptions
- Rapid pacing
- Subtle humor
The structure mirrors the journey—quick, precise, always moving forward.
Why This Story Endures
Even today, the story resonates because it speaks to universal desires:
- To explore
- To challenge limits
- To prove something—to the world and to oneself
It is not just about traveling the world.
It is about discovering what lies beyond certainty.
Final Say……
Around the World in 80 Days is a triumph of imagination and structure.
It begins as a wager. It becomes an adventure and it ends as a revelation.
Fogg sets out to conquer time. Instead, he learns to respect it.
Closing Thought
In the end, the greatest journey is not measured in miles or days but in the transformation that happens along the way.
Because sometimes, in trying to beat time… we discover what truly matters within it.
Jules Verne is known for his ideas that later became a reality… today, you definitely can hop around the world in less than 80 days.
- Dia Malik
- Dia Malik
- Dia Malik
- Dia Malik
