Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne

 

Around the World in Eighty Days

Around the World in Eighty Days :

• Introduction
• Analysis of the Novel
• Phileas Fogg
• Passepartout
• Aouda
• Detective Fix
• Conclusion

 [Novel,Class 12 English, Maharashtra State Board]

Outline:

Brief Introduction
Simplified Analysis of the Novel
Detailed Characters Sketch

• Phileas Fogg
• Passepartout
• Aouda
• Detective Fix Conclusion

Introduction

Jules Verne's exciting adventure work "Around the World in Eighty Days" was published in 1873. The main character of this story is an unusual Englishman called Phileas Fogg, who takes up a challenge to travel around the entire world in 80 days or less—a nearly not possible accomplishment in the Victorian era.

In addition to its remarkable display of scientific knowledge and inventiveness, the novel's outstanding achievement can be observed in the complicated cast of characters.

Analysis of the Novel

"Around the World in Eighty Days" is an adventure novel, but it also examines deeply into a period of invention and discovery. Verne combines facts and fiction to create the idea of a very long trip around the world for the sole purpose of winning a bet. 

Verne creates a world where a man's inner strength and bravery are just as important as scientific discoveries.

The novel's a message is a subtle evaluation of the independent attitudes that characterised Victorian England as well as a commentary on English patience. Readers can get an overview of nineteenth-century life by examining the cultural and social aspects of the locations Fogg and his friends visit. This reveals Verne's attention to detail and his masterful use of satire.

Detailed Characters Sketch

Phileas Fogg

Phileas Fogg, the protagonist, is a wealthy, eccentric Englishman with a penchant for precision and orderliness. 

He likes to be consistent and predictable, so he lives a strict routine. Fogg never lets his emotions get in the way of his calm; he is grownup, optimistic, and unchanging. It is not pride but rather his fundamental faith in human persistence and contemporary science that drives him to stake his fortune on the idea of travelling the entire world in eighty days. 

Despite his icy demeanor, Fogg displays moments of courage, honor, and even unexpected tenderness, especially towards Aouda, showcasing the enigmatic richness of his character.

Passepartout

Passepartout, Fogg's ever-loyal valet, is an friendly Frenchman with an unquenchable spirit. Unlike his master's robotic precision, Passepartout is warm, emotional, and noticeably human. His comic bravado and remarkable adaptability shine through their journey, providing the novel with delightful moments of humor and humanity. 

Passepartout's character, with his French sensibilities, often serves as a foil to Fogg's British reserve, adding a layer of complexity to their relationship.

Aouda

Rescued by Phileas Fogg and Passepartout in India, Aouda is a beautiful Indian princess. Aouda is the touch of empathy and warmth in an otherwise rational narrative. Her character, although not as robustly fleshed out as Fogg or Passepartout, brings a much-needed emotional element to the storyline. 

Her grace, bravery, and gratitude add depth to her character, eventually culminating in her pivotal role in the novel's surprising climax.

Detective Fix

Detective Fix is a stubborn British police officer who mistakenly suspects Fogg of robbing the Bank of England and follows him around the world to arrest him. Although he is proven wrong in the end, Fix's tenacity and dogged pursuit add an intriguing subplot to the narrative. 

His fixation on Fogg's guilt and his subsequent befuddling creates an interesting dynamic that continues to complicate Fogg's mission, thereby adding tension and conflict to the plot.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Around the World in Eighty Days" is an extraordinary adventure novel that seamlessly blends science, imagination, and human determination.

 While the premise of the novel lies in the breathtaking journey of Phileas Fogg, the characters - Fogg, Passepartout, Aouda, and Detective Fix - bring the story to life with their distinct personalities and interactions. Each character has a unique role, highlighting different aspects of humanity such as stoicism, loyalty, empathy, and unwavering determination.

 Ultimately, Jules Verne's masterpiece is a testament not just to human capability and scientific potential, but also to the array of diverse human emotions and traits that complete the human experience.