Around the World in Eighty Days

By Jules Verne

Around the World in Eighty Days is a thrilling adventure novel by Jules Verne that employs several literary devices to engage and captivate the reader. The novel is known for its use of suspense, irony, and vivid imagery, making it an exciting and entertaining read for all ages.

Themes 📚

1. Adventure: The novel follows the journey of Phileas Fogg and his companions as they travel across the world, encountering a variety of obstacles and dangers along the way. The book is filled with exciting and thrilling moments, such as Fogg’s escape from the Sioux Indians in North America, and his frantic chase across India to catch a train.
2. Time: The concept of time is central to the novel, as Fogg’s entire journey is based on his attempt to circumnavigate the globe in just eighty days. Throughout the book, Verne emphasizes the importance of punctuality and timing, highlighting the various ways in which Fogg and his companions manage to keep to their tight schedule.
3. Technology: “Around the World in Eighty Days” was written during a time of great technological progress, and Verne’s novel reflects this in its many references to cutting-edge inventions and innovations. From the steamships that cross the Atlantic to the trains that race across India, the book showcases the ways in which technology was transforming the world in the late 19th century.
4. Cultural differences: As Fogg and his companions travel across the globe, they encounter a variety of different cultures and customs, from the opulent palaces of India to the rugged frontier towns of the American West. The book highlights the ways in which different societies and peoples can be both fascinating and challenging to understand.
5. Determination: Fogg’s unwavering determination to complete his journey in exactly eighty days is a central theme of the book. Despite the many setbacks and challenges he faces, Fogg remains steadfast in his resolve, demonstrating the power of sheer determination in achieving one’s goals.
6. Identity: The novel also touches on issues of identity, as Fogg’s valet, Passepartout, struggles to reconcile his loyalty to his employer with his own sense of self. Meanwhile, Fogg himself is often mistaken for a criminal due to his reserved demeanor, highlighting the ways in which our outward appearance can sometimes be misleading.

Use of Literary Devices ✍🏽

1. Foreshadowing: Verne uses foreshadowing to hint at events that will occur later in the novel. For example, when Fogg is discussing his plans with his friends at the Reform Club, he mentions that he will need to “cut through the isthmus of Suez”. This foreshadows the challenges he will face later in Egypt, where he is forced to navigate through a hostile desert.
2. Irony: Verne employs irony throughout the novel to create humor and highlight contrasts between different characters and situations. For example, the fact that Fogg is so precise and punctual, yet is constantly delayed by unforeseen circumstances, is an example of situational irony.
3. Imagery: Verne uses vivid imagery to bring the various locations that Fogg and his companions visit to life. For example, he describes the bustling streets of Hong Kong, the vast deserts of India, and the snowy peaks of the American West in great detail, allowing readers to visualize these places in their minds.
4. Symbolism: The characters and objects in the novel often have symbolic meanings. For example, Fogg’s watch represents his obsession with time and punctuality, while Passepartout’s name symbolizes his role as Fogg’s loyal companion, always ready to “pass through” any obstacle.
5. Allusion: Verne makes reference to other literary works and historical events throughout the novel, such as when he mentions the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London. These allusions add depth and context to the story.
6. Personification: Verne personifies various objects and forces of nature to create a sense of drama and tension. For example, he describes the stormy seas that Fogg and his companions must cross as “angry” and “relentless”.
7. Flashback: Verne uses flashbacks to provide backstory and context for certain characters and events. For example, we learn about Fogg’s background and motivation through a flashback to his meeting with his former employer, Lord Kelvin.
8. Metaphor: Verne employs metaphors to create comparisons between seemingly unrelated things. For example, he describes the train that Fogg and his companions ride across India as a “monster” that devours the landscape.
9. Hyperbole: Verne uses hyperbole, or exaggeration, for comedic effect. For example, when Fogg realizes that he has missed his train in Calcutta, he exclaims, “This is monstrous! We’ve lost an entire day!” This exaggeration highlights Fogg’s obsession with time and punctuality.
10. Parallelism: Verne uses parallelism to create patterns and connections between different events and characters. For example, the fact that Fogg and his nemesis, Detective Fix, are both traveling around the world at the same time creates a parallel between them, highlighting the ways in which they are both driven by obsession and determination.

Examples of Literary Devices 📋

1. Irony

Example	Explanation
Fogg’s wager	The irony of Phileas Fogg’s wager is that it is made on the same day he hires Passepartout, which leads to a series of unexpected events and delays.
Detective Fix	Detective Fix is ironically responsible for several delays, despite his intention to arrest Fogg and stop his journey.
The real bank robber	The irony that the real bank robber was caught while Fogg was falsely accused and pursued around the world.

2. Foreshadowing

Example	Explanation
Passepartout’s character introduction	Passepartout’s desire for a peaceful and orderly life foreshadows the chaotic journey that lies ahead.
Fogg’s precise routine	Fogg’s precise routine foreshadows his ability to meticulously plan and execute his journey around the world.
Fogg’s willingness to help others	Early instances of Fogg’s willingness to help others foreshadow his compassionate actions throughout the journey.

3. Symbolism

Example	Explanation
The clock	The clock represents the importance of time and punctuality in Fogg’s life, as well as the countdown to complete his journey.
The wager	The wager symbolizes Fogg’s adventurous spirit and determination, as well as the Victorian-era fascination with technology and progress.
Fogg’s passport	Fogg’s passport symbolizes the cultural boundaries and challenges the characters face during their journey.

4. Imagery

Example	Explanation
The various settings	Verne’s vivid descriptions of the settings in the novel, such as the Indian subcontinent, the American Wild West, and the exotic landscapes of the Far East, help immerse readers in the adventure.
Modes of transportation	The imagery of steamships, trains, and other modes of transportation emphasizes the technological advancements of the time.
The rescue of Aouda	The rescue of Aouda from the funeral pyre creates a vivid and dramatic scene.

5. Allusion

Example	Explanation
Historical events	The novel alludes to historical events, such as the opening of the Suez Canal, to ground the story in a real-world context.
Technological advancements	Verne alludes to various technological advancements of the time, such as the construction of railways and steamships, to emphasize the novel’s theme of progress.
Cultural references	The novel alludes to various cultural aspects, such as British colonialism and the customs of different countries, to enrich the story’s themes and ideas.

6. Satire

Example	Explanation
British society	Verne satirizes British society, particularly the obsession with punctuality and the strict adherence to routine.
Detective Fix	Detective Fix’s bumbling and misguided efforts to arrest Fogg serve as a satire of law enforcement and detective fiction.
Cultural misunderstandings	Verne satirizes cultural misunderstandings and stereotypes, such as the portrayal of Americans in the Wild West.

FAQs 💭