Phileas Fogg was in prison. He had been shut up in the Custom House, and he was to be transferred to London the next day.
Passepartout, when he saw his master arrested, would have fallen upon Fix had he not been held back by some policemen. Aouda was thunderstruck at the suddenness of an event which she could not understand. Passepartout explained to her how it was that the honest and courageous Fogg was arrested as a robber. The young woman's heart revolted against so heinous a charge, and when she saw that she could attempt to do nothing to save her protector, she wept bitterly.
As for Fix, he had arrested Mr. Fogg because it was his duty, whether Mr. Fogg were guilty or not.
The thought then struck Passepartout, that he was the cause of this new misfortune! Had he not concealed Fix's errand from his master? When Fix revealed his true character and purpose, why had he not told Mr. Fogg? If the latter had been warned, he would no doubt have given Fix proof of his innocence, and satisfied him of his mistake; at least, Fix would not have continued his journey at the expense and on the heels of his master, only to arrest him the moment he set foot on English soil. Passepartout wept till he was blind, and felt like blowing his brains out.
Aouda and he had remained, despite the cold, under the portico of the Custom House. Neither wished to leave the place; both were anxious to see Mr. Fogg again.
That gentleman was really ruined, and that at the moment when he was about to attain his end. This arrest was fatal. Having arrived at Liverpool at twenty minutes before twelve on the 21st of December, he had till a quarter before nine that evening to reach the Reform Club, that is, nine hours and a quarter; the journey from Liverpool to London was six hours.
If anyone, at this moment, had entered the Custom House, he would have found Mr. Fogg seated, motionless, calm, and without apparent anger, upon a wooden bench. He was not, it is true, resigned; but this last blow failed to force him into an outward betrayal of any emotion. Was he being devoured by one of those secret rages, all the more terrible because contained, and which only burst forth, with an irresistible force, at the last moment? No one could tell. There he sat, calmly waiting—for what? Did he still cherish hope? Did he still believe, now that the door of this prison was closed upon him, that he would succeed?
However that may have been, Mr. Fogg carefully put his watch upon the table, and observed its advancing hands. Not a word escaped his lips, but his look was singularly set and stern. The situation, in any event, was a terrible one, and might be thus stated: if Phileas Fogg was honest he was ruined; if he was a knave, he was caught.
Did escape occur to him? Did he examine to see if there were any practicable outlet from his prison? Did he think of escaping from it? Possibly; for once he walked slowly around the room. But the door was locked, and the window heavily barred with iron rods. He sat down again, and drew his journal from his pocket. On the line where these words were written, "21st December, Saturday, Liverpool," he added, "80th day, 11.40 a.m.," and waited.
The Custom House clock struck one. Mr. Fogg observed that his watch was two hours too fast.
Two hours! Admitting that he was at this moment taking an express train, he could reach London and the Reform Club by a quarter before nine, p.m. His forehead slightly wrinkled.
At thirty–three minutes past two he heard a singular noise outside, then a hasty opening of doors. Passepartout's voice was audible, and immediately after that of Fix. Phileas Fogg's eyes brightened for an instant.
The door swung open, and he saw Passepartout, Aouda, and Fix, who hurried towards him.
Fix was out of breath, and his hair was in disorder. He could not speak. "Sir," he stammered, "sir—forgive me—most—unfortunate resemblance—robber arrested three days ago—you are free!"
Phileas Fogg was free! He walked to the detective, looked him steadily in the face, and with the only rapid motion he had ever made in his life, or which he ever would make, drew back his arms, and with the precision of a machine knocked Fix down.
"Well hit!" cried Passepartout, "Parbleu! that's what you might call a good application of English fists!"
Fix, who found himself on the floor, did not utter a word. He had only received his deserts. Mr. Fogg, Aouda, and Passepartout left the Custom House without delay, got into a cab, and in a few moments descended at the station.
Phileas Fogg asked if there was an express train about to leave for London. It was forty minutes past two. The express train had left thirty–five minutes before. Phileas Fogg then ordered a special train.
There were several rapid locomotives on hand; but the railway arrangements did not permit the special train to leave until three o'clock.
At that hour Phileas Fogg, having stimulated the engineer by the offer of a generous reward, at last set out towards London with Aouda and his faithful servant.
It was necessary to make the journey in five hours and a half; and this would have been easy on a clear road throughout. But there were forced delays, and when Mr. Fogg stepped from the train at the terminus, all the clocks in London were striking ten minutes before nine.
Having made the tour of the world, he was behind–hand five minutes. He had lost the wager!
Background and Author Introduction
This story is an excerpt from Around the World in Eighty Days, a classic adventure novel written by the French author Jules Verne in 1873. Verne is often called the "Father of Science Fiction" for his imaginative and forward-thinking stories that combine adventure with scientific and geographical knowledge. This particular novel captures the spirit of the 19th century, a time when the world was becoming more connected through railways and steamships, and travel was starting to shrink the vast distances between continents.
Detailed Story Analysis and Significance
The story follows Phileas Fogg, a calm, methodical English gentleman who wagers that he can travel around the world in only eighty days. The passage you read describes a critical moment when Fogg is wrongly arrested just as he is about to complete his journey. Despite this setback, his calm demeanor and determination shine through, showing his resilience in the face of adversity.
Fogg’s arrest is a turning point that tests his patience, courage, and trust in his friends. His servant, Passepartout, feels guilty for not warning him about the detective Fix’s suspicions, and Aouda, a young woman they rescued during their travels, shows deep loyalty and concern for Fogg. The story highlights themes of justice, perseverance, and the importance of friendship and trust.
Lessons and Insights for Students and Young Readers
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Perseverance in Difficult Times: Fogg’s calmness and resolve, even when wrongly accused and imprisoned, teach us the importance of staying composed and focused when facing challenges. Life often throws unexpected obstacles, but maintaining a clear mind helps us find solutions.
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The Value of Loyalty and Friendship: Passepartout and Aouda’s devotion to Fogg remind us that having supportive friends and standing by each other in tough times is invaluable. Their concern and actions demonstrate how teamwork and care can help overcome difficulties.
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Honesty and Integrity: Fogg’s character is built on honesty and integrity. Even when accused unjustly, he does not lose his dignity or resort to dishonesty. This shows young readers the importance of staying true to one’s values.
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The Power of Time Management and Planning: The entire novel revolves around Fogg’s precise schedule and planning. It teaches students how important it is to manage time wisely and prepare for unexpected delays, a skill useful in studies and daily life.
How to Apply These Lessons in Life
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In School: When facing exams or projects, students can learn from Fogg’s disciplined approach to planning and perseverance. Even if setbacks occur, staying calm and focused will help them succeed.
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In Social Situations: Just like Passepartout and Aouda support Fogg, building strong friendships based on trust and loyalty is essential. Being there for friends and asking for help when needed strengthens relationships.
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In Personal Growth: Fogg’s integrity encourages young readers to act honestly and responsibly, even when it might be easier to take shortcuts. This builds character and earns respect.
Cultivating Positive Traits from the Story
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Resilience: Practice staying calm and thinking clearly when things don’t go as planned. Try to see obstacles as challenges to overcome rather than reasons to give up.
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Empathy and Support: Learn to notice when friends or classmates need help and offer your support. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
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Responsibility: Take ownership of your actions, like Passepartout realizes his mistake. Admitting errors and learning from them is a sign of maturity.
Conclusion
Around the World in Eighty Days is more than just an exciting adventure; it is a story filled with valuable life lessons about courage, friendship, honesty, and perseverance. By reading and reflecting on characters like Phileas Fogg, students and young readers can gain inspiration to face their own challenges with confidence and integrity, preparing them for success in school, relationships, and beyond.