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Chapter 14
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Around the World in Eighty Days, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Modernity, Time, and Control
Imperialism
Chance, Adventure, and Human Connection
Honor, Reputation, and Duty
Summary
Analysis
As Fogg, Passepartout, and Aouda are leaving the train station in Calcutta, a police officer approaches them and takes them to a jail. Fogg and Passepartout assume that they are in trouble for stealing Aouda away. In the courtroom, they are surprised to find out that Passepartout is under arrest for entering the pagoda in Bombay. Passepartout is sentenced to fifteen days in jail and a £300 fine, and Fogg is sentenced to seven days in jail and a £150 fine.
Though Fogg often puts his trust in chance, this is an example of how a random mishap can have unintended consequences. Fogg believes that he has already foreseen every obstacle, yet this incident proves that he cannot predict or control the actions of others.
Themes
Detective Fix, who foresaw this outcome in Bombay, is watching from the back of the courtroom, and is thrilled because the sentencing will allow more time for his arrest warrant for Fogg to arrive. To his shock, Fogg pays a £2,000 bond for himself and Passepartout and they leave to board the Rangoon steamship for Hong Kong. Thus far on the journey, Fogg has spent over £5,000.
Like Fogg and Passepartout, Fix is becoming increasingly obsessed with manipulating time—specifically, biding more of it to allow for his arrest warrant’s arrival. But, like Fogg, his limitations as a human being prevent him from controlling natural laws or the actions of others.
Themes
