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Chapter 36
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
The narration explains that at 8:05 P.M., Passepartout was sent to the reverend’s home to tell him about the marriage ceremony, but that he was not home. Realizing that this meant it was actually Saturday and not Sunday, Passepartout rushed back to Saville Row and told Fogg that they made a mistake—they had miscalculated and arrived in London twenty-four hours ahead of time. With only ten minutes left, Fogg leapt into a cab and arrived at the Reform Club on time at 8:45 P.M, winning the wager.
Although Passepartout has blamed himself for Fogg’s delays throughout the novel, this moment allows him to redeem his honor in Fogg’s eyes, since it is Passepartout's quick thinking that lets them realize their mistake and win the wager in the end.
Themes
Since Fogg and his companions had traveled eastward toward the sun, they gained four minutes for every degree of longitude they passed. Having circled all 360 degrees of the Earth, Fogg unknowingly gained twenty-four hours throughout his trip. Passepartout’s watch, which he kept on London time throughout the journey, displayed the correct time but not the day of the week.
This simple (yet nearly catastrophic) mistake shows the consequences of trying to exert strict control over one’s situation. Fogg’s ability to win the wager ultimately has more to do with random chance than with his ability to place ahead. Had Fogg and Passepartout not been so fixated on maintaining a rigid schedule throughout their journey, they would likely have had the same outcome, but would have been able to thoroughly experience and enjoy their travels.
Themes
Literary Devices
Two days later, on Monday, Fogg and Aouda are married. Having saved her life in India, Passepartout is granted the honor of giving Aouda away to her new husband. The next day, Passepartout points out that they could have made the trip around the world in only seventy-eight days if they had not stopped to save Aouda. The narration points out that, although Fogg’s journey may seem pointless, the adventure allowed him to meet Aouda, who “made him the happiest of men,” making his tour of the world worth it in the end.
The conclusion of the novel reflects a transformation in Fogg’s character. Whereas he began as a cold, robotic man obsessed with routine and was initially motivated by proving his worth to his wealthy acquaintances, none of this matters in the end. It is the adventure, not the result of the wager, that matters; Fogg’s deep connection and genuine love for Aouda is ultimately what creates lasting happiness for him.
Themes
Literary Devices
