4.3 Around the World in 80 Days

4.3 Around The World In 80 Days ( by Jules Gabriel Verne )

1. Appreciate Phileas Fogg as the protagonist of 'Around the World in Eighty Days'

Ans. Phileas Fogg is a protagonist of the novel, and as readers we follow his actions throughout the novel. He is intelligent, reserved, and methodical, but not without a taste for danger. As he accepts the wager of completing the world tour in 80 days, he takes every possible moral action to make it happen. His character develops as the story proceeds. He is considered as an eccentric by most of his acquaintances. All this changes as the plot develops. In the most challenging situations he remains as cool as a cucumber. Even when he is arrested by detective FiX by mistake, he remains calm and accepts it. He is phlegmatic willot seems he has almost lost the wager. Despite his kindness and love for Aouda, he does not expect her to be with him when it seems he has lost the wager. Towards the end he wins the wager as a true hero of the novel.

2. Discuss the central idea of the given extract of the novel ‘Around the world in 80 days’  

Ans. The central idea of the given extract is how Fogg ultimately wins the bet even though there are unexpected delays and missed trains. He had unknowingly gained a day when crossing the International Date Line, and hence he was still in time to meet the deadline. The final statement is that love and its attainment is more important than all the challenges and money in the world.

3. Aouda is a very important character in the novel 'Around the World in Eighty Days'.

Ans. Aouda had had a very difficult time in India. She was nearly killed by her persecutors, but Fogg managed to save her and bring her to England with him. She was a wonderful person and grateful for what he did. She was even apologetic for having delayed his return - she did not think about the danger she was in from her persecutors. She was very loving and self-respecting. She was not at all money-minded and was ready to marry Fogg even though he did not have a penny to his name. She was a charming, compassionate, kind-hearted and generous person. An admirable woman.

4. Describe the importance of the 'Reform Club' in the development of the plot and behaviour of the characters.

Ans. Reform Club is the place which Fogg frequented on a regular basis. It is at the Reform Club that Fogg gets involved in an argument over an article, and where the wager with his fellow club members takes place. It is the place where Fogg was supposed to return to before 8.45 p.m. on 21 December, 80 days later. It is the place where his antagonists are waiting anxiously for him, and which he reaches at practically the last second to win his wager.

 5. Discuss 'Time' as the theme of the extract given in the novel, 'Around the World in Eighty days'.

Ans. Phileas Fogg has to go around the world in eighty days if he has to win the wager. As he and his companions struggle to do this, time foils their plans in many cases. Fogg gets arrested for no fault of his and loses precious time. He misses the train from Liverpool, and the special train he arranged too gets delayed. Fogg is afraid that he has lost the bet. However, in the end, Fogg wins the bet with seconds to spare as he gained a day when crossing the International Date Line. His journey through the time zones had gained him a day. The ultimate message is that no one can control time; time moves on relentlessly, and humans are at its mercy.

6. Interpret the following quote in the light of the extract of the novel, 'Around the World in Eighty Days' : 'Quitters never win and winners never quit'.

Ans. Even though Fogg loses time due to being wrongly arrested and imprisoned, he makes every effort to reach London on time. He arranges a special train from Liverpool. He does not quit when he feels that there is some faint chance of a win. Later, when Passepartout discovers that it is Saturday and not Sunday, and that there is still a chance of winning, Fogg puts aside everything and rushes headlong to the Reform Club. He does not give up in spite of all the obstacles, and comes out a winner, both in winning the bet and the love of a good woman.

7. Narrate any two exciting incidents in the extract.

Ans. An exciting incident was when Passepartout, on reaching the clergyman's house, discovers that it is not Sunday as they had thought but Saturday, and there was a chance that they could still win the wager. Another very exciting incident was Fogg reaching the Reform Club at the last moment and winning the wager. All the twists and tuns and the climax at the end keeps the reader glued to the novel right till the end.