What Is the Story of "Around the World"? Plot Overview & Analysis
Today, in this article, we will share the summary of the Around the World lesson. Around the world is about the famous novel ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’. The story is about an Englishman who makes a bet with people claiming that he can go around and travel the world in eighty days. The leading character of the story is a lonesome man named Phileas Fogg. Phileas lives with his servant Jean Passepartout who also serves as his companion on his eighty-day tour around the world. Mr. Phileas Fogg is a rich man and pays his servant well, but his source of wealth remains a mystery to people. As Phileas Fogg and Jean Passepartout set out on their eighty days journey around the world, a bank gets robbed and the detective, Mr. Fix suspects Phileas Fogg and follows him. The story explains the reader about their journey around the world and all the chaos these characters create.
Detailed Summary of Around The World
The story features Phileas Fogg as its protagonist and his servant, Jean Passerpout. The two characters continued their journey on the train, in the evening, they travelled from San Francisco to New York. New York was three thousand seven hundred and eighty-six miles away from San Francisco. In seven days, the train would have taken them from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean. The train accelerated its way through California, it crossed the steep mountains, deep canyons, and dangerous curves moving through a few tunnels and bridges.
All of a sudden the train slowed as a herd of buffaloes charged across the railway track. It took a full three hours for the procession of the buffaloes to pass. By the time the train could move, it was night. The train headed for the most challenging part of the journey, the steep mountains. The mountains which were 7524 feet above the sea level were the highest part of their journey. After that, in a matter of a few hours, they came out of the Rocky Mountains.
After the passengers had taken their breakfast on the train, the train halted with a shrill whistle. The signalman told them that the suspension bridge had some of its cables broke and could collapse at any moment, and advised them not to go any further. But despite the warning, the driver decided to pass the bridge by letting the train run on its maximum speed. The train moved with frighteningly fast speed and successfully crossed the bridge but as soon as they passed it, the bridge collapsed.
On the next day, suddenly hundreds of Sioux Indians armed with rifles attacked the train, the red Indians jumped on to the moving train and pulled themselves up the steps. Some passengers who were armed with revolvers tried to defend themselves by firing some shots with pistols. Passepartout told the conductor that the only way to win is by stopping the train. Passepartout slipped under the train and detached the engine from the coaches. The train started to slow down, and eventually, the passengers were saved when the Red Indians saw the soldiers running towards them and decided to flee.
Conclusion of Around The World
The story is all about the adventures of Phileas Fogg and Jean Passerpout and their travelling experience around the world in a short span of 80 days. The story highlights how they faced lots of problems during their journey, but with their calmness and wisdom, they handled all the situations in a peaceful manner. Just like the story, we also face many hurdles & problems in our lives as nothing goes as planned ever. But instead of getting panic, we should remain calm & composed to solve all the issues using our wisdom. Only then, we will be able to enjoy the journey of life just like Phileas Fogg, and Jean Passerpout did in their journey.
FAQs on Around the World Summary: Main Events & Moral Lessons
1. What is a brief summary of the main events in the novel "Around the World"?
The novel follows Phileas Fogg, a precise English gentleman who makes a wager of £20,000 that he can circumnavigate the globe in exactly 80 days. Accompanied by his new valet, Passepartout, he sets off from London. His journey is marked by a series of adventures and obstacles, including being pursued by Inspector Fix, a detective who mistakenly believes Fogg is a bank robber. The journey tests Fogg's resourcefulness as he uses various modes of transport, from trains and steamers to an elephant.
2. Who are the most important characters students should know from "Around the World"?
The story revolves around four central characters, each with a distinct role:
- Phileas Fogg: The protagonist, an unflappable and highly disciplined man whose life is governed by the clock.
- Jean Passepartout: Fogg's loyal and comical French servant, whose actions often complicate and resolve situations.
- Aouda: A compassionate Indian princess rescued by Fogg and Passepartout, who joins them on their journey.
- Inspector Fix: The antagonist, a Scotland Yard detective who relentlessly pursues Fogg across the globe.
3. What is the central bet that initiates Phileas Fogg's journey?
The entire plot is set in motion by a wager made at the Reform Club in London. After reading an article in The Daily Telegraph suggesting that a new railway in India makes it possible to travel around the world in 80 days, Phileas Fogg accepts a bet of £20,000 from his fellow club members. He wagers that he can personally complete this feat, leaving that very evening to begin his race against time.
4. What is the primary moral lesson taught in "Around the World"?
The primary moral of the story is that the experiences gained and the human connections made during a journey are far more valuable than the destination or the material prize. While Fogg embarks on his adventure to win a bet and uphold his honour, he discovers the importance of loyalty, friendship, and love. His relationship with Aouda and Passepartout ultimately becomes his greatest reward, showing that true wealth lies in relationships, not money.
5. How does Inspector Fix create conflict and act as an obstacle in the story?
Inspector Fix serves as the main antagonist by creating continuous conflict. Convinced that Phileas Fogg is the robber who stole from the Bank of England, Fix pursues him to earn a share of the reward money. Since he can only arrest Fogg on British soil, Fix's strategy throughout the journey is to delay and sabotage him at every turn. His actions, such as getting Passepartout intoxicated in Hong Kong, directly cause Fogg to miss his steamer and threaten the entire 80-day schedule.
6. Why is Passepartout's character important for Phileas Fogg's development?
Passepartout acts as a foil to Fogg and is crucial for his character development. While Fogg is rigid, reserved, and methodical, Passepartout is warm, impulsive, and expressive. Passepartout's interactions and mishaps force Fogg to adapt, show emotion, and deviate from his strict plans. This contrast helps Fogg transform from a detached, clockwork-like man into someone capable of compassion and human connection, which is the story's central theme.
7. Beyond winning the bet, what does Phileas Fogg truly gain from his journey?
Although Phileas Fogg successfully wins the wager, his true gain is personal transformation. He starts as a man living an isolated life of routine and precision. By the end of his journey, he has experienced the unpredictable nature of the world, risked his life for others (like rescuing Aouda), and built profound relationships. He gains a loyal friend in Passepartout and finds love with Aouda, discovering that a fulfilling life is more important than punctuality or winning a bet.
8. How does the concept of time function as both an antagonist and a motivator in the novel?
Time is the central force in the novel. As an antagonist, the strict 80-day deadline creates constant pressure and suspense, making every delay a potential disaster. Fogg is in a relentless race against the clock. However, time also acts as a motivator. The challenge of beating the deadline is what drives Fogg's incredible focus and ingenuity. The climax ironically reveals time as an ally: by travelling eastward across the International Date Line, Fogg gains a day, allowing him to win the bet at the last possible moment.
