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
Detective Fix follows Fogg, Passepartout, and Aouda onto the Rangoon in hopes of arresting Fogg in Hong Kong—the last English territory that Fogg will visit on his journey before returning to London. Throughout the ship ride, Aouda and Fogg become better acquainted. She is deeply grateful for his help, and he sits with her and provides comforts for her despite his cold, machinelike demeanor.
It is clear that Fogg cares for Aouda despite his cold demeanor. Fix believes that Fogg is a criminal, but Aouda judges Fogg on his actions rather than his reputation—their genuine connection and his protection of her is what makes him honorable in her eyes.
Themes
Fix decides that, if all else fails, his last resort will be to confess his true identity to Passepartout and convert him over to his cause of catching Fogg. He feigns surprise when he sees Passepartout on the ship’s deck, and Passepartout recounts their adventures between Bombay and Calcutta.
Fix is willing to pretend to be Passepartout’s friend in order win him over and gain more information about Fogg—he has no desire to make a genuine connection with Passepartout, only to use him.
Themes
