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 notes that the Pacific Railroad connects San Francisco to Omaha, Nebraska. From there, five main lines connect Omaha to New York, where Fogg hopes to catch the December 11th steamer to Liverpool, England. The Pacific Railroad, crossing land that is “infested” with Native Americans, wild beasts, and Mormons, has shortened what was once a six-month journey from San Francisco to New York to just seven days.
Verne’s is reverent toward the modern technological progress that has transformed the American West, yet his use of the word “infested” is resentful and alienating toward the minorities who actually live there. This reflects a common 19th century mindset—native populations were seen as savages who needed to be civilized.
Themes
On the train ride from Oakland, California to Omaha, Fogg, Passepartout, Aouda, and Fix look out at the varied landscape of prairies, mountains, and creeks that make up the American West. The train is blocked when a large group of buffalo wanders onto the track, and the conductor is forced to stop and wait three hours until they clear.
This is another example of a situation over which Fogg has no control; while he claims to have planned ahead for everything, he is ultimately at the mercy of nature here, and cannot manipulate time using money or favors.
Themes
