Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days Essay -- Around World 80 Da

Jules Vernes more or less the World in 80 DaysJules Vernes 19th atomic number 6 novel about the travels of the eclectic Phileas Fogg at first seems a straighta federal agency read, an adventurous tale written in a light-hearted vernacular. Yet a close reading of conversions, such as the paragraph at the inception of chapter devil, reveals more complex, latent themes amidst the pages of such mass fiction. An analysis of one passage in particular1 1 suggests that this classic novel has little to do with travel, adventure and love, further rather that it makes a statement about the human condition. Foggs notable eighty-day challenge seems only a vessel, a means of transportation, to mask and take away his own inward journey. Vernes earliest portrayals of Fogg reveal some of his peculiarities an supernatural fixation on following routing and being on time, as salubrious as meticulous attention for detail.2 2 Yet Foggs apparent irresistible impulse with exactitude d enies him any hint of individuality. According to Verne, Fogg is so exact that he is neer in a hurry, makes no superfluous gestures, and is never seen to be locomote or agitated.3 3 He meticulously reads two papers each day without comment, avoids both confrontation and agreement, and is at formerly mysterious and predictable. Phileas Fogg seems, therefore, to exist in such a state of mediocrity and liminality, lacking defining or distinctive characteristics, that prior to accepting the challenge, he would fade from the readers view. Vernes poetic prose further play up Foggs early banalityPhileas Fogg was indeed exactitude personified, and this was betrayed even in the typeface of his very detainment and feet the limbs themselves are expressive of the passions. (Verne 14)... ...ons do not match on a word-for-word basis. This is the passage as it appears in my versionsPhileas Fogg was indeed exactitude personified, and this was betrayed even in the expression of his very hands and feet for in men, as well as in animals, the limbs themselves are expression of the passions.He was so exact that he was never in a hurry, was always ready, and was economical in both steps and his motions. He never took one step too many, and always went to his destination by the shortest way he made no superfluous gestures, and was never seen to be moved or agitated. He was the most deliberate person in the world, withal always arrived on time.He lived alone, and so to speak, outside of every neighborly relation and as he knew that in this world there must be friction, and since friction slows things down, he never rubbed against anybody. (Verne 14-15)