Short Summary (Synopsis)

The story begins at England. We are introduced to Fogg, a very precise man who regularly goes to the Reform Club every evening. At one such visit to the club to play cards, he gets into a conversation with his fellow card players as to whether it is possible to go around the world in eighty days. He believes that it is and is challenged to complete the adventure. This is the beginning of the entire plot and from then on we see how Fogg goes around the world and we witness the amazing adventures that he has with his companions. The main plot is based on Fogg's travels, while other such plots merely support the central theme Fix, the detective follows Fogg all over. He believes that Fogg is the bank robber who has robbed a great sum from the bank of England. He puts obstacles in Fogg's path just so that he can arrest him whenever he gets the warrant from England. The suspicion that Fogg might be a clever gentleman robber is the sub-theme of the book and the author makes the reader also suspicious. Passepartout too wonders whether his master might be a robber though in his heart he has ample trust in Fogg's integrity.

The plot moves ahead with Fogg striving through various obstacles to reach London in time. He goes through Brindisi, Suez, Bombay, Calcutta, Hong Kong, Yokohama, San Francisco, New York and finally Liverpool. Fix arrests Fogg at Liverpool and this delays our hero. He thinks that he has missed the deadline and hasn't reached London in time when in reality he reached a full day earlier. Thus Fogg wins the wager and in the course of his travels, finds himself a worthy charming, beautiful wife too.

Themes

Challenge - The main theme of the novel can be ascertained from the topic of the book '"Around the World in Eighty Days'. Phileas Fogg, a stern and disciplined man claims that it is possible to go around the world in eighty days. He is challenged to accomplish this feat himself. Thus the major theme is the possibility/probability of going around the globe in eighty days. Fogg manages to prove that it is possible despite all odds.

Love - Fogg and Aouda's love is not a major theme of the novel but it makes the story of the journey interesting. Aouda is an Indian princess and her inclusion adds an exotic touch to the story. Fogg's relationship with her helps him grow as a person. She adds much happiness to his life and this bond is given some amount of importance in the novel.

Mood

The mood of the book is that of adventure and the excitement that is always a part of '"travel'. Phileas Fogg accepts the challenge to go around the world in eighty days and in accomplishing this feat he goes through various lands and meets with diverse adventures. Thus the book proceeds at a fast pace and there is always some excitement resulting from the various encounters.

There is a little element of mystery in the mood with the suspicion that Fogg might be the gentleman robber, guilty of a major theft at the Bank of England. Passepartout is told by Fix that his master is not what he seems and even though Passepartout tends to trust Fogg, there is a sense of tension that Fogg might just be the culprit. Even the reader wonders whether Fogg could be guilty and becomes curious about Fogg's reality.

Another distinct element in the mood is that of challenge and struggling against odds. Fogg and his companions face seemingly impossible obstacles in order to go around the world at an incredible pace. Fogg leads them with his calmness and rationality. Whether it be while fighting the Sioux or rushing to London from Liverpool in a specially hired train.