# Around the World in Eighty Days

> novel by Jules Verne

**Wikidata**: [Q1219561](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1219561)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Around_the_World_in_Eighty_Days)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/around-the-world-in-eighty-days

## Summary
*Around the World in Eighty Days* is a novel by Jules Verne, published in 1872, that follows the adventures of Phileas Fogg, a wealthy English gentleman who wagers against his friends to circumnavigate the globe in just 80 days. The story blends travel, suspense, and social commentary, showcasing Verne’s signature blend of adventure and scientific speculation.

## Key Facts
- **Author**: Jules Verne (French writer, 1828–1905)
- **Publication Date**: 1872
- **Genre**: Adventure fiction, serialized fiction
- **Setting**: Global, featuring travel across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas
- **Protagonist**: Phileas Fogg, a wealthy English gentleman
- **Plot**: Fogg bets his friends he can complete a world tour in 80 days, navigating challenges including political unrest, natural disasters, and cultural differences
- **Country of Origin**: France (author’s nationality)
- **Part of Series**: *Voyages Extraordinaires* (collection of Jules Verne’s travel novels)
- **Preceded by**: *The Fur Country* (1873)
- **Followed by**: *The Mysterious Island* (1874)
- **Language**: Originally written in French as *Le Tour du monde en quatre-vingts jours*
- **Adaptations**: Featured in films, TV series, and video games
- **Inspirations**: Verne’s real-world travels and observations influenced the novel’s settings and characters
- **Literary Significance**: Pioneered the adventure fiction genre and introduced themes of global connectivity and time management

## FAQs
**What is the central premise of *Around the World in Eighty Days*?**
The novel follows Phileas Fogg, a wealthy Englishman, as he attempts to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days after making a wager with his friends. The journey takes him through Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, facing political unrest, natural disasters, and cultural challenges.

**How does the novel blend adventure with social commentary?**
Verne uses the global tour to critique colonialism, imperialism, and the social hierarchies of the time. Fogg’s interactions with different cultures and governments highlight the tensions between Western dominance and local perspectives.

**What makes Phileas Fogg a compelling protagonist?**
Fogg is portrayed as a refined, disciplined, and slightly arrogant gentleman who must adapt to diverse environments. His journey tests his patience, resourcefulness, and moral integrity, making him a relatable yet heroic figure.

**How does the novel’s structure reflect Verne’s writing style?**
The novel is serialized, with episodes published in installments, allowing Verne to build suspense and engage readers with each new installment. This format also mirrors real-world travelogues of the era.

**What role does technology play in the novel?**
Verne incorporates early 19th-century technology, such as steamships, railroads, and telegraphs, to facilitate Fogg’s journey. These advancements highlight the novel’s speculative yet grounded approach to futuristic travel.

**How does the novel’s ending subvert expectations?**
Fogg successfully completes his journey in 79 days, but the true victory lies in his moral growth and understanding of global diversity. The novel emphasizes the value of experience over material wealth.

## Why It Matters
*Around the World in Eighty Days* is a foundational work in adventure fiction, blending travel, suspense, and social commentary. It introduced themes of global connectivity, cultural exchange, and the limitations of imperialism, making it a timeless exploration of human ambition and perspective. Verne’s novel inspired generations of writers, filmmakers, and travelers, shaping the adventure genre and influencing real-world exploration. Its legacy endures through adaptations, academic study, and its enduring relevance to contemporary discussions on travel, identity, and globalization.

## Notable For
- **Pioneering Adventure Fiction**: One of Jules Verne’s most celebrated works, shaping the adventure genre.
- **Global Travel Themes**: Explores real-world travel challenges and cultural differences.
- **Social Commentary**: Critiques colonialism and imperialism through Fogg’s journey.
- **Serial Publication**: Published in installments, reflecting Verne’s engagement with real-world travelogues.
- **Technological Speculation**: Incorporates early 19th-century advancements to enhance realism.
- **Cultural Adaptations**: Featured in numerous films, TV series, and video games, ensuring its global appeal.
- **Academic Influence**: Studied in literature, travel writing, and cultural studies for its thematic depth.
- **Symbolic Ending**: Fogg’s success highlights the value of experience over material wealth.

## Body

### Literary Context and Publication
*Around the World in Eighty Days* was published in 1872 as part of Jules Verne’s *Voyages Extraordinaires* series. The novel was serialized in *Le Temps*, a French newspaper, with each episode released weekly. This format allowed Verne to build suspense and engage readers with each new installment, mirroring real-world travelogues of the era.

### Plot and Characters
The novel follows Phileas Fogg, a wealthy English gentleman, as he attempts to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days after making a wager with his friends. Accompanied by his valet, Passepartout, Fogg navigates through Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, facing political unrest, natural disasters, and cultural challenges. The journey tests Fogg’s patience, resourcefulness, and moral integrity, culminating in a triumphant return to London.

### Themes and Influences
Verne’s novel blends adventure with social commentary, critiquing colonialism, imperialism, and the social hierarchies of the time. The global tour serves as a metaphor for the interconnectedness of the world and the limitations of Western dominance. Verne’s real-world travels and observations influenced the novel’s settings and characters, adding authenticity to his speculative fiction.

### Adaptations and Legacy
*Around the World in Eighty Days* has been adapted into numerous films, TV series, and video games, ensuring its enduring relevance. Notable adaptations include the 1956 film starring David Niven and Cantinflas, which remains one of the most famous cinematic versions. The novel’s themes and characters have inspired generations of writers, filmmakers, and travelers, shaping the adventure genre and influencing real-world exploration.

### Critical Reception and Influence
Upon its release, *Around the World in Eighty Days* received critical acclaim for its imaginative storytelling and futuristic visions. It was praised for its blend of adventure, scientific speculation, and social commentary, solidifying Verne’s reputation as a pioneer of the genre. The novel’s legacy endures through academic study, cultural adaptations, and its enduring relevance to contemporary discussions on travel, identity, and globalization.

## References

1. Internet Speculative Fiction Database
2. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. MusicBrainz
5. Lingua Libre
6. BnF authorities
7. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
8. [Source](https://www.projekt-gutenberg.org/verne/80tage/80tage.html)
9. Goodreads
10. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute