Around the World in Eighty Days · Chapter
IV explained
Phileas Fogg returns home early from the Reform Club, astonishing his servant Passepartout by announcing they must leave for a journey around the world in eighty days.
What happens
Phileas Fogg returns home early from the Reform Club, astonishing his servant Passepartout by announcing they must leave for a journey around the world in eighty days. After quickly packing a small carpetbag with essential clothing and a large sum of money, Fogg and Passepartout take a cab to Charing Cross. On the way, Fogg gives his winnings from whist to a poor beggar woman, touching Passepartout's heart. At the station, Fogg purchases first-class tickets to Paris and bids farewell to his friends from the Reform Club, reminding them of his return date. The train departs at twenty minutes before nine, and Passepartout realizes he forgot to turn off the gas in his room.
Themes in this chapter
Time and Punctuality
Fogg's precise schedule is emphasized: he returns home at an unusual hour, gives exact departure and return times, and insists on leaving within ten minutes, highlighting the theme of punctuality.
Adventure and Exploration
The announcement of a round-the-world journey in eighty days sets the stage for a grand adventure, with Fogg and Passepartout embarking on an unprecedented trip.
Determination and Resilience
Fogg's calm and resolute demeanor in the face of a sudden, ambitious journey demonstrates his determination to succeed against the odds.
Characters to notice
- Phileas Fogg
Returns home early, announces the round-the-world journey, gives twenty guineas to a beggar, and departs from Charing Cross with Passepartout.
- Passepartout
Stunned by the sudden departure, packs the carpetbag, nearly drops it upon learning it contains twenty thousand pounds, and is touched by Fogg's generosity to the beggar.
- Andrew Stuart
Reminds Fogg of the return date as Fogg departs from the Reform Club.
- Gauthier Ralph
Politely tells Fogg that examining his passport upon return will be unnecessary, trusting his word.
Key passages
“We start for Dover and Calais in ten minutes.”
We leave for Dover and Calais within ten minutes.
Fogg announces the immediate departure to a bewildered Passepartout.
“We are going round the world.”
We are traveling around the entire globe.
Fogg reveals the ambitious scope of their journey to his astonished servant.
“In eighty days.”
The journey will take eighty days.
Fogg specifies the time limit for their round-the-world trip.
“Take good care of it, for there are twenty thousand pounds in it.”
Handle this bag carefully because it contains twenty thousand pounds.
Fogg warns Passepartout about the large sum of money in the carpetbag.
“Here, my good woman. I’m glad that I met you;”
Take this, kind woman. I am pleased to have encountered you.
Fogg gives his whist winnings to a beggar woman, showing unexpected generosity.