# In which Phileas Fogg and his companions venture across the indian forests, and what ensued. explained — Around the World in Eighty Days

> Chapter companion for Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne.

## What happens

Phileas Fogg, Sir Francis Cromarty, Passepartout, and their Parsee guide travel through the Indian forests on an elephant named Kiouni to shorten their journey to Allahabad. They encounter a procession of Brahmins leading a young widow to a sati (human sacrifice) at dawn. Despite the danger, Fogg decides to use his twelve-hour surplus to attempt to save the woman.

## Themes in this chapter

### Determination and Resilience

Fogg and his companions endure the harsh journey through the forest with stoic resolve, and Fogg decides to use his time to attempt a rescue.

### Cultural Encounter and Imperialism

The chapter depicts a direct encounter with Hindu religious practices (sati) and highlights the tension between British colonial authority and local customs.

## Character check-ins

### Phileas Fogg

Endures the jostling of the elephant with British phlegm; sleeps peacefully; decides to save the widow from sati.

### Passepartout

Rides on the elephant's back, bouncing and laughing; feeds sugar to Kiouni; expresses indignation at the sati.

### Sir Francis Cromarty

Travels in the howdah; explains the sati ritual to Fogg; sleeps heavily.

### The Parsee

Acts as guide; navigates the forest; warns the party about the procession; confirms the involuntary nature of the sacrifice.

### Kiouni

The elephant used for travel; rests and feeds; becomes restless before the procession.

## Key lines

> Suppose we save this woman.

Fogg proposes that they rescue the widow from the sacrificial ceremony.

_Fogg's decision to intervene marks a turning point in the journey, showing his willingness to act on moral grounds._

> I have yet twelve hours to spare; I can devote them to that.

Fogg calculates that he has a twelve-hour buffer in his schedule and chooses to use it for the rescue.

_Highlights Fogg's methodical nature and his prioritization of human life over strict adherence to his timetable._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/around_the_world_in_eighty_days_se/chapters/xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/around_the_world_in_eighty_days_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/around_the_world_in_eighty_days_se/chapters