Around the World in Eighty Days · Chapter
XIX explained
In Hong Kong, Passepartout encounters Fix, who reveals he is a detective tracking Phileas Fogg for a bank robbery.
What happens
In Hong Kong, Passepartout encounters Fix, who reveals he is a detective tracking Phileas Fogg for a bank robbery. Fix tries to enlist Passepartout's help to delay Fogg, but Passepartout refuses. Fix then drugs Passepartout with opium in a den, causing him to miss informing Fogg about the Carnatic's early departure.
Themes in this chapter
Cultural Encounter and Imperialism
Hong Kong is depicted as a British colonial outpost with English architecture and trade dominance, contrasting with local Chinese customs like opium smoking and yellow robes for the elderly.
Justice and Mistaken Identity
Fix mistakenly believes Fogg is a bank robber and attempts to detain him, while Passepartout mistakenly thinks Fix is an agent of the Reform Club.
Determination and Resilience
Passepartout refuses to betray Fogg despite Fix's offers and pressure, showing loyalty and resolve.
Characters to notice
- Passepartout
Wanders Hong Kong, meets Fix, learns of Fix's true identity, refuses to betray Fogg, and is drugged by Fix in an opium den.
- Fix
Reveals himself as a detective to Passepartout, attempts to recruit him, and drugs him to prevent Fogg from learning of the Carnatic's early departure.
- Phileas Fogg
Mentioned as the target of Fix's investigation; Passepartout defends his honor.
- Aouda
Mentioned as the woman Fogg rescued; Passepartout recalls Fogg's bravery.
Key passages
“English merchants sell every year the miserable drug called opium, to the amount of one million four hundred thousand pounds—thousands devoted to one of the most despicable vices which afflict humanity!”
British merchants annually sell opium worth 1.4 million pounds, fueling a destructive addiction that plagues society.
The narrator condemns the British opium trade as a despicable vice.
“I have been, am, in his service; I have seen his generosity and goodness; and I will never betray him—not for all the gold in the world.”
Passepartout declares his loyalty to Fogg, refusing to betray him despite any reward.
Passepartout's steadfast refusal to cooperate with Fix highlights his integrity.