Around the World in Eighty Days · Chapter
Showing what happened on the voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong explained
On the voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong, Passepartout grows suspicious of Fix's constant presence and concludes he is a spy sent by the Reform Club.
What happens
On the voyage from Singapore to Hong Kong, Passepartout grows suspicious of Fix's constant presence and concludes he is a spy sent by the Reform Club. Fix, in turn, suspects that Passepartout may have discovered his true identity as a detective. The Rangoon makes a stop at Singapore, where Fogg and Aouda go ashore briefly, and the journey continues with rough weather. Passepartout's impatience grows, while Fogg remains calmly indifferent.
Themes in this chapter
Time and Punctuality
Fogg notes the half-day gain in schedule at Singapore and aims to reach Hong Kong in six days to catch the Yokohama steamer, highlighting his obsession with precise timing.
Order and Method
Fogg moves methodically in his orbit around the world, indifferent to the disturbances around him, while Passepartout's impatience contrasts with his master's calm.
Justice and Mistaken Identity
Fix pursues Fogg as a suspected bank robber, while Passepartout mistakenly believes Fix is a spy from the Reform Club, creating a web of misidentification.
Characters to notice
- Phileas Fogg
Remains calm and indifferent, keeping to his cabin or playing whist, and notes the half-day gain in schedule at Singapore.
- Passepartout
Grows suspicious of Fix, believing him to be a Reform Club spy; chaffs Fix with banter and becomes impatient with the ship's slow progress.
- Fix
Follows Fogg and Aouda ashore at Singapore, suspects Passepartout has discovered his detective identity, and considers revealing his purpose to Passepartout.
- Aouda
Accompanies Fogg on a walk ashore at Singapore and gracefully accepts mangoes from Passepartout.
Key passages
“He was passing methodically in his orbit around the world, regardless of the lesser stars which gravitated around him.”
Fogg continued his journey with calm precision, ignoring the people and events swirling around him.
Highlights Fogg's detached, methodical nature.
“Passepartout began very seriously to conjecture what strange chance kept Fix still on the route that his master was pursuing.”
Passepartout started to wonder why Fix kept appearing wherever Fogg traveled.
Shows Passepartout's growing suspicion of Fix's motives.
“If this was an American craft, we should blow up, perhaps, but we should at all events go faster!”
Passepartout complains that an American ship would be faster, even if it risked exploding.
Reflects Passepartout's impatience with the ship's speed and his admiration for American engineering.