In which it is shown that Phileas Fogg gained nothing by his tour around the world, unless it were happiness explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Time and Punctuality

  Fogg's exactitude is central as he discovers the day gained by eastward travel, which allows him to win the wager.

• Love and Marriage

  Fogg marries Aouda, and the chapter emphasizes that happiness, not money, is the true reward of his journey.

Characters to notice

• Phileas Fogg

  Realizes his error of a day, wins the wager, marries Aouda, and divides his winnings.

• Passepartout

  Discovers the day mistake, drags Fogg to the Reform Club, and later gives the bride away.

• Aouda

  Marries Fogg after the wager is won.

• Fix

  Receives a share of Fogg's remaining money, though Fogg holds no grudge.

Key passages

• “Phileas Fogg had, without suspecting it, gained one day on his journey, and this merely because he had travelled constantly eastward ; he would, on the contrary, have lost a day had he gone in the opposite direction, that is, westward .”

  Fogg unknowingly gained a day by traveling east, whereas traveling west would have caused him to lose a day.

  Explains the scientific reason for Fogg's apparent error in the date.

• “What had he really gained by all this trouble? What had he brought back from this long and weary journey? Nothing, say you? Perhaps so; nothing but a charming woman, who, strange as it may appear, made him the happiest of men!”

  The only thing Fogg gained from his journey was a charming woman who made him truly happy.

  Summarizes the chapter's conclusion that happiness is the ultimate reward.