Exploring Jules Verne's 'Around the World in 80 Days'

Jules Verne's 'Around the World in 80 Days' is an adventure novel published in 1873. It chronicles Phileas Fogg's ambitious global circumnavigation, inspired by technological advances of the 19th century.

Phileas Fogg, a wealthy Englishman, bets £20,000 he can circle the earth in 80 days. Accompanied by his valet Passepartout, they face numerous challenges. Detective Fix, suspecting Fogg of robbery, follows them, adding intrigue.

Verne's novel reflects the era's technological innovations like the Suez Canal and the Transcontinental Railroad. These advancements made the idea of a global journey in 80 days conceivable, stirring public imagination.

The novel popularized the concept of time zones and travel. It also influenced real-life adventurers, including Nellie Bly, who completed the journey in 72 days, outdoing Verne’s fictional timeframe.

Verne uses detailed geographic descriptions, a linear narrative structure, and a third-person omniscient point of view to build suspense and engage readers, pioneering elements of the modern adventure genre.

Themes of the novel include the Victorian belief in progress and empire, the tension between tradition and modernity, and the examination of British punctuality, nationalism, and the notion of a shrinking world.

Remarkably, Verne envisioned technology not yet available, such as electric-powered submarines and new transportation methods. His foresight cemented his status as a father of science fiction, predicting future innovations.