Around the World in Eighty Days · Chapter
IX explained
The Mongolia steams across the Red Sea and Indian Ocean toward Bombay, arriving two days early.
What happens
The Mongolia steams across the Red Sea and Indian Ocean toward Bombay, arriving two days early. Phileas Fogg remains impassive, spending his time eating and playing whist, while Passepartout enjoys the voyage and befriends Fix, who secretly follows Fogg. The ship stops at Aden for coal, and Fogg has his passport visaed. The chapter ends with the Mongolia reaching Bombay on October 20th.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This chapter marks the dramatic climax because it presents the highest physical and symbolic point of the jour…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Time and Punctuality
Fogg's precise itinerary and the two-day gain highlight the theme of punctuality and schedule.
- Adventure and Exploration
Passepartout's wonder at Aden and the exotic locales underscores the adventure of travel.
- Cultural Encounter and Imperialism
The diverse population of Aden and the British presence in India reflect cultural encounters and imperial context.
Characters to notice
- Phileas Fogg
Remains impassive, plays whist, and notes the two-day gain in his itinerary.
- Passepartout
Enjoys the voyage, befriends Fix, and explores Aden.
- Fix
Secretly follows Fogg, befriends Passepartout, and inquires about Fogg's mission.
- Aouda
Not present in this chapter.
- Sir Francis Cromarty
Not present in this chapter.
- Andrew Stuart
Not present in this chapter.
- Gauthier Ralph
Not present in this chapter.
- John Sullivan
Not present in this chapter.
- Samuel Fallentin
Not present in this chapter.
- Thomas Flanagan
Not present in this chapter.
- Colonel Stamp Proctor
Not present in this chapter.
- John Bunsby
Not present in this chapter.
- Captain Speedy
Not present in this chapter.
- Mudge
Not present in this chapter.
- Elder William Hitch
Not present in this chapter.
- Judge Obadiah
Not present in this chapter.
- James Forster
Not present in this chapter.
- Mr. Batulcar
Not present in this chapter.
- Jeejeeh
Not present in this chapter.
- Brigham Young
Not present in this chapter.
- Lord Albemarle
Not present in this chapter.
- The Parsee
Not present in this chapter.
- Kiouni
Not present in this chapter.
Key passages
“The Mongolia was due at Bombay on the 22nd; she arrived on the 20th. This was a gain to Phileas Fogg of two days since his departure from London, and he calmly entered the fact in the itinerary, in the column of gains.”
The Mongolia reached Bombay two days early, and Fogg calmly recorded this gain in his schedule.
Highlights Fogg's methodical nature and the theme of time.
“Always the same impassible member of the Reform Club, whom no incident could surprise, as unvarying as the ship’s chronometers, and seldom having the curiosity even to go upon the deck, he passed through the memorable scenes of the Red Sea with cold indifference.”
Fogg remained utterly unflappable, showing no interest in the famous sights of the Red Sea.
Emphasizes Fogg's stoic and single-minded character.
“Passepartout was ravished to behold this celebrated place, and thought that, with its circular walls and dismantled fort, it looked like an immense coffee-cup and saucer.”
Passepartout was delighted by Mocha, comparing its appearance to a giant coffee cup and saucer.
Shows Passepartout's imaginative and playful perspective.
