Around the World in Eighty Days · Chapter
In which Phileas Fogg shows himself equal to the occasion explained
Phileas Fogg takes command of the Henrietta after bribing the crew and imprisoning Captain Speedy, steering the ship toward Liverpool instead of Bordeaux.
What happens
Phileas Fogg takes command of the Henrietta after bribing the crew and imprisoning Captain Speedy, steering the ship toward Liverpool instead of Bordeaux. Despite a storm and dwindling coal, Fogg buys the vessel from Speedy, sails to Queenstown, and takes a train and steamer to Liverpool, only to be arrested by Fix upon arrival.
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 Falling action.
- 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
- Determination and Resilience
Fogg's bold takeover of the Henrietta, his navigation through a storm, and his resourcefulness in buying the ship and rerouting via Queenstown demonstrate his relentless drive to complete the journey.
- Technology and Progress
The use of steam power, the transatlantic steamer, and the coordinated train and steamer connections from Queenstown to Dublin to Liverpool highlight the era's technological advancements in travel.
Characters to notice
- Phileas Fogg
Takes command of the Henrietta, manages the ship through a storm, buys the vessel from Captain Speedy, and leads the party to Liverpool where he is arrested.
- Passepartout
Delighted by Fogg's maneuver, forms friendships with the crew, overhears the coal shortage, and later fetches Captain Speedy at Fogg's order.
- Fix
Confused by Fogg's actions, suspects Fogg may turn pirate, and ultimately arrests Fogg in Liverpool with a warrant.
- Aouda
Anxious but silent during the voyage.
- Captain Speedy
Locked in his cabin after being deposed, later sells the Henrietta to Fogg and is left in Queenstown.
Key passages
“It was Phileas Fogg, Esquire. As for Captain Speedy, he was shut up in his cabin under lock and key, and was uttering loud cries, which signified an anger at once pardonable and excessive.”
Fogg had taken command of the ship, locking Captain Speedy in his cabin, where he raged furiously.
Fogg's decisive takeover of the Henrietta.
“The Henrietta, when she could not rise upon the waves, crossed them, swamping her deck, but passing safely.”
The ship plowed through the waves rather than riding over them, taking water on deck but staying afloat.
Fogg's bold seamanship during the storm.
“Phileas Fogg at last disembarked on the Liverpool quay, at twenty minutes before twelve, 21st December. He was only six hours distant from London. But at this moment Fix came up, put his hand upon Mr. Fogg’s shoulder, and, showing his warrant, said, 'You are really Phileas Fogg?' 'I am.' 'I arrest you in the Queen’s name!'”
Fogg reached Liverpool just before noon on December 21, only six hours from London, but was immediately arrested by Fix.
The dramatic arrest at the climax of the journey.
