Around the World in Eighty Days · Chapter
In which it is shown that Phileas Fogg gained nothing by his tour around the world, unless it were happiness explained
Phileas Fogg discovers that he has gained a day by traveling eastward, arriving in London on Saturday instead of Sunday, thus winning his wager.
What happens
Phileas Fogg discovers that he has gained a day by traveling eastward, arriving in London on Saturday instead of Sunday, thus winning his wager. He marries Aouda, divides his remaining money between Passepartout and Fix, and reflects that the true gain of his journey is happiness.
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 Resolution.
- 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 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.
