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Chapter 17
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Around the World in Eighty Days, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Modernity, Time, and Control
Imperialism
Chance, Adventure, and Human Connection
Honor, Reputation, and Duty
Summary
Analysis
The weather continues to put the Rangoon behind schedule, but Fogg acts as though he already foresaw the delay that the storm would cause. Fix is pleased by the storm because it will allow more time for the arrest warrant to arrive in Hong Kong, while Passepartout is “enraged beyond expression.”
Though the steamship and other modern modes of transport theoretically allows human beings to transcend their limits, it is clear that natural forces like time and the weather continue to prevail over manmade technology.
Themes
The storm eventually clears up, and Fogg, Passepartout, Aouda, and Fix arrive in Hong Kong. Fogg finds out that the steamer to Yokohama happened to be delayed as well, so they will not miss it. He also learns that the relative Aouda was planning to meet in Hong Kong moved to Europe two years ago, so he decides to bring her along on the rest of the journey.
The coincidence of both steamers being late shows the random nature of chance and reinforces just how little control people have over their circumstances. Fogg’s decision to bring Aouda along here is significant, as it implies that he is beginning to form a genuine bond with her.
Themes
