Posting #2: The Arrogant Non-Traveler

Verne has described three different type of travelers. First, there is Fogg who "trac[es] a circle" but does not travel. (Ch. 11). He never even thought of looking around town "as he was the sort of Englishman who gets his servant to do the sights for him" (lol) and "[a]bsolutely nothing interested him." (Ch. 7, 10). Not only does he fail to see the sights when stopped, but he doesn't even look around while he is traveling--he "rarely put in an appearance on deck" and "showed little interest in observing the Red Sea." (Ch. 9). Mostly he just played whist--which is exactly what he always did in England.

Second, we have the wide-eyed, prone to explore without any kind of guide or information, Passepartout. Pass strolls around, mingles with the inhabitants, and admires what he sees. He is open to what is out there and "realize[s] that there's a lot to be said for travelling if you want to see something new." (Ch. 9). I like Pass's approach, but I think if he would have consulted a "Bombay for Dummies" or "Rick Steve's in India" book, he would have been a lot better off and could have avoided being half beaten to death by a couple of priests. But you have to admire his initiative and fascination.

Finally, we have Sir Francis Cromarty. He feels comfortable navigating around and is interested in what is around him. However, he is also educated and can give "information about the customs, history and administration of India." He didn't just look around in awe, he found out the origin and history of what fascinated him. I like the Cromarty style myself. Again, it appears Verne is portraying Fogg as an Englishman subject to censure for his haughtiness and lack of spirit. This time Verne accomplishes it by portraying Fogg's complete lack of interest in the world around him--presumably because it's not important or interesting enough to merit his attention.

Other questions on my mind: At first I thought Pass would be handy because he can get himself out of tricky situations--now I am starting to worry that he is always the cause of the tricky situations--there is the temple incident and the incriminating information he unwittingly fed to Fix--will he be an asset on this trip? What is Verne trying to say here about the British Empire and it's attempt to control different parts of the world? I get the feeling Verne is criticizing and laughing at the attempt to "Brittify" everything or am I inventing the sarcasm and is Verne applauding the work of the English? (See for example, ch.12, and Fogg asking "Are these barbaric customs still practised in India without the British being able to stamp them out?"). Is Fix obsessed, incompetent, or just self-important?

Posted by Shyla