Question

Find and explain the significance of various exciting incidents in the extract.

Answer 1

The word ‘exciting’ refers to incidents that contribute to the development of action in the extract. There are five such ‘exciting’ incidents in the given extract:

1. Fogg’s release:
   Fix arrests Fogg at Liverpool and severely delays his plans to reach London on time to win the bet. Fogg and the others are devastated. However, several hours later, Fix finally realizes his mistake and releases Fogg. This causes excitement as the tone of the extract changes from one of disappointment to sudden hope as Fogg races to make it to London on time.
2. Arrival at London:
   Fogg, Passepartout, and Aouda finally arrive in London after several delays and obstacles but realize that they are five minutes late and Fogg has lost the bet. This incident is exciting because it changes the tone of the extract from full of hope to sudden disappointment.
3. Aouda’s proposal:
   At Savile Row, Fogg finally allows himself to be depressed and begins to believe that all is lost. Passepartout and Aouda, too, share Fogg’s feelings and an atmosphere of gloom hangs over Savile Row. However, through these moments of sorrow, emerges a glimmer of happiness when Aouda confesses her love to Fogg and he, too, admits that he loves her. Aouda’s proposal and their subsequent decision to marry are extremely significant because they highlight the message of the novel, that of true love and happiness, the idea of which helps Fogg to come out of his state of deep depression. This incident is also exciting because it ultimately leads to the discovery of the true date, thus allowing Fogg to win the bet.
4. Passepartout’s discovery:
   When Passepartout sets out to hire the services of a Reverend for Fogg and Aouda’s marriage, he discovers that the deadline for the bet has not passed. This leads to a complete turn of events, which ultimately results in Fogg winning the bet. Thus, his discovery and its subsequent explanation are a source of great excitement to the reader.
5. Fogg’s triumph:
   In the final moments of the bet, the five members of the Reform Club await Fogg’s arrival. However, they are convinced that they have won the bet and that Fogg will not return on time. At this point, the climax has not been revealed to the reader. The readers and the major characters are under the impression that Fogg has lost the bet. However, Fogg arrives at the club, mere seconds before the deadline, leaving the members of the Club, and more importantly, the readers of the novel, in absolute shock at this turn of events.