It is time to relate what a change took place in English public opinion when it transpired that the real bankrobber, a certain James Strand, had been arrested, on the 17th day of December, at Edinburgh. Three days before, Phileas Fogg had been a criminal, who was being desperately followed up by the police; now he was an honourable gentleman, mathematically pursuing his eccentric journey round the world.
The papers resumed their discussion about the wager; all those who had laid bets, for or against him, revived their interest, as if by magic; the "Phileas Fogg bonds" again became negotiable, and many new wagers were made. Phileas Fogg's name was once more at a premium on 'Change.
His five friends of the Reform Club passed these three days in a state of feverish suspense. Would Phileas Fogg, whom they had forgotten, reappear before their eyes! Where was he at this moment? The 17th of December, the day of James Strand's arrest, was the seventy–sixth since Phileas Fogg's departure, and no news of him had been received. Was he dead? Had he abandoned the effort, or was he continuing his journey along the route agreed upon? And would he appear on Saturday, the 21st of December, at a quarter before nine in the evening, on the threshold of the Reform Club saloon?
The anxiety in which, for three days, London society existed, cannot be described. Telegrams were sent to America and Asia for news of Phileas Fogg. Messengers were dispatched to the house in Saville Row morning and evening. No news. The police were ignorant what had become of the detective, Fix, who had so unfortunately followed up a false scent. Bets increased, nevertheless, in number and value. Phileas Fogg, like a racehorse, was drawing near his last turning–point. The bonds were quoted, no longer at a hundred below par, but at twenty, at ten, and at five; and paralytic old Lord Albemarle bet even in his favour.
A great crowd was collected in Pall Mall and the neighbouring streets on Saturday evening; it seemed like a multitude of brokers permanently established around the Reform Club. Circulation was impeded, and everywhere disputes, discussions, and financial transactions were going on. The police had great difficulty in keeping back the crowd, and as the hour when Phileas Fogg was due approached, the excitement rose to its highest pitch.
The five antagonists of Phileas Fogg had met in the great saloon of the club. John Sullivan and Samuel Fallentin, the bankers, Andrew Stuart, the engineer, Gauthier Ralph, the director of the Bank of England, and Thomas Flanagan, the brewer, one and all waited anxiously.
When the clock indicated twenty minutes past eight, Andrew Stuart got up, saying, "Gentlemen, in twenty minutes the time agreed upon between Mr. Fogg and ourselves will have expired."
"What time did the last train arrive from Liverpool?" asked Thomas Flanagan.
"At twenty–three minutes past seven," replied Gauthier Ralph; "and the next does not arrive till ten minutes after twelve."
"Well, gentlemen," resumed Andrew Stuart, "if Phileas Fogg had come in the 7:23 train, he would have got here by this time. We can, therefore, regard the bet as won."
"Wait; don't let us be too hasty," replied Samuel Fallentin. "You know that Mr. Fogg is very eccentric. His punctuality is well known; he never arrives too soon, or too late; and I should not be surprised if he appeared before us at the last minute."
"Why," said Andrew Stuart nervously, "if I should see him, I should not believe it was he."
"The fact is," resumed Thomas Flanagan, "Mr. Fogg's project was absurdly foolish. Whatever his punctuality, he could not prevent the delays which were certain to occur; and a delay of only two or three days would be fatal to his tour."
"Observe, too," added John Sullivan, "that we have received no intelligence from him, though there are telegraphic lines all along is route."
"He has lost, gentleman," said Andrew Stuart, "he has a hundred times lost! You know, besides, that the China the only steamer he could have taken from New York to get here in time arrived yesterday. I have seen a list of the passengers, and the name of Phileas Fogg is not among them. Even if we admit that fortune has favoured him, he can scarcely have reached America. I think he will be at least twenty days behind–hand, and that Lord Albemarle will lose a cool five thousand."
"It is clear," replied Gauthier Ralph; "and we have nothing to do but to present Mr. Fogg's cheque at Barings to–morrow."
At this moment, the hands of the club clock pointed to twenty minutes to nine.
"Five minutes more," said Andrew Stuart.
The five gentlemen looked at each other. Their anxiety was becoming intense; but, not wishing to betray it, they readily assented to Mr. Fallentin's proposal of a rubber.
"I wouldn't give up my four thousand of the bet," said Andrew Stuart, as he took his seat, "for three thousand nine hundred and ninety–nine."
The clock indicated eighteen minutes to nine.
The players took up their cards, but could not keep their eyes off the clock. Certainly, however secure they felt, minutes had never seemed so long to them!
"Seventeen minutes to nine," said Thomas Flanagan, as he cut the cards which Ralph handed to him.
Then there was a moment of silence. The great saloon was perfectly quiet; but the murmurs of the crowd outside were heard, with now and then a shrill cry. The pendulum beat the seconds, which each player eagerly counted, as he listened, with mathematical regularity.
"Sixteen minutes to nine!" said John Sullivan, in a voice which betrayed his emotion.
One minute more, and the wager would be won. Andrew Stuart and his partners suspended their game. They left their cards, and counted the seconds.
At the fortieth second, nothing. At the fiftieth, still nothing.
At the fifty–fifth, a loud cry was heard in the street, followed by applause, hurrahs, and some fierce growls.
The players rose from their seats.
At the fifty–seventh second the door of the saloon opened; and the pendulum had not beat the sixtieth second when Phileas Fogg appeared, followed by an excited crowd who had forced their way through the club doors, and in his calm voice, said, "Here I am, gentlemen!"
Antecedentes e introducción al autor
Este pasaje es de la novela de aventuras clásica La vuelta al mundo en ochenta días de Julio Verne, un autor francés conocido por sus obras pioneras en la ciencia ficción y la literatura de aventuras. Escrita en 1873, esta novela captura el espíritu del siglo XIX, una época de rápidos avances tecnológicos y exploración global. La narrativa imaginativa y las descripciones detalladas de Verne hicieron que sus obras fueran atemporales, inspirando a generaciones de lectores a soñar con lugares lejanos y hazañas audaces.
Interpretación detallada y significado
La historia gira en torno a Phileas Fogg, un caballero inglés preciso y metódico que apuesta a que puede dar la vuelta al mundo en solo ochenta días. Este extracto captura el clímax de la historia, donde la opinión pública cambia drásticamente a medida que el destino de Fogg pende de un hilo. Inicialmente sospechoso de un crimen, el honor y la determinación de Fogg se restauran cuando se captura al verdadero culpable. La tensión aumenta a medida que el reloj corre hacia el momento final de la apuesta, culminando en el regreso triunfal de Fogg.
Esta escena destaca temas de perseverancia, puntualidad y el triunfo de la voluntad humana contra probabilidades aparentemente imposibles. También refleja la fascinación de la época victoriana por el progreso, la puntualidad y el alcance en expansión del Imperio Británico. La historia combina inteligentemente la aventura con una sutil crítica a las normas sociales y el valor que se le da a las apariencias y la reputación.
Lecciones e inspiraciones para los estudiantes
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Perseverancia y determinación: El viaje de Phileas Fogg enseña la importancia de mantenerse comprometido con los propios objetivos, incluso cuando se enfrentan contratiempos y dudas. Los estudiantes pueden aprender a persistir en sus estudios y desafíos personales adoptando una mentalidad similar.
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Gestión del tiempo y puntualidad: La estricta adhesión de Fogg a su horario es un poderoso ejemplo de cómo la gestión eficaz del tiempo puede conducir al éxito. Los jóvenes lectores pueden reflexionar sobre cómo la planificación y la puntualidad ayudan en el trabajo escolar y las responsabilidades diarias.
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Pensamiento crítico y juicio: La fluctuante opinión pública sobre Fogg nos recuerda que no debemos sacar conclusiones precipitadas basadas en información incompleta. Los estudiantes deben cultivar habilidades de pensamiento crítico y evitar juicios apresurados sobre los demás.
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Coraje para asumir riesgos: La apuesta de Fogg es audaz y arriesgada, pero lo empuja a explorar el mundo y crecer. Esto anima a los estudiantes a salir de sus zonas de confort y a afrontar desafíos que promuevan el aprendizaje y el autodescubrimiento.
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Resiliencia social y emocional: A pesar de la sospecha pública y la presión de la apuesta, Fogg permanece tranquilo y sereno. Esto enseña resiliencia emocional y el valor de mantener la compostura bajo estrés.
Aplicación de estas lecciones en la vida diaria
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En el aprendizaje: Los estudiantes pueden establecer objetivos y plazos claros para sus tareas, tal como Fogg planificó su viaje. Dividir las grandes tareas en pasos más pequeños y ceñirse a un horario puede mejorar el rendimiento académico.
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En las interacciones sociales: Comprender la importancia de no juzgar a los demás prematuramente ayuda a construir la empatía y mejores relaciones. Los estudiantes pueden practicar la escucha y la recopilación de datos antes de formar opiniones.
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En el crecimiento personal: Asumir riesgos calculados, como unirse a nuevos clubes o probar nuevos pasatiempos, puede ampliar los horizontes y generar confianza.
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En el desarrollo del carácter: Emular la calma y la determinación de Fogg puede ayudar a los estudiantes a afrontar exámenes, competiciones o desafíos personales con una mente estable.
Cultivar rasgos positivos de la historia
Los profesores y los padres pueden animar a los niños a:
- Desarrollar un sentido de responsabilidad estableciendo metas personales.
- Practicar la puntualidad creando rutinas diarias.
- Construir la resiliencia discutiendo historias de superación de obstáculos.
- Fomentar la curiosidad por el mundo a través de la lectura y la exploración.
- Apreciar el valor de la amistad y el apoyo, como se ve en los compañeros de Fogg.
En resumen, La vuelta al mundo en ochenta días no es solo una aventura emocionante; es una rica fuente de lecciones de vida que inspiran a los jóvenes lectores a soñar en grande, trabajar duro y afrontar los desafíos de la vida con coraje e integridad.
