The detective passed down the quay, and rapidly made his way to the consul's office, where he was at once admitted to the presence of that official.
"Consul," said he, without preamble, "I have strong reasons for believing that my man is a passenger on the Mongolia." And he narrated what had just passed concerning the passport.
"Well, Mr. Fix," replied the consul, "I shall not be sorry to see the rascal's face; but perhaps he won't come here—that is, if he is the person you suppose him to be. A robber doesn't quite like to leave traces of his flight behind him; and, besides, he is not obliged to have his passport countersigned."
"If he is as shrewd as I think he is, consul, he will come."
"To have his passport visaed?"
"Yes. Passports are only good for annoying honest folks, and aiding in the flight of rogues. I assure you it will be quite the thing for him to do; but I hope you will not visa the passport."
"Why not? If the passport is genuine I have no right to refuse."
"Still, I must keep this man here until I can get a warrant to arrest him from London."
"Ah, that's your look–out. But I cannot—"
The consul did not finish his sentence, for as he spoke a knock was heard at the door, and two strangers entered, one of whom was the servant whom Fix had met on the quay. The other, who was his master, held out his passport with the request that the consul would do him the favour to visa it. The consul took the document and carefully read it, whilst Fix observed, or rather devoured, the stranger with his eyes from a corner of the room.
"You are Mr. Phileas Fogg?" said the consul, after reading the passport.
"I am."
"And this man is your servant?"
"He is: a Frenchman, named Passepartout."
"You are from London?"
"Yes."
"And you are going—"
"To Bombay."
"Very good, sir. You know that a visa is useless, and that no passport is required?"
"I know it, sir," replied Phileas Fogg; "but I wish to prove, by your visa, that I came by Suez."
"Very well, sir."
The consul proceeded to sign and date the passport, after which he added his official seal. Mr. Fogg paid the customary fee, coldly bowed, and went out, followed by his servant.
"Well?" queried the detective.
"Well, he looks and acts like a perfectly honest man," replied the consul.
"Possibly; but that is not the question. Do you think, consul, that this phlegmatic gentleman resembles, feature by feature, the robber whose description I have received?"
"I concede that; but then, you know, all descriptions—"
"I'll make certain of it," interrupted Fix. "The servant seems to me less mysterious than the master; besides, he's a Frenchman, and can't help talking. Excuse me for a little while, consul."
Fix started off in search of Passepartout.
Meanwhile Mr. Fogg, after leaving the consulate, repaired to the quay, gave some orders to Passepartout, went off to the Mongolia in a boat, and descended to his cabin. He took up his note–book, which contained the following memoranda:
"Left London, Wednesday, October 2nd, at 8.45 p.m. "Reached Paris, Thursday, October 3rd, at 7.20 a.m. "Left Paris, Thursday, at 8.40 a.m. "Reached Turin by Mont Cenis, Friday, October 4th, at 6.35 a.m. "Left Turin, Friday, at 7.20 a.m. "Arrived at Brindisi, Saturday, October 5th, at 4 p.m. "Sailed on the Mongolia, Saturday, at 5 p.m. "Reached Suez, Wednesday, October 9th, at 11 a.m. "Total of hours spent, 158+; or, in days, six days and a half."
These dates were inscribed in an itinerary divided into columns, indicating the month, the day of the month, and the day for the stipulated and actual arrivals at each principal point Paris, Brindisi, Suez, Bombay, Calcutta, Singapore, Hong Kong, Yokohama, San Francisco, New York, and London—from the 2nd of October to the 21st of December; and giving a space for setting down the gain made or the loss suffered on arrival at each locality. This methodical record thus contained an account of everything needed, and Mr. Fogg always knew whether he was behind–hand or in advance of his time. On this Friday, October 9th, he noted his arrival at Suez, and observed that he had as yet neither gained nor lost. He sat down quietly to breakfast in his cabin, never once thinking of inspecting the town, being one of those Englishmen who are wont to see foreign countries through the eyes of their domestics.
Antecedentes e introducción al autor
Esta historia es un extracto de La vuelta al mundo en ochenta días, una novela de aventuras clásica escrita por el autor francés Julio Verne en 1873. Verne es considerado a menudo uno de los pioneros de la ciencia ficción y la literatura de aventuras. Sus obras son famosas por sus tramas imaginativas, descripciones detalladas de tecnología y geografía, y su espíritu de exploración. La vuelta al mundo en ochenta días sigue el viaje de Phileas Fogg, un caballero inglés preciso y adinerado, que apuesta a que puede dar la vuelta al mundo en solo ochenta días, un desafío audaz durante la época victoriana.
Interpretación detallada de la historia y su significado
En este pasaje, conocemos a dos personajes clave: Phileas Fogg y el detective Fix. Fix sospecha que Fogg es un criminal que huye de la justicia e intenta confirmar sus sospechas siguiéndolo de cerca. La tensión entre la naturaleza tranquila y metódica de Fogg y la sospecha y urgencia de Fix crea una dinámica convincente. La meticulosa contabilidad de Fogg y su estricto cumplimiento de su horario resaltan su personalidad racional y disciplinada, que contrasta con el mundo caótico e impredecible que lo rodea.
La historia explora temas como el tiempo, los viajes, la justicia y la naturaleza humana. Muestra cómo las apariencias pueden ser engañosas: Fogg parece sospechoso para Fix, pero en realidad es un hombre honesto impulsado por la lógica y la determinación. La novela también refleja el espíritu del siglo XIX, una época de rápido progreso tecnológico y exploración global.
Lecciones y conocimientos para los estudiantes
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El valor de la planificación y la disciplina: El viaje de Phileas Fogg tiene éxito gracias a su cuidadosa planificación y su estricto cumplimiento de su horario. Esto enseña a los estudiantes la importancia de la organización y la gestión del tiempo para lograr sus objetivos.
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Juzgar a las personas de manera justa: La sospecha de Fix hacia Fogg nos recuerda que no debemos sacar conclusiones precipitadas sobre los demás basándonos en las apariencias o en información incompleta. Fomenta la empatía y la apertura de mente.
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Curiosidad y exploración: La novela inspira un sentido de aventura y curiosidad por el mundo. Anima a los jóvenes lectores a aprender sobre diferentes culturas, geografía e historia.
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Perseverancia: La determinación de Fogg de completar su viaje a pesar de los obstáculos muestra la importancia de la persistencia y la resiliencia.
Aplicación de estas lecciones en la vida diaria
- En el aprendizaje: Los estudiantes pueden aplicar el enfoque metódico de Fogg estableciendo horarios de estudio claros y haciendo un seguimiento de su progreso.
- En situaciones sociales: Al igual que el error de Fix al sospechar de Fogg, los estudiantes deben practicar la abstención de juicios y conocer a las personas antes de formarse una opinión.
- En el crecimiento personal: Abrazar la curiosidad y la voluntad de explorar nuevas ideas o lugares puede ampliar los horizontes y fomentar el aprendizaje permanente.
- Al afrontar desafíos: La actitud tranquila y constante de Fogg ante la incertidumbre es un modelo para afrontar el estrés y los contratiempos con gracia.
Cultivar rasgos positivos de la historia
- Disciplina: Anime a los estudiantes a desarrollar rutinas y hábitos que les ayuden a mantenerse concentrados.
- Pensamiento crítico: Enséñeles a cuestionar las primeras impresiones y a buscar pruebas antes de tomar decisiones.
- Espíritu aventurero: Promueva la lectura y el aprendizaje sobre diferentes culturas e historias para fomentar la apertura de mente.
- Resiliencia: Comparta historias de perseverancia y discuta estrategias para superar las dificultades.
Conclusión
La vuelta al mundo en ochenta días de Julio Verne es mucho más que una emocionante aventura; es una rica fuente de lecciones sobre el carácter, el juicio y el espíritu humano. Al estudiar esta historia, los estudiantes pueden obtener valiosos conocimientos que les ayudarán a crecer académica, social y personalmente. Les anima a ser disciplinados, justos, curiosos y resilientes, cualidades que les servirán bien a lo largo de sus vidas.
