"Faith," muttered Passepartout, somewhat flurried, "I've seen people at Madame Tussaud's as lively as my new master!"
Madame Tussaud's "people," let it be said, are of wax, and are much visited in London; speech is all that is wanting to make them human.
During his brief interview with Mr. Fogg, Passepartout had been carefully observing him. He appeared to be a man about forty years of age, with fine, handsome features, and a tall, well-shaped figure; his hair and whiskers were light, his forehead compact and unwrinkled, his face rather pale, his teeth magnificent. His countenance possessed in the highest degree what physiognomists call "repose in action," a quality of those who act rather than talk. Calm and phlegmatic, with a clear eye, Mr. Fogg seemed a perfect type of that English composure which Angelica Kauffmann has so skilfully represented on canvas. Seen in the various phases of his daily life, he gave the idea of being perfectly well-balanced, as exactly regulated as a Leroy chronometer. Phileas Fogg was, indeed, exactitude personified, and this was betrayed even in the expression of his very hands and feet; for in men, as well as in animals, the limbs themselves are expressive of the passions.
He was so exact that he was never in a hurry, was always ready, and was economical alike of his steps and his motions. He never took one step too many, and always went to his destination by the shortest cut; he made no superfluous gestures, and was never seen to be moved or agitated. He was the most deliberate person in the world, yet always reached his destination at the exact moment.
He lived alone, and, so to speak, outside of every social relation; and as he knew that in this world account must be taken of friction, and that friction retards, he never rubbed against anybody.
As for Passepartout, he was a true Parisian of Paris. Since he had abandoned his own country for England, taking service as a valet, he had in vain searched for a master after his own heart. Passepartout was by no means one of those pert dunces depicted by Moliere with a bold gaze and a nose held high in the air; he was an honest fellow, with a pleasant face, lips a trifle protruding, soft-mannered and serviceable, with a good round head, such as one likes to see on the shoulders of a friend. His eyes were blue, his complexion rubicund, his figure almost portly and well-built, his body muscular, and his physical powers fully developed by the exercises of his younger days. His brown hair was somewhat tumbled; for, while the ancient sculptors are said to have known eighteen methods of arranging Minerva's tresses, Passepartout was familiar with but one of dressing his own: three strokes of a large-tooth comb completed his toilet.
It would be rash to predict how Passepartout's lively nature would agree with Mr. Fogg. It was impossible to tell whether the new servant would turn out as absolutely methodical as his master required; experience alone could solve the question. Passepartout had been a sort of vagrant in his early years, and now yearned for repose; but so far he had failed to find it, though he had already served in ten English houses. But he could not take root in any of these; with chagrin, he found his masters invariably whimsical and irregular, constantly running about the country, or on the look-out for adventure. His last master, young Lord Longferry, Member of Parliament, after passing his nights in the Haymarket taverns, was too often brought home in the morning on policemen's shoulders. Passepartout, desirous of respecting the gentleman whom he served, ventured a mild remonstrance on such conduct; which, being ill-received, he took his leave. Hearing that Mr. Phileas Fogg was looking for a servant, and that his life was one of unbroken regularity, that he neither travelled nor stayed from home overnight, he felt sure that this would be the place he was after. He presented himself, and was accepted, as has been seen.
At half-past eleven, then, Passepartout found himself alone in the house in Saville Row. He begun its inspection without delay, scouring it from cellar to garret. So clean, well-arranged, solemn a mansion pleased him; it seemed to him like a snail's shell, lighted and warmed by gas, which sufficed for both these purposes. When Passepartout reached the second story he recognised at once the room which he was to inhabit, and he was well satisfied with it. Electric bells and speaking-tubes afforded communication with the lower stories; while on the mantel stood an electric clock, precisely like that in Mr. Fogg's bedchamber, both beating the same second at the same instant. "That's good, that'll do," said Passepartout to himself.
He suddenly observed, hung over the clock, a card which, upon inspection, proved to be a programme of the daily routine of the house. It comprised all that was required of the servant, from eight in the morning, exactly at which hour Phileas Fogg rose, till half-past eleven, when he left the house for the Reform Club—all the details of service, the tea and toast at twenty-three minutes past eight, the shaving-water at thirty-seven minutes past nine, and the toilet at twenty minutes before ten. Everything was regulated and foreseen that was to be done from half-past eleven a.m. till midnight, the hour at which the methodical gentleman retired.
Mr. Fogg's wardrobe was amply supplied and in the best taste. Each pair of trousers, coat, and vest bore a number, indicating the time of year and season at which they were in turn to be laid out for wearing; and the same system was applied to the master's shoes. In short, the house in Saville Row, which must have been a very temple of disorder and unrest under the illustrious but dissipated Sheridan, was cosiness, comfort, and method idealised. There was no study, nor were there books, which would have been quite useless to Mr. Fogg; for at the Reform two libraries, one of general literature and the other of law and politics, were at his service. A moderate-sized safe stood in his bedroom, constructed so as to defy fire as well as burglars; but Passepartout found neither arms nor hunting weapons anywhere; everything betrayed the most tranquil and peaceable habits.
Having scrutinised the house from top to bottom, he rubbed his hands, a broad smile overspread his features, and he said joyfully, "This is just what I wanted! Ah, we shall get on together, Mr. Fogg and I! What a domestic and regular gentleman! A real machine; well, I don't mind serving a machine."
Introdução e Apresentação do Autor
Esta passagem é do romance clássico A Volta ao Mundo em Oitenta Dias, de Júlio Verne, um celebrado autor francês conhecido pelas suas obras de aventura e ficção científica. Escrito em 1873, este romance capta o espírito da Revolução Industrial e a fascinação pelas novas tecnologias e viagens globais. A imaginação vívida e as descrições detalhadas de Verne dão vida à emoção e aos desafios de uma viagem à volta do mundo numa época em que tal viagem ainda era um feito notável.
Interpretação Detalhada da História
A passagem apresenta duas personagens principais: Phileas Fogg, um homem de rotina e precisão rigorosas, e o seu recém-contratado criado, Passepartout, cuja natureza animada e flexível contrasta com a regularidade mecânica de Fogg. Fogg é retratado como um modelo de compostura e exatidão inglesas, vivendo uma vida tão ordenada que cada minuto e movimento são planeados e executados com cuidado. Passepartout, por outro lado, é uma personagem humana e calorosa, com um passado colorido e um desejo de estabilidade.
Esta abertura prepara o cenário para a aventura central do romance: a aposta de Fogg para circumnavegar o globo em oitenta dias. O contraste entre a natureza metódica de Fogg e o mundo imprevisível que ele está prestes a enfrentar cria tensão e humor ao longo da história.
O Que os Alunos Podem Aprender
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O Valor da Disciplina e da Rotina: A personagem de Phileas Fogg exemplifica o poder da disciplina. A sua pontualidade, planeamento cuidadoso e comportamento calmo mostram como a estrutura pode ajudar a alcançar objetivos ambiciosos. Os alunos podem aprender a importância da gestão do tempo e da organização nos seus estudos e na vida diária.
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Adaptabilidade e Mente Aberta: A personagem de Passepartout lembra-nos que, embora a rotina seja valiosa, a flexibilidade e a bondade são igualmente importantes. As suas experiências passadas e a sua natureza tranquila equilibram a rigidez de Fogg, ensinando os alunos a apreciar diferentes personalidades e a adaptar-se a novas situações.
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Coragem e Aventura: O romance incentiva os leitores a abraçar desafios e a sair das suas zonas de conforto. A viagem de Fogg é uma metáfora para a perseverança e a coragem, inspirando os jovens leitores a perseguir os seus sonhos, apesar dos obstáculos.
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Consciência Cultural: À medida que a história viaja por diferentes países e culturas, oferece uma janela para a diversidade do mundo. Isso amplia os horizontes dos alunos e promove o respeito por diferentes povos e tradições.
Aplicando Estas Lições na Vida
- Na Aprendizagem: Os alunos podem adotar a dedicação de Fogg, definindo metas claras e seguindo um cronograma de estudos, ao mesmo tempo que se lembram da flexibilidade de Passepartout para lidar com mudanças inesperadas ou dificuldades com graça.
- Em Ambientes Sociais: Reconhecer o valor de diferentes personalidades ajuda a construir empatia e trabalho em equipa. Assim como Fogg e Passepartout se complementam, os alunos podem aprender a trabalhar bem com colegas que têm diferentes pontos fortes.
- No Crescimento Pessoal: O espírito de aventura incentiva a curiosidade e a resiliência. Os alunos podem desafiar-se a experimentar novas atividades, viajar ou explorar novas ideias, aumentando a sua confiança e visão de mundo.
Cultivando Traços Positivos da História
- Precisão e Responsabilidade: Como Fogg, os alunos podem praticar ser responsáveis pelas suas tarefas e pontuais nos seus compromissos.
- Amizade e Apoio: Inspirado por Passepartout, mostrar bondade e apoio aos outros cria amizades fortes e um ambiente positivo.
- Resolução de Problemas: A história mostra que surgem problemas inesperados, mas o pensamento calmo e a determinação levam ao sucesso. Os alunos podem desenvolver habilidades de resolução de problemas, mantendo a calma e pensando de forma criativa.
Conclusão
A Volta ao Mundo em Oitenta Dias é mais do que apenas uma aventura emocionante; é uma rica fonte de lições sobre caráter, cultura e coragem. Ao ler e refletir sobre esta história, os alunos podem obter informações que os ajudam na escola, nos relacionamentos e nas muitas jornadas da vida. Abraçar a disciplina e a flexibilidade, respeitar a diversidade e ousar explorar o desconhecido são valores intemporais que este romance clássico transmite lindamente.
