Everybody knows that the great reversed triangle of land, with its base in the north and its apex in the south, which is called India, embraces fourteen hundred thousand square miles, upon which is spread unequally a population of one hundred and eighty millions of souls. The British Crown exercises a real and despotic dominion over the larger portion of this vast country, and has a governor–general stationed at Calcutta, governors at Madras, Bombay, and in Bengal, and a lieutenant–governor at Agra.
But British India, properly so called, only embraces seven hundred thousand square miles, and a population of from one hundred to one hundred and ten millions of inhabitants. A considerable portion of India is still free from British authority; and there are certain ferocious rajahs in the interior who are absolutely independent. The celebrated East India Company was all–powerful from 1756, when the English first gained a foothold on the spot where now stands the city of Madras, down to the time of the great Sepoy insurrection. It gradually annexed province after province, purchasing them of the native chiefs, whom it seldom paid, and appointed the governor–general and his subordinates, civil and military. But the East India Company has now passed away, leaving the British possessions in India directly under the control of the Crown. The aspect of the country, as well as the manners and distinctions of race, is daily changing.
Formerly one was obliged to travel in India by the old cumbrous methods of going on foot or on horseback, in palanquins or unwieldy coaches; now fast steamboats ply on the Indus and the Ganges, and a great railway, with branch lines joining the main line at many points on its route, traverses the peninsula from Bombay to Calcutta in three days. This railway does not run in a direct line across India. The distance between Bombay and Calcutta, as the bird flies, is only from one thousand to eleven hundred miles; but the deflections of the road increase this distance by more than a third.
The general route of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway is as follows: Leaving Bombay, it passes through Salcette, crossing to the continent opposite Tannah, goes over the chain of the Western Ghauts, runs thence north–east as far as Burhampoor, skirts the nearly independent territory of Bundelcund, ascends to Allahabad, turns thence eastwardly, meeting the Ganges at Benares, then departs from the river a little, and, descending south–eastward by Burdivan and the French town of Chandernagor, has its terminus at Calcutta.
The passengers of the Mongolia went ashore at half–past four p.m.; at exactly eight the train would start for Calcutta.
Mr. Fogg, after bidding good–bye to his whist partners, left the steamer, gave his servant several errands to do, urged it upon him to be at the station promptly at eight, and, with his regular step, which beat to the second, like an astronomical clock, directed his steps to the passport office. As for the wonders of Bombay its famous city hall, its splendid library, its forts and docks, its bazaars, mosques, synagogues, its Armenian churches, and the noble pagoda on Malabar Hill, with its two polygonal towers—he cared not a straw to see them. He would not deign to examine even the masterpieces of Elephanta, or the mysterious hypogea, concealed south–east from the docks, or those fine remains of Buddhist architecture, the Kanherian grottoes of the island of Salcette.
Having transacted his business at the passport office, Phileas Fogg repaired quietly to the railway station, where he ordered dinner. Among the dishes served up to him, the landlord especially recommended a certain giblet of "native rabbit," on which he prided himself.
Mr. Fogg accordingly tasted the dish, but, despite its spiced sauce, found it far from palatable. He rang for the landlord, and, on his appearance, said, fixing his clear eyes upon him, "Is this rabbit, sir?"
"Yes, my lord," the rogue boldly replied, "rabbit from the jungles."
"And this rabbit did not mew when he was killed?"
"Mew, my lord! What, a rabbit mew! I swear to you—"
"Be so good, landlord, as not to swear, but remember this: cats were formerly considered, in India, as sacred animals. That was a good time."
"For the cats, my lord?"
"Perhaps for the travellers as well!"
After which Mr. Fogg quietly continued his dinner. Fix had gone on shore shortly after Mr. Fogg, and his first destination was the headquarters of the Bombay police. He made himself known as a London detective, told his business at Bombay, and the position of affairs relative to the supposed robber, and nervously asked if a warrant had arrived from London. It had not reached the office; indeed, there had not yet been time for it to arrive. Fix was sorely disappointed, and tried to obtain an order of arrest from the director of the Bombay police. This the director refused, as the matter concerned the London office, which alone could legally deliver the warrant. Fix did not insist, and was fain to resign himself to await the arrival of the important document; but he was determined not to lose sight of the mysterious rogue as long as he stayed in Bombay. He did not doubt for a moment, any more than Passepartout, that Phileas Fogg would remain there, at least until it was time for the warrant to arrive.
Passepartout, however, had no sooner heard his master's orders on leaving the Mongolia than he saw at once that they were to leave Bombay as they had done Suez and Paris, and that the journey would be extended at least as far as Calcutta, and perhaps beyond that place. He began to ask himself if this bet that Mr. Fogg talked about was not really in good earnest, and whether his fate was not in truth forcing him, despite his love of repose, around the world in eighty days!
Having purchased the usual quota of shirts and shoes, he took a leisurely promenade about the streets, where crowds of people of many nationalities—Europeans, Persians with pointed caps, Banyas with round turbans, Sindes with square bonnets, Parsees with black mitres, and long–robed Armenians—were collected. It happened to be the day of a Parsee festival. These descendants of the sect of Zoroaster—the most thrifty, civilised, intelligent, and austere of the East Indians, among whom are counted the richest native merchants of Bombay—were celebrating a sort of religious carnival, with processions and shows, in the midst of which Indian dancing–girls, clothed in rose–coloured gauze, looped up with gold and silver, danced airily, but with perfect modesty, to the sound of viols and the clanging of tambourines. It is needless to say that Passepartout watched these curious ceremonies with staring eyes and gaping mouth, and that his countenance was that of the greenest booby imaginable.
Unhappily for his master, as well as himself, his curiosity drew him unconsciously farther off than he intended to go. At last, having seen the Parsee carnival wind away in the distance, he was turning his steps towards the station, when he happened to espy the splendid pagoda on Malabar Hill, and was seized with an irresistible desire to see its interior. He was quite ignorant that it is forbidden to Christians to enter certain Indian temples, and that even the faithful must not go in without first leaving their shoes outside the door. It may be said here that the wise policy of the British Government severely punishes a disregard of the practices of the native religions.
Passepartout, however, thinking no harm, went in like a simple tourist, and was soon lost in admiration of the splendid Brahmin ornamentation which everywhere met his eyes, when of a sudden he found himself sprawling on the sacred flagging. He looked up to behold three enraged priests, who forthwith fell upon him; tore off his shoes, and began to beat him with loud, savage exclamations. The agile Frenchman was soon upon his feet again, and lost no time in knocking down two of his long–gowned adversaries with his fists and a vigorous application of his toes; then, rushing out of the pagoda as fast as his legs could carry him, he soon escaped the third priest by mingling with the crowd in the streets.
At five minutes before eight, Passepartout, hatless, shoeless, and having in the squabble lost his package of shirts and shoes, rushed breathlessly into the station.
Fix, who had followed Mr. Fogg to the station, and saw that he was really going to leave Bombay, was there, upon the platform. He had resolved to follow the supposed robber to Calcutta, and farther, if necessary. Passepartout did not observe the detective, who stood in an obscure corner; but Fix heard him relate his adventures in a few words to Mr. Fogg.
"I hope that this will not happen again," said Phileas Fogg coldly, as he got into the train. Poor Passepartout, quite crestfallen, followed his master without a word. Fix was on the point of entering another carriage, when an idea struck him which induced him to alter his plan.
"No, I'll stay," muttered he. "An offence has been committed on Indian soil. I've got my man."
Just then the locomotive gave a sharp screech, and the train passed out into the darkness of the night.
Введение: Предыстория и автор
Этот отрывок взят из классического приключенческого романа Вокруг света за восемьдесят дней Жюля Верна, знаменитого французского писателя, известного своими новаторскими и полными воображения произведениями в жанре научной фантастики и приключенческой литературы. Написанный в 1873 году, роман отражает дух увлечения XIX века исследованиями, технологиями и уменьшением мира благодаря достижениям в области транспорта. Яркие описания и захватывающий сюжет Верна сделали эту историю вневременным фаворитом для читателей всех возрастов.
Детальная интерпретация и значение истории
В отрывке описывается путешествие Филеаса Фогга и его слуги Паспарту по Британской Индии, подчеркивающее культурное разнообразие, колониальный контекст и быструю модернизацию эпохи, такую как появление железных дорог и пароходов. Повествование не только демонстрирует физическое путешествие, но и столкновение и смешение культур, сложности колониального правления и проблемы, с которыми сталкиваются путешественники в чужих странах.
Персонаж Филеаса Фогга воплощает точность, решительность и спокойствие в стрессовых ситуациях, в то время как Паспарту обеспечивает человеческий, часто юмористический взгляд, реагируя на незнакомые обычаи и окружающую среду. В рассказе также появляется детектив Фикс, который подозревает Фогга в преступлении, добавляя напряженности и интриги.
Уроки и идеи для студентов и юных читателей
- Любопытство и непредвзятость: Увлечение Паспарту праздником парсов и индийской культурой побуждает читателей ценить и уважать культурное разнообразие. Это учит ценности любопытства, уравновешенного с чувствительностью к местным обычаям и традициям.
- Настойчивость и управление временем: Пунктуальность и неуклонный прогресс Фогга отражают важность дисциплины и тщательного планирования в достижении целей. Это может вдохновить студентов эффективно управлять своим временем в учебе и личных делах.
- Адаптируемость: Путешествие по разным странам и культурам показывает необходимость адаптироваться к новым условиям и ситуациям, что является жизненно важным навыком в современном глобализированном мире.
- Справедливость и мораль: Сюжетная линия с детективом Фиксом поднимает вопросы о справедливости, подозрительности и истине, поощряя критическое мышление о честности и последствиях предположений.
Применение в повседневной жизни, учебе и социальном взаимодействии
- В учебе: Студенты могут подражать методичному подходу Фогга к решению задач, разбивая задачи и сохраняя концентрацию, несмотря на отвлекающие факторы или неудачи.
- В социальных условиях: Опыт Паспарту напоминает нам о необходимости быть уважительными и наблюдательными при столкновении с разными культурами или мнениями, способствуя развитию эмпатии и социальной гармонии.
- В личностном росте: История поощряет принятие нового опыта с мужеством и смирением, извлечение уроков из ошибок и твердость в своих ценностях, как у Фогга.
Развитие положительных черт из истории
- Дисциплина: Практикуйте пунктуальность и ставьте четкие цели, чтобы повысить надежность.
- Любопытство: Изучайте новые предметы и культуры с открытым сердцем, но также стремитесь понимать и уважать границы.
- Мужество: Смело встречайте вызовы, как Паспарту, убегающий от священников, проявляя стойкость.
- Честность: Как и Фогг, сохраняйте честность и спокойствие даже под подозрением или давлением.
Заключение
Вокруг света за восемьдесят дней — это больше, чем захватывающее приключение; это богатый источник жизненных уроков и культурного понимания. Читая и размышляя над историей, студенты могут развивать глобальное мировоззрение, улучшать личную дисциплину и воспитывать качества, которые помогут им добиться успеха в учебе и в социуме. Эта классическая сказка приглашает юных читателей мечтать по-крупному, широко исследовать и мудро действовать.
