First, let me warn you that the answer will vary depending on where you are in your reading. We learn different things about Phileas Fogg, the main character of Around the World in Eighty Days, as his journey progresses. Depending on where you are in your reading, your teacher may have different expectations for an answer.
We learn very early on the general characteristics of Phileas Fogg as a person. The novel opens with a description of him as a very aristocratic, polished gentleman, but some one who seems to lead a reserved, almost secretive life:
He was one of the most noticeable members of the Reform Club, though he seemed always to avoid attracting attention; an enigmatical personage, about whom little was known, except that he was a polished man of the world.
We learn early on that he seems quite wealthy; that he lives a very quiet, repetitive life; that he is single, donates to charity, and has very precise expectations. One funny detail -- which indirectly plays a large part in the entire novel -- is that on the morning of the day the novel begins, Mr. Fogg had dismissed his valet "because that luckless youth had brought him shaving-water at eighty-four degrees Fahrenheit instead of eighty-six." Because of this error, the novel's second primary character, Passepartout, has the opportunity to come into Fogg's employ. We then learn other details about Fogg as Passepartout learns them throughout their travels.
As the novel progresses, we learn that Mr. Fogg has a sense of adventure in accepting the bet to travel around the world. It is noteworthy to understand that Jules Verne was writing in the late 19th century, at the time of the Industrial Revolution. In Around the World in 80 Days, Fogg's journey illustrates society's fascination at the time with the growth of industry and the power of machines. By accepting the bet, Fogg demonstrates this quality as well.
Moving on, a mystery begins to grow about just who Phileas Fogg is, as a robbery has occurred back in London, and people begin to suspect that perhaps Phileas Fogg arranged the bet and set out on his journey because he, himself, was the bank robber and is using the journey as a getaway.
In India, we see conflicting elements of Fogg's character. At one point, he somewhat heartlessly leaves Passepartout behind when Passepartout gets detained by local authorities for desecrating a shrine. But then later, Fogg jeopardizes his schedule in order to go out of the way to save a young girl who is about to be ritually sacrificed. In this episode, we see the most humanity in Fogg's character as at any other time in the journey.
So... that's just a start. You have a lot more to choose from throughout the entire novel. For a full review, check out the .com summary at:
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