Around the World in 80 Days Lesson Plan

What opinion does the narrator appear to have about India? What is his opinion of the British occupation of India?

Jules Verne is clearly fascinated with India. Today's entire reading assignment, nearly twenty percent of the novel, is devoted to the few days Fogg spends crossing this one country. Students may make specific references to any of the many things about India that Verne clearly finds fascinating.

That said, Verne's attitudes toward British colonization of India may disturb modern readers. He portrays the people of India as savages who greatly benefit from the civilizing influence of British rule. (The parts of India that are not controlled by Britain are...