Passepartout (character)

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Passepartout is a character in Jules Verne's novel, Around the World in Eighty Days. He is valet to the novel's English protagonist, Phileas Fogg.

At the beginning of the novel, Passepartout has just been hired by Phileas Fogg after Fogg's previous valet failed to meet his exacting standards. Passepartout, who has lived an irregular and well-travelled life, is looking forward to a restful employment, as Fogg is known for his regular habits which never him farther afield than the Reform Club. Ironically, on Passepartout's first day at work, Fogg makes a bet with his friends at the Club that he can circumnavigate the world in no more than eighty days, and Passepartout is obliged to accompany him.

The character of Passepartout serves several purposes in the narrative: as a point-of-view character for Verne's French readers, and as comic relief, both in his reactions to the strange places and events he encounters, and in a tendency to get trapped, abducted, or (on at least one occasion) left behind.

[edit] Movies

• In the 1956 film version, Around the World in Eighty Days, Passepartout was played by the actor Cantinflas.

• In the more loosely-adapted 2004 film version, Around the World in 80 Days, Passepartout was a fugitive Chinese man played by Jackie Chan.