Jean Passepartout

Jean Passepartout is a character in Jules Verne's novel, Around the World in Eighty Days. He is the French valet to the novel's English protagonist, Phileas Fogg. His name translates literally to "Goes-Everywhere", but means "skeleton key" in French.

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 take 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. In addition to the wager, the valet has an additional incentive to complete the journey quickly: He left a gaslight burning in his room and the resulting expense of wasted gas will be docked from his salary.

In the journey, Passepartout plays a critical role in Fogg's adventures, such as rescuing Aouda from a forced sati, and makes friends with the pursuing detective, Mr. Fix. Passepartout discovers that Fix suspects Fogg of robbing a bank, but decides to keep that information to himself, since his employer seemed to have a busy enough agenda without having to deal with that worry. Unfortunately, Passepartout realizes too late that this means Fogg does not have the opportunity to discuss the allegation with the detective and prove his innocence before returning to Britain and being arrested on the spot by Fix. Finally, when the group arrives in London seemingly too late, it is Passepartout who discovers his employer actually still has time to complete his journey and win his wager.

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.

Other appearances

• In the 1956 film version, Around the World in Eighty Days, Passepartout was played by the actor Cantinflas.
• In Philip José Farmer's 1973 novel The Other Log of Phileas Fogg, Passepartout is merely a code-name. Like Phileas Fogg, Passepartout is actually an agent of the Eridanians, a race of aliens hiding on Earth and opposed to the Capellans, whose servants include Captain Nemo and Professor Moriarty.
• In the 1981 animated adaptation, Around the World with Willy Fog, which depicts the cast as anthropomorphic animals, Passepartout is renamed Rigadon (although he is named Passepartout in some translations), and emphasis is placed on his background as a former circus performer, hence, his desire to get away from a lifestyle that involves much travel. This adaptation also graces Rigadon with a companion in the form of Tico, his circus partner, offering the character someone he can interact with on his own level. Rigadon was voiced by Cam Clarke.
• In the 1989 television mini-series, Around the World in 80 Days, the role is played by Eric Idle.
• In Kevin J. Anderson's 2002 novel Captain Nemo: The Fantastic History of a Dark Genius, he is one of the officials captured by Robur during the Crimean War, along with Captain Nemo and Cyrus Smith.
• In the more loosely-adapted 2004 film version, Around the World in 80 Days, Passepartout was a Chinese fugitive whose real name is Lau Xing, who took the name to avoid custody by the English authorities. He was played by Jackie Chan.
• In The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne he is played by Michel Courtemanche.

References