Around the World in Eighty Days / Colonial Justice
Judge Obadiah had unfortunately caught Passepartout’s rash exclamation, which the poor fellow would have given the world to recall. “Inasmuch,” resumed the judge, “as the English law protects equally and sternly the religions of the Indian people, and as the man Passepartout has admitted that he violated the sacred pagoda of Malabar Hill, at Bombay, on the 20th of October, I condemn the said Passepartout to imprisonment for fifteen days and a fine of three hundred pounds.” “Three hundred pounds!” cried Passepartout, startled at the largeness of the sum. “And inasmuch,” continued the judge, “as it is not proved that the act was not done by the connivance of the master with the servant, and as the master in any case must be held responsible for the acts of his paid servant, I condemn Phileas Fogg to a week’s imprisonment and a fine of one hundred and fifty pounds.” Fix rubbed his hands softly with satisfaction; if Phileas Fogg could be detained in Calcutta a week, it would be more than time for the warrant to arrive. A wager of twenty thousand pounds lost, because he, like a precious fool, had gone into that abominable pagoda!
Microstory
Caught in the throes of despair, Passepartout's heart raced, his mind spiraling back to the sacred pagoda, its intricate carvings and vibrant colors now tainted by his unintended blasphemy. As the judge’s gavel fell, a chilling echo filled the courtroom, each thud marking the unbearable weight of punishment that bound him and his master. Meanwhile, Fix, an opportunistic shadow lurking in the corners, savored the moment, his lips curling into a sly grin as if he had orchestrated the unfolding chaos himself. (AI-generated story)
The interaction between Judge Obadiah and Passepartout highlights the tension between colonial authority and individual agency within the legal framework of the British Empire. By imposing a punishment on both Passepartout and Phileas Fogg, the judge underscores the collective responsibility that colonial subjects and their masters bear, illustrating a hierarchy deeply rooted in British colonial law. Furthermore, Passepartout’s shock at the fine reflects the economic disparities and cultural misunderstandings prevalent during this period. The presence of Fix, who revels in Fogg's predicament, adds a layer of intrigue and competition, emphasizing how personal interests and colonial governance intertwine. (AI-generated commentary)