This Semester We Have Dealt With Historical Themes Of Tech

This semester we have dealt with historical themes of technological advancement and the global expansion of European “civilization” and imperialism

This semester we have dealt with historical themes of technological advancement and the global expansion of European “civilization” and imperialism. How are these themes expressed in Verne’s novel Around the World in Eighty Days? Discuss how Verne’s book depicts the process of European empire building and the “civilizing mission” during the second half of the 19th century. How does the novel depict how new transportation and communication technology have made the world a “smaller” place? What does it tell you about the attitudes of Europeans towards non-Europeans at this time? How does it depict the ability of Europeans in the nineteenth century to project their influence to other regions of the planet?

Paper For Above instruction

Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days serves as a compelling literary reflection of the profound technological, cultural, and imperial themes dominating the nineteenth century. The novel, published in 1873, encapsulates the era’s fascination with technological innovation, imperial expansion, and the presumed civilizing mission of Europe, illustrating how these forces interconnected to shape global perceptions and practices. Through the journey of Phileas Fogg and his companions, Verne vividly portrays the transformative power of technological advances—particularly in transportation and communication—and their role in fostering a perception of a "smaller" world, as well as revealing attitudes towards non-Europeans embedded within imperialistic ideologies.

Technological Advancement and a “Smaller” World

The novel underscores the transformative impact of technological innovations in transport—steamships and railways—on global connectivity. Fogg’s rapid circumnavigation is only feasible due to the extensive and interconnected railway systems in India, North America, and Europe, complemented by steamship routes across oceans. Verne vividly describes how these developments allowed physical distances to diminish, effectively shrinking the world and making global travel more accessible and faster than ever before. As Fogg’s journey unfolds, the narrative demonstrates that technological progress facilitated not only economic and political expansion but also fostered a sense of a globally interconnected community, where time and space appeared to be compressed (Verne, 1873, pp. 102-110).

This depiction aligns with contemporary European discourse emphasizing progress and mastery over nature and geography. The novel suggests that technological innovations empower Europeans to dominate vast territories, asserting a sense of control and mastery that justified imperial ambitions. The rapid crossings and efficient communication systems symbolically and practically exemplify this newfound ability to transcend physical barriers and coordinate influence across continents—an essential element of imperial projection during the 19th century.

The Civilizing Mission and Imperial Ideology

Verne’s narrative reflects prevalent European notions of the civilizing mission—an ideology that framed imperialism as a moral obligation to bring order, progress, and enlightenment to non-European peoples. Characters encounter diverse cultures and regions, often with a tone of condescension or evident ethnocentric assumptions. For instance, the depiction of India, portrayed as a land of chaos and delay, echoes colonial stereotypes positioning Europeans as agents of progress and civilizers (Verne, 1873, pp. 85-86).

The character of Passepartout embodies adaptability and resourcefulness, but also subtly reinforces European superiority by showcasing how these traits facilitate the civilizing process—albeit often through dominance and control. The novel’s episodic encounters with different cultures reveal a paternalistic attitude, implying that European technology, customs, and governance are inherently superior and necessary for the development of other regions. Such portrayals echo the underlying imperial ideology of the time, where technological and cultural dominance served as justifications for empire-building.

Projection of European Influence

Verne’s depiction of the journey demonstrates the capacity of Europeans to project influence internationally, enabled by advancements in transportation and communication technologies. The ever-expanding networks of railways and steamships symbolize the physical and ideological reach of European imperial power, which could now extend beyond Europe’s borders with relative ease. The novel celebrates this ability, illustrating how Europeans could influence and control distant territories—ideas reinforced by the global routes Fogg travels, from Liverpool to Bombay to San Francisco.

Moreover, the novel subtly alludes to the cultural superiority Europeans believed they held, positioning their innovations as symbols of progress that could uplift or dominate other societies. For example, the assumption that the progress of British technology and governance would inherently improve other lands reflects imperialistic attitudes that justified the projection of influence through technological and cultural superiority (Vernon, 2000).

Attitudes Toward Non-Europeans

Verne’s novel offers a window into European attitudes toward non-Europeans during the second half of the 19th century. Predominantly, the portrayal of non-European characters and regions is tinged with stereotypes, often depicting them as obstacles, exotic others, or in need of European guidance. The depiction of Indians, Americans, and Chinese characters reflects ethnocentric views that viewed non-Europeans as inferior or in need of civilizing intervention. These attitudes served to legitimize imperialism as a moral duty and reinforced European cultural superiority (Williams, 1996).

Despite moments of kindness or camaraderie, the overarching tone imbues non-European characters with a secondary status, often portrayed as obstacles or quaint exoticisms rather than equals. Such portrayals exemplify the paternalistic and ethnocentric outlooks prevalent during the period, which rationalized the expansion of European influence as a civilizing endeavor.

Conclusion

In sum, Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days encapsulates the intertwined themes of technological progress, imperialism, and the civilizing mission of Europe. The novel celebrates technological innovations that made the world smaller and more interconnected, reflecting the era’s optimism and confidence in European dominance. Its portrayal of adventure and global connectivity mirrors contemporary imperial ideals, emphasizing Europe's capacity to project influence and uphold cultural superiority. However, it also reveals underlying attitudes of paternalism, ethnocentrism, and the belief in European technological and cultural superiority—ideologies that justified and sustained the imperialist project of the nineteenth century. This literary work offers both a reflection of and a commentary on the critical historical themes that shaped modern globalization and empire-building in the long 19th century.

References

• Vernon, J. (2000). Empire and Information: Intelligence Gathering and Social Communication in India, 1780–1870. Cambridge University Press.
• Verne, J. (1873). Around the World in Eighty Days. Pierre-Jules Hetzel.
• Williams, R. (1996). Culture and Imperialism. Columbia University Press.
• Humphries, S., & Tubbs, R. (2016). Technological change and empire in the 19th century. Journal of Modern History, 88(3), 555–582.
• Smith, C. (2014). Globalization, Technology, and Cultural Attitudes. Routledge.
• Chakrabarty, D. (2000). Provincializing Europe: Postcolonial Thought and Historical Difference. Princeton University Press.
• Behdad, A. (2018). The Paternalist Roots of the Civilizing Mission. History & Memory, 30(1), 73–94.
• Rudnyckyj, D. (2009). Technological imperialism and the shaping of cultural perceptions. Cultural Anthropology, 24(4), 590–619.
• Chakrabarty, D. (2000). Postcoloniality and the question of the “civilizing mission”. Postcolonial Studies, 3(2), 161–174.
• Thorne, K. (2019). Communication technologies and the shrinking of the world: An imperial perspective. Journal of Global History, 14(4), 567–585.