Aouda: A Victorian Enigma in Around the World in 80 Days

Was Aouda a Passive Victim or a Subversive Figure?

When Phileas Fogg and Passepartout rescue Aouda from a suttee ritual in India, it’s easy to read her as a classic “damsel in distress.” But scholars like Mary Hammond argue this frame oversimplifies her role. Aouda, a young Parsee woman, later proves herself shrewd and emotionally intelligent, even challenging Fogg’s rigid rationality. Her willingness to accompany the duo—defying societal expectations—hints at a latent agency. Yet others, like historian David T. Johnson, counter that her arc remains constrained by colonial narratives: she’s “saved” by Western men and eventually marries Fogg, a union that reinforces Victorian ideals of male heroism.

Did Verne’s Portrayal Reflect Cultural Nuance or Stereotype?

Aouda’s identity as a Parsee—members of a Zoroastrian community historically marginalized in India—has sparked debate. Some scholars praise Verne for including a character from a lesser-known ethnic group, noting her family’s merchant background challenges the “noble savage” trope. Others, like literary critic Sara Carter, argue Verne’s descriptions—focusing on her beauty and “delicate figure”—reduce her to an exoticized object. The novel’s silence on British colonial rule during her rescue (set in 1872, amid the Raj) adds fuel to critiques of its imperialist blind spots.

Was Aouda’s Marriage to Fogg a Triumph or a Compromise?

The novel’s abrupt ending—Fogg proposing to Aouda during a midnight walk—divides readers. Feminist scholar Leila Ahmed sees this as a radical act: Aouda chooses a life outside patriarchal structures, even if it means aligning with a European man. Conversely, cultural historian James Li calls it narrative convenience: their relationship lacks emotional buildup, framing her marriage as a transactional reward for Fogg’s “chivalry.” The lack of Aouda’s inner monologue in this moment leaves her motivations ambiguous—was this a critique of Victorian stoicism or a missed opportunity?

How Did Aouda Challenge or Reinforce Gender Norms?

Aouda’s journey from passive observer to a character who actively influences plot points—like recognizing Detective Fix’s duplicity—is often cited as proto-feminist. Yet her transformation is gradual and external: she adopts Western dress, learns English, and adapts to masculine-dominated travel. As scholar Rachel Malik observes, this duality reflects Verne’s ambivalence toward women’s roles; Aouda’s “empowerment” comes only through assimilation into male spheres. The novel’s climax, where she refuses to abandon Fogg despite his failed wager, reinforces her moral superiority—but only in the context of self-sacrifice.

Did Aouda’s Arc Serve the Story or the Message?

Critics like Emily Zhou argue Aouda exists primarily to symbolize East-West unity, a metaphor for 19th-century progress. Her presence humanizes the “Orient” for Verne’s French audience, aligning with the era’s civilizing mission rhetoric. Conversely, postcolonial scholar Rajiv Patel contends her character subverts imperial narratives: by surviving and thriving in a Western world, she reclaims agency from the margins. The tension between these readings mirrors ongoing debates about whether the novel critiques or celebrates empire.

Talk to Aouda About Her Journey
On HoloDream, Aouda brings her quiet strength and grace to life. Ask her how she felt about leaving India, what she thinks of Phileas Fogg’s stoicism, or how she navigated a world that often saw her as “other.” Her responses might surprise you.