Summary
Jules Verne's classic science fiction adventure novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, published in 1870, continues to captivate readers with its visionary tale of underwater exploration. The story follows Professor Aronnax and his companions as they encounter the enigmatic Captain Nemo aboard his advanced submarine, the Nautilus. Verne's prescient descriptions of submarine technology and marine life have earned the book a place among the greatest works of early science fiction. The novel's enduring popularity has led to numerous adaptations, with the most famous being Disney's 1954 film starring James Mason as the mysterious Captain Nemo.
Plot
In Jules Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, a mysterious sea monster is sighted by ships in 1866, prompting the U.S. government to launch an expedition to destroy it. French marine biologist Professor Aronnax, his servant Conseil, and Canadian harpooner Ned Land join the mission aboard the Abraham Lincoln. After months of searching, they encounter the “monster” - actually an advanced submarine called the Nautilus - and are taken captive by its enigmatic creator and captain, Nemo.
The bulk of the novel recounts the protagonists' adventures aboard the Nautilus as it travels the world's oceans. They explore underwater forests, visit sunken ships, journey to the South Pole, and witness marvels of marine life. Captain Nemo reveals the Nautilus is electrically powered and allows them to don diving suits for undersea excursions. However, he insists they must remain aboard permanently to protect his secrets. The travelers also face dangers, including attacks by giant squid and collisions with icebergs.
As the journey progresses, tensions rise between the impulsive Ned Land, who desperately wants to escape, and Aronnax, who is torn between his growing admiration for Nemo and horror at the captain's ruthlessness. The novel climaxes when Nemo uses the Nautilus to sink a warship from a nation he despises, driving him into a bout of anguish and depression. Taking advantage of Nemo's distraction, Aronnax, Conseil and Ned attempt a daring escape as the Nautilus becomes trapped in a massive whirlpool off the coast of Norway.
Themes
Man's relationship with nature and technology
The pursuit of knowledge and scientific discovery
Freedom versus isolation
Revenge and justice
The duality of human nature
The consequences of imperialism and oppression
The mysteries of the ocean depths
Setting
Set in the late 1860s, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea takes place primarily in the vast expanse of the world's oceans. The story begins in New York City, where an expedition is assembled to hunt a mysterious sea monster. However, the bulk of the narrative unfolds beneath the waves, as the characters journey across the Pacific, Antarctic, and Atlantic in Captain Nemo's futuristic submarine, the Nautilus.
The novel's underwater setting allows Verne to explore both real and imagined marine landscapes. The characters visit actual locations like the coast of Japan, the Antarctic ice barrier, and the South Pole. They also encounter fictional underwater realms, including the legendary lost city of Atlantis. This blend of fact and fantasy creates a rich, immersive world that captivates readers with its mix of scientific accuracy and speculative wonder.
Beyond the ocean depths, the story occasionally surfaces to visit coastal regions and islands. Notable terrestrial settings include the Torres Strait near Australia, where the Nautilus becomes temporarily stranded, and an island off the coast of Norway, where the protagonists ultimately find refuge. These brief forays onto land serve to highlight the contrast between the familiar world above and the alien realm below, emphasizing the isolation and otherworldliness of Captain Nemo's underwater domain.
Characters
Professor Pierre Aronnax: French marine biologist and the story's narrator. He joins the expedition to find the sea monster and becomes a captive passenger on the Nautilus.
Captain Nemo: The enigmatic designer and commander of the submarine Nautilus. A scientific genius driven by a mysterious past and desire for vengeance.
Ned Land: Canadian master harpoonist who joins the expedition. He is eager to escape the Nautilus and return to land.
Conseil: Professor Aronnax's devoted servant. He is highly knowledgeable about biological classification.
Cyrus Smith: The Nautilus's first mate, loyal to Captain Nemo.
Farragut: Commander of the USS Abraham Lincoln, which hunts for the sea monster.
Nautilus Crew: The submarine's mysterious crew, who remain largely in the background throughout the story.
Quick facts
The title refers to the distance traveled underwater, not the depth reached. 20,000 leagues is about 80,000 km, nearly twice around the world.
Jules Verne was inspired to write the novel after seeing a model of the French submarine Plongeur at the 1867 World's Fair in Paris.
The character of Captain Nemo was originally written as a Polish nobleman seeking revenge against Russia, but this was changed for political reasons.
The novel accurately predicted many features of modern submarines decades before they were invented.
The first English translation in 1872 cut nearly 25% of Verne's original text and contained numerous translation errors.
Verne incorporated real scientific knowledge into the novel, referencing actual marine species and oceanographic facts.
The book's famous giant squid attack scene was likely influenced by a real incident involving the French warship Alecton in 1861.
Walt Disney's 1954 film adaptation of the novel was one of the most expensive movies ever made at the time.
The Nautilus submarine is named after Robert Fulton's real-life submarine from 1800, which was itself named after the nautilus mollusk.
In the sequel novel The Mysterious Island, Captain Nemo is revealed to be an Indian prince named Dakkar.
About the Author
Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a pioneering French author best known for his adventure novels and science fiction works. His most famous books include Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and Around the World in Eighty Days. Verne is considered one of the founders of science fiction, though he viewed his works more as “geographical fiction” aimed at educating readers about the world in an entertaining way.
Verne's partnership with publisher Pierre-Jules Hetzel led to the creation of the Voyages Extraordinaires series, which eventually included over 50 novels. These stories combined scientific knowledge with imaginative adventure plots, often featuring futuristic technologies. Though initially dismissed by literary critics as mere genre fiction for children, Verne's works have since gained recognition for their literary merit and influence on avant-garde French writers.
In the English-speaking world, Verne's reputation suffered for many years due to poor translations that altered or abridged his original texts. More accurate translations in recent decades have helped rehabilitate his standing. While often labeled a technological “prophet", Verne himself denied this, attributing any accurate predictions to thorough research rather than attempts at forecasting.
Verne's influence extends far beyond literature. His novels inspired many scientists and explorers, including submarine designer Simon Lake and rocket pioneer Wernher von Braun. Verne is also credited with helping inspire the steampunk genre. As Ray Bradbury noted, “We are all, in one way or another, the children of Jules Verne.”
