Style and Technique
Verne often weaves scientific explanations into the storyline, such as when Nemo and Aronnax use their understanding of tides and the moon to free the Nautilus after it becomes stranded. However, the novel's tension is sometimes diminished by an excess of scientific details, like lengthy lists of fish or plants categorized by class, order, genus, and species. At times, Aronnax appears to be merely reciting his knowledge as he looks out the Nautilus's windows.
Nonetheless, Verne's passionate portrayal of science and technology is a significant strength of the book. He meticulously researched contemporary submarine technology, examining Robert Fulton's early designs and the Confederate submarines' plans, such as the Hunley, used during the Civil War. To enhance the authenticity of his descriptions, Verne consulted with engineers who had laid the Atlantic cable about the unusual marine life they encountered. This attention to detail is what categorizes Verne's novel as science fiction, rather than fantasy. Verne's influence on the genre is profound, with modern science fiction authors continuing to adopt many of his methods.
Historical Context
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in many respects foreshadowed the submarine warfare that emerged in World War I and was further developed in World War II. The adventures of the Nautilus prompt readers to reflect on how technological progress can be both beneficial and harmful; it has the power to create as well as to destroy. Of perhaps more immediate social relevance are Verne's ideas about ecology, highlighting the balance and interconnectedness of all elements within the natural world. Verne conveys a belief that a comprehensive scientific understanding of nature will enable humanity to coexist harmoniously with the environment, allowing us to utilize its bounty without exhausting the planet's resources. These concepts are currently at the forefront of debates on issues ranging from industrial pollution to the destruction of the Amazonian rainforests.
Setting
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea captures the imagination with its dual settings of the open oceans and the confines of the Nautilus, a marvel of mechanical engineering. The narrative follows a transformational journey, both geographical and personal, beginning in New York and stretching to the serene vistas of Norway, while delving into the mysterious underwater realms. Jules Verne expertly crafts a tale where the natural and technological worlds collide, creating both a source of endless wonder and a complex prison for its characters.
The Ingenious Nautilus
At the core of this underwater adventure is the Nautilus, an extraordinary submarine that transcends the technological limits of its era. Conceived by the reclusive Captain Nemo, the vessel is a testament to human ingenuity and ambition. Measuring between two to three hundred feet, it is an electric-powered leviathan capable of incredible feats, such as diving to unfathomable depths and navigating at unprecedented speeds. Within its confines, the Nautilus houses a vast repository of scientific knowledge in the form of a library, an art museum, and a variety of oceanic specimens, reflecting Nemo’s passion for discovery and culture. An unexpected centerpiece within is the organ, an instrument played by Nemo himself, enriching the vessel with an element of unexpected elegance.
Exploring the Ocean Depths
The Nautilus serves as a window to the hidden wonders of the ocean. Designed with expansive windows secured by protective shields, it offers its occupants, such as Aronnax, Conseil, and Ned Land, unprecedented views of marine life and underwater landscapes. Inside the dry sanctuary of the submarine, they embark on scientific explorations without departing its safe haven. Equipped with advanced technology resembling aqualungs, the crew is able to traverse the ocean floor, collecting resources and experiencing the underwater world, blurring the lines between adventure and...
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scientific pursuit.
A Floating Prison
Despite its wonders, the Nautilus is not merely a vessel of discovery but also one of confinement. Captain Nemo’s vow to never return to land transforms the submarine into a paradoxical existence, both a sanctuary and a prison. For the three survivors of the USS Abraham Lincoln—Aronnax, Conseil, and Ned Land—the initial thrill of exploration soon gives way to the reality of their imprisonment. Their world shrinks to the boundaries of the submarine, and the freedom they once knew becomes a distant memory, reinforcing the theme of isolation in the midst of vastness.
Nemo’s Solitary World
For Captain Nemo, life aboard the Nautilus represents a self-imposed exile from the terrestrial world, embodying his inner conflict and detachment from humanity. The submarine’s silent passages and endless immersion in the ocean depths mirror Nemo’s own solitude and introspection. As the Nautilus journeys through the seas, it becomes a reflection of its captain’s complex relationship with the world—a blend of scientific curiosity and a quest for escape from societal constraints. The vessel, therefore, is not just a setting, but a living embodiment of Nemo’s deepest fears and desires, enhancing the narrative’s depth and intrigue.
The USS Abraham Lincoln
The journey begins with the USS Abraham Lincoln, an American naval frigate tasked with investigating reports of a mysterious sea creature wreaking havoc on the high seas. Commanded by Commodore Farragut, the ship sets sail, only to encounter not a beast, but the mechanical wonder of the Nautilus. The unexpected meeting occurs after a grueling search across the Atlantic and Pacific, culminating two hundred miles off the coast of Japan, where the Nautilus sinks the frigate. Out of the wreckage emerge three survivors: scientist Pierre Aronnax, his servant Conseil, and skilled harpooner Ned Land, who are then taken aboard the submarine.
The Nautilus and the Oceans' Mysteries
The Nautilus takes its involuntary passengers on a global tour of the seas, transforming the oceans from a threatening wilderness into a realm of endless potential. To most, these waters are hostile and mysterious, yet to Captain Nemo, they are the "Living Infinite," a source of sustenance and wealth. From these waters, he extracts not only the basics of survival but also treasures from shipwrecks and the legendary city of Atlantis, accumulating enough riches to "pay the national debt of France." Despite their confinement, Aronnax and his companions are afforded the luxury of exploring beneath the South Pole, venturing through the mythical Atlantis, and navigating through a hidden passage under the Isthmus of Suez.
Throughout its voyages, the Nautilus transforms the ocean's depths into a canvas for high adventure, where its passengers engage in hunting, escape perilous attacks, and ultimately grapple with the wrath of the natural world, such as the maelstrom off Norway’s coast. It is from this tumultuous environment that they eventually break free, returning to the society they once knew, forever changed by their experiences beneath the waves. The Nautilus, in its dual role as both vessel and setting, stands as a testament to the power of technology to transcend boundaries, blending exploration with existential reflection in Verne's timeless tale.
Bibliography
Commire, Anne, ed. Something About the Author. Vol. 21. Detroit: Gale Research, 1980. The article on Verne provides essential details about his life and includes a list of editions and adaptations of his works.
Scholes, Robert, and Eric S. Rabkin. Science Fiction: History, Science, Vision. London: Oxford University Press, 1977. Verne is portrayed as a writer to be admired for his creativity rather than his storytelling abilities.
Suvin, Darko. Metamorphoses of Science Fiction. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1979. This Marxist analysis explores Verne's early socialist concepts.
Verne, Jean Jules. Jules Verne: A Biography. Translated by Roger Greaves. New York: Taplinger, 1976. Notably intriguing are Verne's letters to his editor, Hetzel, which reveal the political influences that shaped the character of Nemo.
