Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is a science fiction adventure novel by French author Jules Verne. It was originally published in serialized form in 1869 under the title Vingt mille lieues sous les mers, and later as a book in 1870. In 1873, the first English-language translation was released. The book was highly acclaimed at the time of its publication and was one of several successful novels by Verne. Others include Journey to the Center of the Earth, From the Earth to the Moon, and Around the World in Eighty Days—all of which are also in the science fiction and adventure genres. Along with his other novels, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea brought Verne great wealth and fame. Several film adaptations of the book were made in the 20th century, including a highly successful version produced by Walt Disney in 1954. The book remains a literary classic and continues to be one of the most translated works of fiction in the world.

Plot Summary

Frenchman Pierre Aronnax, professor of natural history and his loyal servant Conseil join Commander Farragut and his crew aboard the Abraham Lincoln. Their mission is to find and destroy a giant sea monster that has been attacking ships around the world. While the Abraham Lincoln is in close pursuit, it collides with the creature, sending Professor Aronnax into the water. Conseil jumps in to rescue him. Clinging to the creature, they find Canadian harpooner Ned Land, who had also been on board the Abraham Lincoln. The three men realize the monster is not a living creature, but a submarine made of iron. They soon gain entrance after banging on the exterior walls of the ship before it descends under the water.

Once inside the ship, the men are ushered into a cabin, where they are made to wait before being introduced to the ship’s commander, Captain Nemo—a pseudonym that means “no one.” Captain Nemo tells them that they are prisoners, although they are free to do what they please around his vessel, a submersible ship called the Nautilus. This ship is a secret, and to let them go risks it being found out. Captain Nemo then gives Professor Aronnax a tour of the Nautilus, which is a marvel of advanced engineering and design. Powered by electricity, it travels at great speeds and depths. Captain Nemo explains that food, fuel, and other resources all come from the sea.

Professor Aronnax, Ned, and Conseil commence their journey with Captain Nemo, exploring the world under water. They are exposed to dozens of different sea creatures and plants, and taken on submarine excursions using an advanced diving apparatus devised by Captain Nemo. On one such excursion, Captain Nemo leads Professor Aronnax to the lost civilization of Atlantis, showing him ancient ruins at the bottom of the sea. On another, Captain Nemo saves a humble pearl diver from sharks and gifts the stranger a bag of pearls. Nemo tells Professor Aronnax that he is always on the side of the oppressed, with whom he identifies. They also explore the far reaches of the globe, even reaching the South Pole, which Captain Nemo has claimed in his own name. Professor Aronnax feels admiration and respect for his captor, and expands his studies of the subsurface environment.

However, Professor Aronnax knows their status as prisoners is unsustainable, particularly as Ned is anxious to regain his freedom. They are also keen to unravel the mystery of Captain Nemo’s past, especially after Professor Aronnax must examine a fatally injured crewmember after he, Ned, and Conseil are drugged and forced to spend the night locked in a cabin. As they travel, Nemo becomes quieter and more withdrawn, increasingly obsessed with pushing the boundaries of exploration and seeking revenge. He massacres dozens of cachalots, or sperm whales, which earns him the further ire of Ned—who considers this poor hunting form. On their excursion back from Antarctica, they are all nearly suffocated when the Nautilus becomes trapped in underwater ice. Later, they battle giant poulps, or octopuses, one of whom kills a crewmember.

As a result of Captain Nemo’s dark turn, Professor Aronnax sees him in a different light. He feels nostalgia for land and empathizes more deeply with Ned’s desire to escape. When Captain Nemo mercilessly sinks a vessel that attacked them, Professor Aronnax knows that the man he once respected has become overwhelmed by hate. As the Nautilus approaches a violent maelstrom, Professor Aronnax, Ned, and Conseil escape to the small boat attached to the ship. As the Nautilus is sucked into the whirlpool, a reflection of Captain Nemo’s rage, the small boat is flung out of danger and the three men arrive safely on land, finally earning their liberation. While Captain Nemo’s fate remains unknown, Professor Aronnax hopes that his hate has been conquered by his quest for knowledge and desire to explore and understand the depths of the sea.