20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA

REFERENCE NOTES
1. PLOT
The story opens in the year
1866. Everyone in Europe
and America is talking about
a mysterious creature that
has been sinking ships.
Finally, the United States
government decides to
intervene and commissions
the Abraham Lincoln to
capture and identify the
creature. On board the ship
are Pierre Aronnax, a
renowned scientist along with
his manservant, Conseil, and
Ned Land the king of
harpooners.

On a voyage to the South

Pole, the Nautilus becomes
stuck in the ice. Everyone
must take turns trying to
break a hole in the ice so the
vessel can get through. The
ship almost runs out of its
oxygen supply and the men
grow tired and light headed.
However, they escape just in
time.

The Abraham Lincoln is

attacked by the creature.
Aronnax, Conseil and
Land go overboard. The
three men find
themselves on top of the
mysterious creature,
which is actually a
submarine vessel. They
are taken on board and
placed in a cell.
The men meet Captain
Nemo, the commander of
the vessel, known as
the Nautilus. He tells
them they can stay on
board the ship and enjoy
freedom as long as they
return to the cell if asked.
They are never to leave
the vessel again. Ned
Land says he will not
promise that he will not
try to escape.
The rising action of the
story begins with Nemos
attack on a warship.
Aronnax does not know to
which nation the warship
belongs, but he is
horrified when Captain
Nemo sinks it. The men
decide they must escape
at all costs.

Captain Nemo treats the

men, especially Aronnax,
very well. They are
clothed and fed and may
wander around the vessel
at their leisure. Aronnax is
thrilled by Nemos vast
library. The men spend
their time observing sea
life through observation
windows. Aronnax studies
and writes about
everything he sees.
During their time on
the Nautilus, the men
experience many exciting
adventures. They hunt in
underwater forests, visit
an island with angry
natives, visit the lost city
of Atlantis, and fish for
giant pearls.

However, there are

distressing events
erratic behavior of
night the men are
their cell. They are
and awake the nex
confused. Nemo as
at a crewman who
injured. The man la
bury him in an und
where many other
laid to rest.

One night, while off the

coast of Norway, Aronnax,
Conseil and Land plan a
rash escape. To their
dismay they realize they
are heading toward a
giant whirlpool--one that
no ship has ever survived.
Amazingly, in only a small
dinghy they emerge
safely. They awake in the
hut of a fisherman. At the
conclusion of the story,
Aronnax is awaiting his
return to France and
rewriting his memoirs of
his journey under the
sea.

2. SETTING
The story begins in 1866 and ends in 1868 (The journey on the Nautilus begins during the summer
of1867). The story is set on the Nautilus, the submarine vessel designed by Captain Nemo.
The Nautilus traverses Pacific, Indian, Atlantic, Artic and Antarctic Oceans, and the Mediterranean and
Red Seas.

3. CHARACTER LIST
Major Characters
Dr. Pierre Aronnax
The narrator, aged forty. He is a former medical doctor turned scientist and lecturer at the Museum of
Paris. He is unmarried and childless. He resides in Paris with his manservant, Conseil. While lecturing
in the United States, he is asked by the U.S. government to join the expedition aboard
theAbraham Lincoln in search of the mysterious monster that has been attacking ships.
Conseil
Aronnaxs domestic servant. He is thirty years old. He follows Aronnax on all of his voyages and never
offers counsel. He is knowledgeable of science, yet has little practice. He never complains.
Ned Land
A Canadian traveling on the Abraham Lincoln. He is revered as the king of harpooners. He is forty
years old, large, quiet, and angry when contradicted.
Captain Nemo
The commander of the Nautilus. He is a mysterious man. He is often moved to tears, yet easily
angered. He is a brilliant man who was formerly an engineer. He designed the Nautilus himself. His
nationality remains unknown to the narrator.

Minor Characters
Captain Anderson
The captain of the Scotia, the ship that sank and provoked the United States to send the Abraham
Lincoln in search of the Nautilus. The root word ande means man; therefore, Anderson can be read
as son of man. It is possible that Verne employed this name because it was this final stand off-between man and machine--that incited government action. However, it is likely that Verne based
this character on the real life Captain Anderson of the Great Eastern described in Part II.
Captain Farragut
The captain of the Abraham Lincoln. His name is taken from a Union Civil War admiral, David G.
Farragut. David Farragut is famous for his statement: Damn the torpedoes--full speed ahead!!!
Sir Samuel Cunard
The name of the well-known Canadian ship-owner of a prestigious British and North American Line.
When his ship, the Scotia is attacked, the world is outraged. Cunards ships have an outstanding
reputation and never sink.

4. LITERARY ELEMENTS
Protagonist
The protagonist of a story is the main character, who traditionally, undergoes some sort of change. He
or She must usually overcome some opposing force. In Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas the
protagonist is Dr. Pierre Aronnax. He is the narrator and central character of the tale. Aronnax is
repeatedly described as a naturalist throughout the story. A naturalist is, essentially, a person who is
well studied in natural sciences such as zoology and botany--as is Aronnax. However, within the
context of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas, a tale of science fiction, his position of a
naturalist is juxtaposed with that which seeks to thwart nature--Captain Nemo and
the Nautilus. Ironically, Aronnaxs confrontation with Nemo, during which he sees how science can be
used for evil, he chooses his fellow man over science.

Antagonist
The antagonist of a story is the character that provides an obstacle for the protagonist. In this case
the antagonist is Captain Nemo. The obstacle is the imprisonment of Aronnax and the other characters
aboard the Nautilus.

Climax
The climax of a story is the major turning point that determines the outcome of the plot. It is the point
to which the rising action leads. In this story the climax is in Chapter 22, Captain Nemos Last
Words, when the men make the decision to escape. This is a major decision, which permanently
changes their condition of imprisonment.

Outcome
Also known as the resolution or denouement, this is the place in the plot where the action is resolved
or clarified. In this novel, the outcome is that the men survive the giant whirlpool. Captain Nemo
remains a mystery; we do not know if he has survived, nor do we know where he came from or who
he really is. Aronnax plans to return to France.

5. SYMBOLISM / MOTIFS / IMAGERY / SYMBOLS

The giant pearl
It is important to note Nemos cultivation of the giant pearl. He wants to leave it undisturbed so that it
will become greater. This is juxtaposition with the Nautilus. The longer the vessel remains
undiscovered the more powerful it becomes. Like the Nautilus, pearls have different kinds of power.
Like Land, many men are interested in the financial gain they promise; like the divers, many risk and
lose their lives in pursuit of the pearls. However, the peals also have an aesthetic value. For this value,
Aronnax prizes them. Similarly, the Nautilus is used for good and evil. Through their experiences on
the ship, Captain Nemo and Aronnax will be able to significantly contribute to the scientific community
and benefit mankind. However, the ship is also used to destroy humanity

Ned Lands perfect eyesight

His excellent eye sight is symbolic of his ability to rely on his senses. He has excellent senses--he is
able to sleep and read all day because he knows the creature is not near the boat. He does not believe
anything that he has not seen or experienced himself-this is a reoccurring theme throughout the
novel.

6. THEMES - THEME ANALYSIS

Man versus Nature
This major theme of the story is encapsulated both in the conflict between Aronnax and Nemo as well
as Nemo and himself. Aronnax, the naturalist must decide between his own love of science and his
fellow man. Nemo, who has gained incredible power by defying nature, must reconcile his power and
his humanity.
In this novel man vs. nature is a bit more complex than the typical man vs. nature theme, which
usually entails men battling the forces of nature. In this case, which is typical of science-fiction, man is
trying to overcome nature; man is trying to defy nature. Captain Nemo tries to create an alternate
nature, which at the time of this novel was a foreign as living in outer space (which Nemo says,
himself).
It seems that Nemos ultimate goal in creating an alternative nature, was to thwart the one into which
he was born because it created circumstances too hurtful to bear. However, in the Nautilus, Nemo is
still subject to the forces of nature. He must find a way to create an atmosphere like that found on
land; he must battle natural creatures. It is apparent that nature has won when Nemo uses it to end
his mission. Despite his attempt to create a new environment, he cannot escape his human nature, his
capacity to feel pain. It is this pain that drives Nemo to kill; however, it is not enough.

Minor Themes
Revenge
Captain Nemo repeatedly mentions that he is seeking revenge for injustices he incurred while on land.
Interestingly, the reader must consider that while Nemos violence seems senseless and evil, he is not
necessarily different from a nation state. For example, Nemo has declared himself sovereign; he has
his own laws; he claims he has a wealth that rivals France; and he has his own military. At least in the
cases of the Abraham Lincoln and the final warship, Nemo was attacked first. He is not entirely evil-he makes large donations to people in need of them and comes to the aid of those he believes worthy.
The world in the 19th century was not quite the same as it is today. While the nature of warfare was
certainly changing, as it always is, nations still engaged in battle over issues that would not be
considered legitimate today, such as colonization.
Nemo, technically residing in a territory controlled by no one, having claimed land of his own, and
fighting under his own flag is not entirely different from a recognized and respected nation that
bludgeons its enemy to advance its own cause.

Liberty
Liberty is another theme that pervades this novel. The world is seeking to liberate itself of the
creature, the Nautilus. Nemo seeks liberty from society and from the land itself. Aronnax, Conseil
and Land seek liberty from Nemo. Yet no one is truly free.
If the world became free from the terrors of the Nautilus it was only through the will of Nemo, who
apparently committed suicide. However, much like any scientific progress, they are not free from the
technology to produce another submarine capable of the same evil. Aronnax has survived. He knows
the mechanical secrets of the ship and he is preparing to publish them
Nemo seeks refuge at the seas bottom; yet he is repeatedly outraged and haunted by mankind. He
continues to battle humanity and thus causes himself great mental anguish. Moreover, he is plagued
by his vengeful spirit which drives his entire existence. He is not in control of his life.

7. Key Facts
Title
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Author
Jules Verne
Date of first publishing
1870
Meaning of the Title
Refers to traveling thousands of miles under surface of the oceans. Appropriate because of the setting
on a submarine. A league is a unit of distance not commonly used today. It is the equivalent of
approximately 2.5 to 3.5 miles.
Genre
Science-fiction adventure
Point of view
First person-limited
Narrator
Dr. Pierre Aronnax
Setting
Aboard the Nautilus, the submarine vessel designed by Captain Nemo. 1866-1868
Protagonist
Dr. Pierre Aronnax
Antagonist
Captain Nemo
Climax
Chapter 22,Captain Nemos Last Words. The men make the decision to escape from the Nautilus
Outcome
The men survive the giant whirlpool while Captain Nemo's fate and the fate of the Nautilus remains
unknown.

Rising Action
The rising action of the story begins with Nemos attack on a warship.
Major Theme
Man versus Nature
Minor Themes
Revenge. Liberty.
Symbolism/Motifs
The giant pearl, Ned Land's perfect eyesight

Mood
Mysterious and dark

8. VOCABULARY
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas contains a plethora of scientific words and measurements
that can be confusing:
Acre - a measurement of surface area equal to 43,560 square feet, approximately the size of a
football field.
Annelids - worms
Babiroussa - A pig from the East Indies
Byssus - filament that certain mollusks, such as mussels, use to attach themselves to rocks
Cetacean - any marine mammal classified as a Cetacea. They include dolphins, whales, and
porpoises.
Dugong - A plant-eating marine mammal that has flippers and can be found in the Indian Ocean, the
Red Sea, and the Pacific Ocean.
Echeneis - a type of fish that adheres to other large fish and vessels with a sucker.
Echinoderm - a marine invertebrate that has parts radiating symmetrically from its center - for
example: a starfish
Fathom - a nautical measurement for 6 feet or depth from the surface.
Fucus - brown algae
Hydrophytes - a plant adapted to grow in water
Hyracotherium - This is an extinct genus of horse
Ichthyologist - a scientist that studies fish.
Kraken - A sea monster that is featured in Norwegian legend.
League - Three miles of distance.
Leviathan - a huge and monstrous sea creature that is discussed in the bible
Narwhal - An arctic whale with an ivory horn protruding from its head.
Nereocysti - Giant Seaweed
Oreodon - An extinct mammal, similar to a deer.
Pintadine - a kind of shellfish, some of which produce pearls
Polyp - coelenterate, such as a hydra or coral
Poop - An enclosed structure at the stem of a ship
Port - left side of a ship (as one faces the front of the ship)
Starboard - right side of a ship (as one faces the front of the ship)
Terra firma - solid, dry ground; land
Zoophytes - invertebrate animals, such as a sea anemone or sponge