Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea: by Jules Verne

Adventures in the Deep

The plot begins when a French professor named Pierre Aronnax, along with his servant Conseil and a Canadian harpooner named Ned Land, embark on an expedition aboard a ship named Abraham Lincoln. The expedition's mission is to hunt down a supposed sea monster that is attacking ships in various parts of the world.

During the monster hunt, the Abraham Lincoln is attacked and sunk. Aronnax, Conseil and Ned Land are rescued by the mysterious Captain Nemo, who unveils his innovative underwater vessel, the Nautilus. The group then embarks on an incredible underwater journey around the world.

Along the twenty thousand leagues (equivalent to about 80,000 kilometers) covered under water, Aronnax and his companions witness wonders of nature, such as coral reefs, exotic marine species and submerged volcanoes. They also face dangers such as storms, aggressive sea creatures and even an attack by a giant octopus.

However, the story goes beyond the underwater adventures. The book addresses themes such as the unknown, scientific advancement, loneliness, the conflict between nature and technology, morality and the quest for freedom. Captain Nemo is portrayed as a complex character, who rebelled against human society and seeks revenge against the oppression he suffered.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is considered one of the great classics of science fiction literature and one of Jules Verne's best known works. He captivated readers with his vivid imagination, detailed descriptions, and futuristic vision, which anticipated many technological innovations of the 20th century.

What is the Monster from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea?

In the book Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, the “monster” that initially motivates the expedition of Professor Pierre Aronnax and his companions is, in fact, a mysterious creature that is attacking ships around the world. The initial description of the monster is vague and causes fear in people.

However, when Aronnax and his companions are rescued by Captain Nemo and board the Nautilus, they discover that the supposed monster is actually a highly advanced and technologically innovative submarine built by Captain Nemo himself.

The confusion regarding the "monster" is due to the appearance of the Nautilus and the aggressive tactics used by Captain Nemo to scare away the ships. The vessel's peculiar shape, with its fish-shaped hull, could easily be mistaken for an unknown sea creature.

So there really isn't a traditional "monster" in the sense of a fantastical or supernatural creature in the book. The idea of ​​the monster serves as a starting point for the story, leading the characters to embark on an underwater adventure and explore the depths of the ocean aboard the Nautilus.

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea invites us to reflect on profound questions related to exploration, ethics, solitude and freedom, while taking us on an exciting journey through the mysteries of the undersea world.

Review by Sidney Matias

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Puffin Books; Abridged edition (1 July 1995)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 288 pages
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 9 - 11 years old