Plot summary In the year 1866, submarines have never been put into reality. The
story Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the
Sea is narrated by a Professor named Pierre Aronnax who is also accompanied by his assistant Conseil and a well known harpooner
Ned Land. It is a conquest to capture and answer the questions of a mysterious “sea creature” that was responsible for the sea accidents and other ship disappearances with the
vessel Abraham Lincoln which was sent by the United States. Dr. Aronnax, Conseil, and Ned Land were invited and brought on board for their expertise in the field. After several months of expedition and search of the American warship, they found what they have been se3arching for on the night of November 5. Ned Land spotted the glow of the “monster” and for a day and two nights; they chased it through the waters of the Northern Pacific. The “creature’s” thick layer of hard armor would just bounce off the cannons fired by the warship. During the fight, a terrible crash threw overboard Monsieur Aronnax and Ned Land. Conseil dove into the water at the sight of his master plunging into the dark sea. They find themselves stranded in the sea and find refuge in the “hide” of the “creature” that they soon discover it is made of a large metal and an
underwater vessel. They are Captured and brought inside the vessel where they meet the scientific genius Captain Nemo, the creator and commander of the ship he named as the Nautilus. They were part of the Nautilus expedition under the sea finding the under the sea wonders. They have seen different creatures and marvel the seas beauty. For several months, they were entertained by the vast collections situated at the ship’s library. In their voyage, several problems occurred and one of which is the death of a crew whom they buried in an underwater graveyard. Captain Nemo was greatly affected and plunged into deep depression. After an encounter with another sea vessel and the Moskstraumen whirlpool off the coast of Norway they had the opportunity to escape. In their escape, the professor lost his consciousness and the next thing is he was lying in a fisherman’s hut on the Laffoden Isles with his two companions. Dr. Aronnax shared the records of their underwater voyage but never had known what has been the fate of Captain Nemo and his crew inside the Nautilus.
Moral lesson The story of the Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne is a classic science fiction which have anticipated the invention of a submarine. It has showed the power of science. Technological advancements may be of great help for us but in some cases it can also cause destruction. Looking to the two faces of technology makes us see its positive and negative causes. In the case of the story, such underwater exploration has added additional knowledge of underwater life but on the other hand, the Nautilus was a medium for Captain Nemo to seek revenge and cause
destruction to humans. It is for instance, a way to symbolize the role of technology in wars causing destruction and death. The story teaches us that revenge is not an answer to fight for justice. Even though the goal is good, but if the means is not, all of this is not promoting any social justice and just worsens the situation. Advancement of technology must be our medium to take good care of the environment making us stewards of the God’s creation. The understanding of nature will allow humankind live with the environment preventing its destruction and prevent the depletion of the earth’s resources. We must bear in mind that we must maintain the balance of nature for we have a finite earth.
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