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82 pages 2 hours read

Jules Verne

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1870

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Character Analysis

Professor Pierre Aronnax

Professor Aronnax is the main character and narrator of the book. He is a 40-year-old Frenchman who works as an Assistant Professor at the Museum of Natural History in Paris. He previously published a two-volume work called Mysteries of the Great Submarine Grounds, which Captain Nemo has a copy of on board the Nautilus. Aronnax has an adventurous spirit, and travels to various locations to study natural history with his servant Conseil and a menagerie that includes a wild pig. He passes his time on the Nautilus studying marine life, and finds the work fulfilling until Captain Nemo’s rage compromises Professor Aronnax’s morals. Up to that point, Aronnax feels admiration and respect for Captain Nemo, judging him to be capable, intelligent, and of “unparalleled courage” (131). Professor Aronnax maintains a loyal friendship with Conseil and Ned Land—his two companions on the Nautilus—which helps them to survive their escape from the ship.

Conseil

Conseil is Professor Aronnax’s loyal servant who will do anything for his master, including putting Professor Aronnax’s life above his own. He is a 30-year-old “Flemish boy” (9), who for 10 years has accompanied Professor Aronnax on his journeys, helping him with his research. Professor Aronnax describes Conseil as “quick with his hands” (10), in excellent health, and always obliging. His only fault, according to Professor Aronnax, is that he is “ceremonious to a degree” (10) and will only ever address Professor Aronnax as “master.” Aboard the Nautilus, Conseil helps to save Professor Aronnax’s life more than once, building a lasting friendship between the two men.

Ned Land

Ned Land is a Canadian harpooner who knows “no equal in his dangerous occupation” (13). He is 40 years old with a tall stature, strong build, and passionate temperament, especially when challenged. He is reserved and serious, but attracts attention with his “boldness of look” (14). Ned forms an immediate friendship with Professor Aronnax on board the Abraham Lincoln that grows stronger during their captivity on the Nautilus, even though Ned has little interest in marine fauna besides his ever-present passion for hunting. Ned’s desire for personal liberty is more pronounced than that of Professor Aronnax or Conseil, and he is the most aggressive about planning their escape from the Nautilus, often declaring that he is ready to die rather than remain imprisoned. Ned’s last name is a strong indicator of his yearning to escape underwater life.

Captain Nemo

Captain Nemo is the commander of the Nautilus. He is self-confident, energetic, and courageous, while also possessing a calm demeanor that masks a “highly nervous temperament” (33). His age is unclear and could range, according to Professor Aronnax, from 35 to 50. He is tall with a “straight nose” and “beautiful teeth” (33). His eyes are set widely apart, which allows his range of vision across the horizon to be particularly acute. Captain Nemo’s character is mysterious, along with his past. His rejection of humanity has driven him to an isolated life at sea, almost completely devoid of human contact save for his crew, Professor Aronnax, Ned, and Conseil. Despite his cynicism toward humankind, he is generous toward the oppressed peoples of the world, and passionate about scientific knowledge, innovation, and discovery. The Nautilus is the most technologically advanced ship in the world, which Captain Nemo uses to push the boundaries of what’s possible, often despite the moral implications. His desire for knowledge is gradually eclipsed over the course of the book by his desire for revenge for the destruction of his family.

Commander Farragut

Commander Farragut is the captain of the Abraham Lincoln. He is, according to Professor Aronnax, the “soul” (12) of his ship. He holds an unshakeable opinion that the mysterious object in the water is a cetacean. His absolute goal is to “rid the seas of it” (12), which motivates him to continue searching, even as chances of success grow slimmer. As Professor Aronnax summarizes of Captain Farragut, either he “would kill the narwhal, or the narwhal would kill” him (12).

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