Article #164-1 | Gutenberg Articles

Excerpt

Excerpt from Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea, by Jules Verne

As I passed these curious animals I could examine them leisurely, for
they did not move. Their skins were thick and rugged, of a yellowish
tint, approaching to red; their hair was short and scant. Some of them
were four yards and a quarter long. Quieter and less timid than their
cousins of the north, they did not, like them, place sentinels round
the outskirts of their encampment. After examining this city of morses,
I began to think of returning. It was eleven o’clock, and, if Captain
Nemo found the conditions favourable for observations, I wished to be
present at the operation. We followed a narrow pathway running along
the summit of the steep shore. At half-past eleven we had reached the
place where we landed. The boat had run aground, bringing the Captain.
I saw him standing on a block of basalt, his instruments near him, his
eyes fixed on the northern horizon, near which the sun was then
describing a lengthened curve. I took my place beside him, and waited
without speaking. Noon arrived, and, as before, the sun did not appear.
It was a fatality. Observations were still wanting. If not accomplished
to-morrow, we must give up all idea of taking any. We were indeed
exactly at the 20th of March. To-morrow, the 21st, would be the
equinox; the sun would disappear behind the horizon for six months, and
with its disappearance the long polar night would begin. Since the
September equinox it had emerged from the northern horizon, rising by
lengthened spirals up to the 21st of December. At this period, the
summer solstice of the northern regions, it had begun to descend; and
to-morrow was to shed its last rays upon them. I communicated my fears
and observations to Captain Nemo.

“You are right, M. Aronnax,” said he; “if to-morrow I cannot take the
altitude of the sun, I shall not be able to do it for six months. But
precisely because chance has led me into these seas on the 21st of
March, my bearings will be easy to take, if at twelve we can see the
sun.”

“Why, Captain?”

Explanation

Detailed Explanation of the Excerpt from Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Context of the Passage

This excerpt comes from Jules Verne’s 1870 science-fiction adventure novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. The story follows Professor Pierre Aronnax, a French marine biologist, who is taken captive aboard the Nautilus, a futuristic submarine commanded by the enigmatic Captain Nemo. The novel blends scientific exploration, adventure, and philosophical reflection, exploring themes of human curiosity, the mysteries of the deep sea, and the tension between progress and isolation.

In this particular scene, Aronnax and Nemo are near the South Pole, where Nemo is attempting to take celestial measurements to determine their exact position. The passage occurs just before the polar night—a six-month period of darkness—begins, adding urgency to their mission.

Themes in the Excerpt

Man vs. Nature & the Limits of Human Knowledge
- The passage highlights humanity’s struggle to understand and conquer nature. Nemo, a master of technology, is still at the mercy of natural phenomena—the sun’s absence prevents him from taking his measurements.
- The polar environment is hostile and indifferent; the "city of morses" (walruses) live undisturbed, contrasting with the humans’ desperate need for precision.
- The equinox (a natural celestial event) becomes a symbol of time’s inevitability—if Nemo fails now, he must wait half a year.
Scientific Obsession & the Pursuit of Knowledge
- Nemo is obsessed with precision, reflecting the 19th-century scientific spirit (Verne was writing during an era of rapid technological advancement).
- Aronnax, as a scientist, shares this curiosity but is more awestruck by nature (e.g., his detailed observation of the walruses).
- The failure to observe the sun symbolizes the frustration of scientific inquiry—sometimes, despite preparation, nature refuses to cooperate.
Isolation & the Polar Wilderness
- The South Pole is a place of extreme solitude, reinforcing Nemo’s self-imposed exile from human society.
- The approaching polar night (six months of darkness) mirrors Nemo’s psychological darkness—his detachment from the world above.
- The walruses, unlike their "cousins of the north," are unafraid, suggesting that this is a place untouched by human influence.
Time & Impermanence
- The equinox marks a transition—from light to darkness, from opportunity to loss.
- Nemo’s urgency ("if to-morrow I cannot take the altitude of the sun, I shall not be able to do it for six months") emphasizes time’s relentless passage.
- The sun’s "lengthened curve" and eventual disappearance reinforce the cyclical yet fleeting nature of existence.

Literary Devices & Stylistic Analysis

Imagery & Sensory Detail
- Visual Imagery: Verne paints a vivid picture of the walruses—"skins thick and rugged, of a yellowish tint, approaching to red; their hair was short and scant"—making the scene feel real and immersive.
- Contrast: The stillness of the walruses vs. the human urgency ("I began to think of returning").
- Celestial Imagery: The sun’s movement is described in mathematical terms ("describing a lengthened curve"), blending science with poetry.
Foreshadowing & Tension
- The failure to see the sun at noon foreshadows future obstacles—will Nemo succeed tomorrow, or will the polar night trap them in darkness?
- The walruses’ lack of sentinels (unlike their northern cousins) hints at the isolation of this place—no threats exist here except nature itself.
Symbolism
- The Sun: Represents knowledge, enlightenment, and human ambition. Its absence suggests the limits of human control.
- The Polar Night: Symbolizes ignorance, mystery, and the unknown—a metaphor for the unfathomable depths of the ocean (and perhaps Nemo’s mind).
- The Walruses: Represent indifference to human struggles—nature exists independently of man’s desires.
Dialogue & Character Revelation
- Nemo’s calm, analytical response ("if at twelve we can see the sun") contrasts with Aronnax’s anxious curiosity ("Why, Captain?").
- Nemo’s confidence in chance ("precisely because chance has led me into these seas") reveals his fatalistic yet determined nature—he believes in destiny but also in his own skill.
Scientific & Nautical Language
- Verne uses precise terminology ("altitude of the sun," "equinox," "summer solstice") to ground the fantasy in real-world science, a hallmark of his verisimilitude.
- The mathematical descriptions of the sun’s path reinforce the novel’s blend of adventure and education.

Significance of the Passage

Advancing the Plot
- This moment raises stakes—will Nemo succeed in his measurements? The polar night adds a time constraint, increasing tension.
- It also deepens the mystery of Nemo’s mission—why is he so determined to navigate these waters?
Reinforcing Themes of Exploration & Limits
- The scene embodies the novel’s central conflict: human ingenuity vs. the unknowable depths of nature.
- The failure to observe the sun serves as a humbling reminder that even the most advanced technology (the Nautilus) cannot fully dominate nature.
Character Development
- Aronnax is shown as an observant scientist, fascinated by both biology (the walruses) and astronomy (the sun’s position).
- Nemo is methodical yet philosophical—he accepts the uncertainty of chance but remains resolute in his purpose.
Historical & Scientific Context
- Verne was writing during a time when polar exploration was a major endeavor (e.g., the search for the Northwest Passage).
- The celestial navigation described was a real method used by sailors, adding authenticity to the story.
- The polar night was a mysterious and feared phenomenon in the 19th century, making the setting both exotic and ominous.

Line-by-Line Breakdown (Key Moments)

"Their skins were thick and rugged, of a yellowish tint, approaching to red; their hair was short and scant."
- Purpose: Establishes the realism of the setting—Verne’s descriptions make the fantasy world feel tangible.
- Effect: The walruses are alien yet familiar, reinforcing the strangeness of the deep sea.
"Quieter and less timid than their cousins of the north, they did not, like them, place sentinels round the outskirts of their encampment."
- Symbolism: The lack of sentinels suggests a world untouched by human threat—nature here is undisturbed, almost primordial.
- Contrast: Northern walruses (closer to human civilization) are wary, while these are indifferent, highlighting the remoteness of the South Pole.
"The sun did not appear. It was a fatality."
- Tone: Ominous, resigned—the word "fatality" suggests an inescapable force, reinforcing the helplessness of man against nature.
- Foreshadowing: The failure now hints at greater challenges ahead.
"To-morrow, the 21st, would be the equinox; the sun would disappear behind the horizon for six months..."
- Significance: The equinox is a turning point—both literally (seasonal change) and thematically (a test of human endurance).
- Urgency: The six-month darkness creates a race against time, a common trope in adventure narratives.
"You are right, M. Aronnax... if to-morrow I cannot take the altitude of the sun, I shall not be able to do it for six months."
- Characterization: Nemo is practical, not panicked—his acceptance of delay shows his patience and long-term thinking.
- Irony: Despite his technological mastery, he is still bound by natural laws.
"But precisely because chance has led me into these seas on the 21st of March, my bearings will be easy to take..."
- Philosophical Undertone: Nemo sees fate in science—his trust in "chance" suggests a belief in destiny, a recurring theme in his character.
- Contrast with Aronnax: While Aronnax is anxious, Nemo is calculating, showing their different approaches to uncertainty.

Conclusion: Why This Passage Matters

This excerpt is more than just a navigational challenge—it is a microcosm of the novel’s central themes:

The tension between human ambition and nature’s indifference.
The pursuit of knowledge in the face of the unknown.
The isolation of the deep sea (and the human soul).

Verne’s blend of scientific detail, vivid imagery, and philosophical depth makes this moment both an adventure and a meditation on humanity’s place in the universe. The failure to see the sun is not just a plot device—it is a symbol of the limits of human understanding, a theme that resonates throughout Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.

Would you like any further analysis on specific aspects, such as Nemo’s character or the historical context of polar exploration?

Questions

Question 1

The narrator’s description of the walruses as “quieter and less timid than their cousins of the north” primarily serves to:

A. establish a biological distinction between Arctic and Antarctic fauna for scientific accuracy.
B. underscore the narrator’s expertise in marine zoology through comparative observation.
C. create a sense of foreboding by implying the animals’ unnatural docility in a hostile environment.
D. contrast the indifference of nature with the urgency of human endeavours.
E. highlight the remoteness of the South Pole as a place untouched by human predation.

Question 2

Captain Nemo’s statement—“precisely because chance has led me into these seas on the 21st of March, my bearings will be easy to take”—reveals a tension between:

A. fatalism and technological determinism.
B. scientific precision and metaphysical faith in destiny.
C. empirical observation and subjective interpretation of natural phenomena.
D. the certainty of celestial mechanics and the unpredictability of polar weather.
E. the discipline of navigation and the impulsiveness of exploratory ambition.

Question 3

The passage’s repeated emphasis on the sun’s absence and the impending polar night most strongly evokes a sense of:

A. existential dread at the inevitability of cosmic indifference.
B. scientific frustration at the obstruction of empirical inquiry.
C. temporal urgency as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of opportunity.
D. aesthetic disappointment in the failure to witness a celestial phenomenon.
E. narrative suspense regarding the success of Nemo’s navigational calculations.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the functional role of the walrus encampment in the passage?

A. A symbolic representation of the primal chaos that precedes human order.
B. A foil to the Nautilus, emphasizing the contrast between natural adaptation and technological intrusion.
C. An allegory for the complacency of civilizations unaware of impending doom.
D. A narrative device to slow the pacing and heighten anticipation of the solar observation.
E. A realistic detail that grounds the fantastical elements of the story in observable phenomena.

Question 5

The passage’s tone shifts most discernibly between:

A. awe and detachment when describing the walruses versus the sun’s trajectory.
B. curiosity and resignation in the narrator’s internal reflections.
C. urgency in the build-up to noon and fatalism in the aftermath of the sun’s non-appearance.
D. clinical precision in scientific observations and lyrical abstraction in celestial descriptions.
E. admiration for Nemo’s expertise and skepticism about his reliance on chance.

Solutions and Explanations

1) Correct answer: E

Why E is most correct: The description of the walruses’ lack of sentinels and timidity explicitly contrasts with their Arctic counterparts, who would logically exhibit wariness due to human or predator threats. This implies that the South Pole’s walruses exist in an environment so remote that human predation (or even presence) has never conditioned their behaviour. The passage thus subtly reinforces the isolation of the setting—a place where nature operates undisturbed by human influence. This aligns with Verne’s broader theme of the deep sea and polar regions as final frontiers of untouched wilderness.