TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA

*(the number refers to the distance and not the depth, as popularly received)

By : Jules Verne

Author:
Jules Verne , is a French novelist and pioneer of the science fiction genre. His books include
Around The World in 80 Days, 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, Journey to The Center of The
Earth, and Five Weeks on Balloon.

He was Born on : February 8 1828

And died on : March 24 1905

Publication date : March 1869 to June 1870 (as serial) 1870 (book form)

Genre : Science fiction, adventure, science romance

Pages : 423 pages.

Dificulty language :
Reading this book requires a unanimous spirit and intention, if the reader doesn't like the
adventure genre, maybe the reader really needs full concentration to read this. Because in
every word, sentence after sentence really seems to take us on an adventure with Professor
Pierre Aronnax, Captain Nemo and captain Nautilus and friends. Like we are on a ship in the
middle of the sea, feel the pounding of the waves and the sea breeze.

In the language presented by Jules Verne, I admit that it is indeed difficult, many also use high-
level sentences. Moreover, this fiction novel is in translated English, which was originally in
French. But with a rather heavy nature of language that is difficult to understand, Jules Verne
wants us readers to feel the excitement in the novel.

With a rather slow storyline in the early chapters, a deep and soulful nature, the storyline is
easy to understand, making me really curious about page after page. Jules Verne is also really
good at combining fairy tales with science.

Readers are invited to imagine through the narration he wrote. In some parts of this story, I
even feel like I'm learning science, about the diversity of marine life, or also about various laws
of physics, through Prof. Aronnax's dialogue with Captain Nemo who explains how the Neutilus
submarine works. In my opinion, as a reader, difficult sentences will be balanced when we can
understand the sentence so that we can feel what is happening in the novel.

Since the beginning of reading this story, I was enthusiastic. Although sometimes I have to think
a little harder when I read the explanation section of the journal or the history of the place I
visited. This story presents an exciting adventure, exploring various places in the world both on
land and sea. Readers are really invited to imagine with various adventures, discoveries, and all
the suspense that accompanies the journey of the main character.

There are two central figures here, namely Prof. Aronnax and Captain Nemo. I like both. Both
are described as a genius figure with various skills and knowledge possessed by each character.
However, each of them has a weakness. Prof Aronnax is not a man of firm conviction. He is
easily influenced and does not easily express his opinion. This is in contrast to Captain Nemo
who tends to dominate and has a strong character. He is tough, vengeful, and ambitious.

Presented with a single first-person POV, it makes the readers of Twenty Thousand Leagues
Under The Sea feel as if they are experiencing the adventure themselves. In my opinion, this
reading is a little heavy both from the story and the thickness of the book, but it still makes me
enthusiastic and interested in taking my time to read this novel. However, the ending of this
story surprised me. I sense a story is missing here because suddenly Prof Aronnax survived the
vortex and was freed from the submarine Neutilus. Or was this situation deliberately written by
Jules Verne to keep this story a mystery. With the structure of the discussion like this, and the
suspenseful storytelling of this book, this book makes me enthusiastic and can be
recommended for those of you who are interested in the adventure genre.

Key elements of the plot

The carachthers in this novel :

 Profesor Pierre Aronnax, narrator of the story, a French natural scientist

 Conseil – Aronnax's servant, very loyal to him and knowledgeable in biological
classification
 Ned Land – a Canadian harpooner, described as "unparalleled in the dangerous trade"
 Captain Nemo – designer and captain of Nautilus

A scientist named Monsieur Pierre Aronnax who joins an expedition across the ocean to unravel
the mystery of an unknown giant creature that has attacked several ships. Together with
Commander Farragut they boarded the Abraham Lincoln to the Pacific Ocean. The Abraham
Lincoln ship has been carefully selected and specially equipped for the purpose of this voyage.
This ship is a high-speed frigate, driven by a powerful engine that can withstand a pressure of
seven atmospheres.

When Abraham Lincoln's ship came face to face with the unidentified giant, chaos ensued.
There is not a single weapon capable of destroying the creature. Even Abraham Lincoln's ship
was damaged in several parts as a result of this battle, tossed about uncontrollably, tossing the
people on it. Including the professor. Heavy currents flushed from the bow to the stern, making
people fall over, and the moorings of the poles were loose. Next a very strong shock followed,
sending me tumbling from the bars without being able to hold myself back, and then I was
thrown into the sea.

Tossed about in the middle of the sea, at night, alone, was enough to make Prof Aronnax
depressed. In desperation, Prof. Aronnax is saved by Captain Nemo who then takes him to a
new life, underwater life. In a giant submarine, Prof Aronnax is truly amazed by the life that
Captain Nemo and his followers lead. For years they never left the depths of the ocean. They
don't need to be afraid of damage, because the two-layered hull of the ship is as strong as iron.
We also don't have to worry about the risk of collision, because in the deep sea, only this ship is
there. No need to worry about storms because when diving, the sea water is really calm.”

Trapped by marine life aboard the Neutilus with Captain Nemo, Prof Aronnax takes Prof.
Aronnax on many adventures around the world. Starting from Europe, Africa, even to
Indonesia. Precisely in Papua. There they met the Bird of Paradise and admired the beauty of
the bird. Meanwhile the birds of paradise flew away as we approached. Really, I feel hopeless
because I can't get close to a single tail.

Prof. Aronnax's adventures under the sea in the Nautilus submarine with Captain Nemo are
indeed impressive. But that doesn't make him feel like a free man. Moreover, there was an
unwritten rule about people not being allowed to return to the mainland after entering
Nautilus. Prof Aronnax tried to escape with his two friends. But at the same time, there was a
storm in the sea to form a vortex that dragged Nautilus.

The ending of this story is missing here because suddenly Prof Aronnax survived the vortex and
was freed from the submarine Neutilus. Or was this situation deliberately written by Jules
Verne to keep this story a mystery.
Reaction
Did u enjoy it? Why or why not?

While reading this book I quite enjoyed it, although I had to think harder, devote more time and
energy to understand every linguistic structure in this novel. But with the challenges of reading
this novel, it made me interested in enjoying the storyline in this novel.

Would u read another book by the same author?

If I have the time and opportunity and also have to muster the will and have more interest to
read books by Jules Verne, I will read them.

Would u recomen this book to ur classmate?

This one can be a recommendation material to read if you like the adventure genre, with a slick
storyline, readers can enjoy and participate in their imagination when reading the novel twenty
thousand leagues under the sea by Jules Verne.