Commander Farragut Character Analysis in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Commander Farragut is the commander of the Abraham Lincoln, a U.S. naval ship sent in pursuit of the mysterious “monster.” The naturalist Professor Arronax, his servant Conseil, and the harpooner Ned Land join Farragut on this mission. Farragut has a passionate, irrationally intense belief in the existence of the monster they’re after, and has internalized a mythic sense that he and the monster are destined to go into battle, with only one emerging alive. Although Farragut’s final fate is not explicitly listed, he presumably dies in the sinking of the Abraham Lincoln that ensues after it attacks and is sunk by Captain Nemo’s Nautilus submarine.

Commander Farragut Character Timeline in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

The timeline below shows where the character Commander Farragut appears in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.

Having boarded the Abraham Lincoln, Arronax introduces himself to an officer, Commander Farragut, who welcomes him on board. The ship embarks immediately, moving full steam ahead. Thousands of... (full context)

Human Intelligence and its Limits Theme Icon

Captain Farragut has an absolute, irrational faith in the existence of the monster. He is convinced that... (full context)

...scouring every inch of the ocean, and over time those on board become despondent. Eventually, Farragut announces that if the monster is still not found after three days, they will have... (full context)

Farragut approaches Arronax and says that their only choice is to retreat, as they have no... (full context)

Farragut signals for the ship to head straight toward the monster. The creature turns away, and... (full context)