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Part 1, Chapter 22
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation
Freedom vs. Constraint
Human Intelligence and its Limits
Exploration, Imperialism, and Conquest
Nature vs. Civilization
Summary
Analysis
The Nautilus moves at incredible speed, sailing around Australia and heading for the Indian Ocean. During this journey, the submarine’s electricity fails. While the vessel floats without power, Arronax suddenly finds that they are surrounded by spectacular sheets of light. Although he is initially confused, he eventually comes to realize that this light is coming from a mass of phosphorescent marine life. The submarine floats in the middle of these animals, creating an “enchanting” sight for those aboard.
The fact that there are actually phosphorescent animals in the ocean emphasizes the congruity between the electric Nautilus and the surrounding landscape. At the same time, it is significant that the submarine’s own electricity needs to fail in order for the enchanting extent of the surrounding marine life to be revealed, perhaps suggesting that technology can sometimes impede one’s appreciation of the natural world rather than enhance it.
Themes
The submarine continues onward, journeying “from one new marvel to another.” They grow accustomed to life on the Nautilus, until one day an incident occurs that jerks them out of this state of acceptance. Captain Nemo spies something in his telescope that appears to greatly disturb him. They are in the middle of the ocean, hundreds of miles from land, and Arronax wonders what the captain could possibly have spotted. Overwhelmed by curiosity, Arronax retrieves his own telescope. However, Nemo then asks Arronax to obey the one condition he set before him when he was captured, and return to his cabin. Feeling like he has no choice, Arronax obeys. Once down there, he tells Ned and Conseil what happened.
The challenging reality of life aboard the Nautilus is that it only exists in two modes: the terrifying and the mundane. Most of Arronax’s days on board the boat are repetitive and unmemorable, increasing the feeling of claustrophobia provoked by his situation. The fact that every now and then this monotony is interrupted by terror can hardly be seen as much of a relief.
Themes
Literary Devices
The men are served breakfast, and they eat in silence. As soon as they are finished eating the light in their room goes out, and Ned and Conseil quickly fall asleep. Arronax is confused, but then is hit with a wave of exhaustion himself. He realizes that they have been drugged with “sleeping powder.” He feels terrified, but cannot help but fall asleep.
Nemo continues to exercise a tyrannical level of control over his captives. In a sense, it is obvious why he does it—in the middle of the ocean, on the ship commandeered by him, there is absolutely no one to stop him.
Themes
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