Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

by

Jules Verne

Electricity Symbol Icon

Electricity represents the formidable, seemingly infinite opportunity and power provided by scientific innovation and technology. As such, electricity encapsulates both the fear and optimism about technology that are expressed within the novel. Captain Nemo’s submarine, the Nautilus, is powered by electricity. When the Nautilus is first spotted by various ships around the globe, it is mistaken for a “phosphorescent” narwhal because of the way it is illuminated by electricity. The fact that people who see the submarine assume that it is naturally rather than artificially illuminated indicates that, on some subconscious level, they have greater faith in the power of nature than in that of manmade objects. The revelation that the Nautilus isn’t a narwhal at all, but an electrically-powered submarine, thus becomes a commentary on the ways in which human invention is catching up to the power of nature. Indeed, all the mysteries surrounding the submarine—including its illumination, its speed, and its agility—end up being explained by the fact that it is electrically powered. This reflects a somewhat naïve impression of electricity and what it can do, influenced by the heady excitement over this new form of power.

From a contemporary perspective, the fact that the submarine is electrically powered does not appear particularly advanced or impressive, and doesn’t answer many questions about the way the vessel actually works. However, in the mid-19th century during which the novel is set, electricity was a new enough source of power that there was an outsize sense of exhilaration and optimism about what it was capable of achieving. This disproportionate excitement is expressed in the novel’s giddy representation of electricity as an infinitely expansive, potent, and magical force.

Get the entire Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea LitChart as a printable PDF.
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea PDF

Electricity Symbol Timeline in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

The timeline below shows where the symbol Electricity appears in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Part 1, Chapter 6: Full Steam Ahead
Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation Theme Icon
Human Intelligence and its Limits Theme Icon
Nature vs. Civilization Theme Icon
...what the creature is or what it’s capable of. Farragut speculates that it is an electric “gigantic narwhal.” At midnight, the narwhal seems to disappear, but less than an hour later... (full context)
Part 1, Chapter 12: The Soul of the Nautilus
Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation Theme Icon
Human Intelligence and its Limits Theme Icon
Nature vs. Civilization Theme Icon
...and Arronax listens eagerly. He explains that the ship runs on a special kind of electricity derived from a saltwater formula. The machines that pump oxygen into the vessel are powered... (full context)
Part 1, Chapter 13: Captain Nemo Explains
Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation Theme Icon
Human Intelligence and its Limits Theme Icon
Nature vs. Civilization Theme Icon
...deep sea by allowing precise levels of water inside designated reservoirs. The engine, powered by electricity, has “almost infinite” power. Nemo explains that the collision between the Nautilus and the Scotia... (full context)
Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation Theme Icon
Freedom vs. Constraint Theme Icon
Human Intelligence and its Limits Theme Icon
Exploration, Imperialism, and Conquest Theme Icon
Nature vs. Civilization Theme Icon
Nemo explains that the Nautilus is the perfect ship both due to its electrical power and the fact that, travelling below the surface of the water, it is unimpeded... (full context)
Part 1, Chapter 15: A Note of Invitation
Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation Theme Icon
Freedom vs. Constraint Theme Icon
Human Intelligence and its Limits Theme Icon
Exploration, Imperialism, and Conquest Theme Icon
Nature vs. Civilization Theme Icon
...gun that he will carry during the hunting trip. Nemo describes a special gun with electrified bullets invented by an Austrian, which can kill any animal, no matter how large. Satisfied,... (full context)
Part 1, Chapter 22: Captain Nemo’s Thunderbolt
Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation Theme Icon
Freedom vs. Constraint Theme Icon
Human Intelligence and its Limits Theme Icon
Exploration, Imperialism, and Conquest Theme Icon
Nature vs. Civilization Theme Icon
...announces that the Papuans have surrounded the Nautilus in their canoes. Nonchalantly, Nemo presses an “electric button” that closes the hatches of the vessel, before assuring Arronax that he needn’t worry... (full context)
Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation Theme Icon
Freedom vs. Constraint Theme Icon
Exploration, Imperialism, and Conquest Theme Icon
...that he has been hit by a “thunderbolt.” Arronax realizes that that the staircase is electrified. The Nautilus continues on its journey. (full context)
Part 1, Chapter 23: Confinement
Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation Theme Icon
Human Intelligence and its Limits Theme Icon
Nature vs. Civilization Theme Icon
...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... (full context)
Part 2, Chapter 20: We Visit a Tomb
Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation Theme Icon
Freedom vs. Constraint Theme Icon
Human Intelligence and its Limits Theme Icon
Exploration, Imperialism, and Conquest Theme Icon
Nature vs. Civilization Theme Icon
...East Coast of North America. They pass Newfoundland, and around this point, Arronax spots an electric cable on the ocean floor which had originally been designed to send telegrams yet was... (full context)