Literary Review
I found the novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to be an inspiring piece that revolves around the idea that freedom is not without a price. The book begins in a rather intresting way, beginning with the ominous problem of ships being destroyed throughout the world. Dr. Aronnax is called into give expertise in the matter, as it is now viewed as an international crises. As a rational man he quickly dismisses the notion of a monster or submarine. The goverments also claim that they would not fund something so dangerous and for the sake of friendly realtions, it was vital that this remained true. Dr. Aronnax presents the notion that the perpetrator is none other than a great narhwal. On the hunt for the beast he boards the Abraham Lincoln accompanied by Consiel and Ned Land. They are attacked and the three men are captured by Captain Nemo. The beast is none other than the Nautilus. Captain Nemo holds them prisoner, free to roam and study, but never to leave. The situation changes the emotions and actions of Captain Nemo, who has a deep seated hatred for war due to a previous loss. After it becomes clear that Captain Nemo will continue to murder innocent lives, they become aware of the fact that they must escape. Captain Nemo is my favorite character in the book; I admire his brilliance and pity him profusely for his suffering and guilt. In my opinion, he is an avenger that wishes to end bloodshed. The climax of the story is when Dr. Aronnax trusts in Land's impulsive plan to escape, that results in them entering a whirlpool. They miraculously survive and the conclustion is Dr. Aronnax anxiously waiting to return to his homeland. As to what became of the Nautilus and its beloved Captain Nemo is unknown. There were parts of the novel that I found dull, but I enjoyed the plotline. Dr. Aronnax, although the main character, is my least favorite character. He was blinded by his rationality and constant arrogance for the beginning of the book. The story takes place mainly on the Nautilus and lasts from 1866-1868 and carries a mysterious and dark tone.
The following review strengthens my point of view of the overall novel and the characterization of Captain Nemo. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a science-fiction masterpiece that arguably is one of the founding books of the genre.
The following review strengthens my point of view of the overall novel and the characterization of Captain Nemo. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is a science-fiction masterpiece that arguably is one of the founding books of the genre.
Excerpt from "Reflections on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea"
By John Kenneth
(Award Winning Author of 24 Books including Horror Films of the 1990s (2011), Horror Films of the 1980s (2007), TV Year (2007), The Rock & Roll Film Encyclopedia (2007), Mercy in Her Eyes: The Films of Mira Nair (2006), Singing a New Tune: The Rebirth of the Modern Film Musical (2005), Best in Show: The Films of Christopher Guest & Company (2004), The Unseen Force: The Films of Sam Raimi (2004), An Askew View: The Films of Kevin Smith (2002), The Encyclopedia of Superheroes on Film & Television (2004), Exploring Space:1999 (1997), An Analytical Guide to TV's Battlestar Galactica (1998), Terror Television (2001), Space:1999 - The Forsaken (2003) and Horror Films of the 1970s (2002).
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea remains a wondrous tale, one that has endured the test of time. Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea and SeaQuest DSV are certainly "children" of this adventure as they involve highly advanced submarines exploring ocean depths, but again, it is Captain Nemo – and the idea of a righteous avenger – that seems to have come forth most powerfully from Verne's book and also taken hold of our modern culture. I know there is a new 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea movie planned and I must wonder if these are the qualities that will be most heavily accented this time around.
That would certainly be an appropriate course heading, so long as Nemo’s other extraordinary and human qualities aren’t given short shrift for the easy-movie shorthand of angsty-broodiness. I'd hate to see him reduced to being an underwater Punisher, for instance. I mean, certainly Nemo wreaks bloody vengeance against those who have wronged him, but his passion for science, exploration and knowledge make him more than your typical angel of death. Those qualities balance the man, and rudder the fantastic sights and sounds of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in a very human, very sympathetic source.
For Full Review: http://reflectionsonfilmandtelevision.blogspot.com/2009/04/book-review-20000-leagues-under-sea.html
That would certainly be an appropriate course heading, so long as Nemo’s other extraordinary and human qualities aren’t given short shrift for the easy-movie shorthand of angsty-broodiness. I'd hate to see him reduced to being an underwater Punisher, for instance. I mean, certainly Nemo wreaks bloody vengeance against those who have wronged him, but his passion for science, exploration and knowledge make him more than your typical angel of death. Those qualities balance the man, and rudder the fantastic sights and sounds of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in a very human, very sympathetic source.
For Full Review: http://reflectionsonfilmandtelevision.blogspot.com/2009/04/book-review-20000-leagues-under-sea.html