Speech therapy portal / Dysarthria / Jules Verne - Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Twenty thousand leagues under the sea 20 thousand leagues under the sea summary

Jules Verne - Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. Twenty thousand leagues under the sea 20 thousand leagues under the sea summary

21.01.2024

Jules Verne

Twenty thousand leagues under the sea

Around the world trip in the depths of the sea

PART ONE

1. FLOATING REEF

The year 1866 was marked by an amazing incident, which is probably still remembered by many. Not to mention the fact that rumors circulating in connection with the inexplicable phenomenon in question worried residents of coastal cities and continents, they also sowed anxiety among sailors. Merchants, shipowners, ship captains, skippers in both Europe and America, sailors in the navies of all countries, even the governments of various states of the Old and New Worlds were preoccupied with an event that defied explanation.

The fact is that for some time now many ships began to encounter some long, phosphorescent, spindle-shaped object in the sea, far superior to a whale in both size and speed of movement.

The entries made in the logbooks of different ships are surprisingly similar in describing the appearance of the mysterious creature or object, the unheard-of speed and strength of its movements, as well as the peculiarities of its behavior. If it was a cetacean, then, judging by the descriptions, it was larger in size than all representatives of this order hitherto known to science. Neither Cuvier, nor Lacepede, nor Dumeril, nor Quatrefage would have believed in the existence of such a phenomenon without seeing it with their own eyes, or rather, with the eyes of scientists.

Leaving aside the overly cautious estimates, according to which the notorious creature was no more than two hundred feet in length, rejecting the obvious exaggerations according to which it was depicted as some kind of giant - one mile wide, three miles long! - still, it was necessary to assume, adhering to the golden mean, that the outlandish animal, if it exists, significantly exceeds the dimensions established by modern zoologists.

Given the human tendency to believe in all sorts of miracles, it is easy to understand how minds were excited by this unusual phenomenon. Some tried to attribute this whole story to the realm of empty rumors, but in vain! The animal still existed; this fact was not subject to the slightest doubt.

On July 20, 1866, the ship Governor Higinson of the Calcutta and Burnach Shipping Company encountered a huge floating mass five miles off the eastern shores of Australia. Captain Baker thought at first that he had discovered an uncharted reef; he began to establish its coordinates, but then two columns of water suddenly burst out of the depths of this dark mass and, with a whistle, flew into the air one and a half hundred feet. What is the reason? An underwater reef subject to geyser eruptions? Or simply some kind of marine mammal that threw fountains of water out of its nostrils along with air?

On July 23 of the same year, a similar phenomenon was observed in the waters of the Pacific Ocean from the steamship Cristobal Colon, owned by the Pacific West Indies Shipping Company. Have you ever heard of any cetacean being able to move at such supernatural speed? Within three days, two steamships - the Governor-Higinson and the Cristobal-Colon - met him at two points on the globe, separated from each other by more than seven hundred sea leagues! [sea league equals 5555 m]

Fifteen days later, two thousand leagues from the above-mentioned place, the steamships Helvetia, of the National Shipping Company, and Chanon, of the Royal Mail Steamship Company, traveling on counter-tack, having met in the Atlantic Ocean on the way between America and Europe, discovered the sea a monster at 42 o 15" north latitude and 60 o 35" longitude, west of the Greenwich meridian. During joint observation, it was established by eye that the length of the mammal reaches at least three hundred and fifty English feet [an English foot is equal to 30.4 cm]. They proceeded from the calculation that "Chanon" and "Helvetia" were smaller than the animal, although both had a hundred meters from stem to stern. The largest whales found in the area of the Aleutian Islands did not exceed fifty-six meters in length - if they reached such sizes at all!

These reports came one after another, new messages from the transatlantic steamer "Parer", the collision of the monster with the ship "Etna", a report drawn up by the officers of the French frigate "Normandie", and a detailed report received from Commodore Fitz-James on board " Lord Clyde,” all this seriously alarmed public opinion. In frivolous countries, the phenomenon served as an inexhaustible topic of jokes, but in positive and practical countries, like England, America, and Germany, they became keenly interested in it.

In all capitals, the sea monster became fashionable: songs were sung about it in cafes, it was mocked in newspapers, it was displayed on the stage of theaters. The opportunity has opened for newspaper ducks to lay eggs of all colors. Magazines began to bring to light all sorts of fantastic giants, ranging from the white whale, the terrible “Moby Dick” of the Arctic countries, to monstrous octopuses, which are able to entangle a ship with a displacement of five hundred tons with their tentacles and drag it into the depths of the ocean. They unearthed ancient manuscripts, the works of Aristotle and Pliny, who admitted the existence of sea monsters, the Norwegian stories of the Bishop of Pontopidan, the messages of Paul Gegged and, finally, the reports of Harrington, whose integrity is beyond doubt, who claimed that in 1857, while on board “ Castillan,” he saw with his own eyes the monstrous sea serpent, which until that time had visited only the waters of the blessed memory of “Constituciónelle.”

In learned societies and on the pages of scientific journals, an endless polemical fuss arose between believers and non-believers. The monstrous animal provided an exciting topic. Journalists, fans of science, in the fight against their opponents, who used their wits, spilled streams of ink into this memorable epic; and some of them even shed two or three drops of blood, because because of this sea serpent it literally came to the point of fighting!

This war lasted for six months with varying success. To serious scientific articles from the journals of the Brazilian Geographical Institute, the Berlin Royal Academy of Sciences, the British Association, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, to the discussion of the reputable journals “Indian Archipelago”, “Cosmos” by Abbé Moignot, “Mitteilungen” Petermann, to scientific notes from reputable French and foreign newspapers The tabloid press responded with endless ridicule. Parodying a saying of Linnaeus cited by one of the monster’s opponents, magazine wits argued that “nature does not create fools,” and implored their contemporaries not to insult nature by attributing to it the creation of implausible octopuses, sea snakes, and various “Moby Dicks” that exist. de only in the frustrated imagination of the sailors! Finally, a popular satirical magazine, in the person of a famous writer, rushed to the sea miracle, like a new Hippolytus, dealt him, with everyone laughing, the last blow with the pen of a humorist. Wit has triumphed over science.

In the first months of 1867, the question of the new miracle seemed to be buried, and, apparently, it was not destined to be resurrected. But then new facts became known to the public. It was no longer a question of solving an interesting scientific problem, but of a serious, real danger. The question took on a new light. The sea monster has turned into an island, a rock, a reef, but the reef is wandering, elusive, mysterious!

On March 5, 1867, the steamer Moravia, owned by the Montreal Ocean Company, at 27 o 30" latitude and 72 o 15" longitude, hit underwater rocks at full speed, not indicated on any navigator's charts. Thanks to a fair wind and a four-hundred-horsepower engine, the steamer made thirteen knots. The blow was so strong that, if the ship’s hull had not had exceptional strength, the collision would have ended in the death of the ship and two hundred and thirty-seven people, including the crew and passengers it was carrying from Canada.

The collision occurred around five o'clock in the morning, at dawn. The officers on watch rushed to the stern. They examined the surface of the ocean most carefully. But they didn’t notice anything suspicious, except for a large wave raised on the water surface at a distance of three cable lengths. Having established the coordinates, Moravia continued on its way without obvious signs of an accident. What did the ship stumble upon? To an underwater reef or to the wreck of a broken ship? Nobody knew this. But later, at the dock, when examining the underwater part of the ship, it turned out that part of the keel was damaged.

The incident, serious in itself, would probably have been quickly forgotten, like many others, had it not been repeated three weeks later under the same conditions. And due to the fact that the damaged ship was flying the flag of a major power and belonged to an influential shipping company, the accident received wide publicity.

Captain Nemo

A brief summary will help schoolchildren understand J. Verne’s books. "20 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" is a work that is the best example of science fiction. The story is told on behalf of Professor Aronnax. Together with his three friends, by chance he found himself on board a submarine.

However, the main character is her owner, Captain Nemo. This person is mysterious in every way. The author discovered its origin only in the final part of the trilogy (“The Mysterious Island”). However, even without this, this person arouses interest among readers with the depth of his knowledge, extraordinary intelligence and love of freedom.

Thus, we learn that he helps oppressed peoples fight for independence. And it was not for nothing that Vern put into his mouth the following phrase, imbued with humanistic pathos: “We need new people, not new continents!” At the same time, the captain is cruel in his anger. Avenging the death of his loved ones and comrades, he sinks English ships, terrifying many sea powers.

Professor Aronnax

Fans of the works of J. Verne may be interested in their summary. “20 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” is an amazing story about how the narrator, along with his assistant Conseil and the harpooner Land, ended up on the submarine Nautilus.

Finding themselves in the position of honorary prisoners of her captain, they nevertheless had the opportunity to make an exciting trip around the world under the ocean and witness unforgettable events. It is thanks to the professor that the reader gets acquainted with the underwater fauna, and also experiences adventures with him: a walk through Atlantis, sea hunting, penetration into the mouth of a volcano and many others.

A brief summary of the work will help you get an idea of the characters in the work in question. "20 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" is a novel whose characters are distinguished by carefully written characters. The professor's personality evokes deep sympathy: he is smart, educated, and accommodating. The author puts into his mouth a phrase full of deep humanistic meaning: “Every person, just because he is a person, is worthy of thinking about him.”

Conseil

A brief summary helps to understand the characteristics of the characters in the work. “20 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” is a book whose characters are as original as the plot. Professor Conseil's assistant turned out to be especially colorful. This is an imperturbable and phlegmatic young man who is completely devoted to his master and science.

So, during a shipwreck, he jumped into the sea after him, risking his life. During the voyage of the Nautilus, he more than once helped his comrades with his advice. This character also carries a comedic load, as he constantly flaunts scientific terms throughout the story. In addition, his composure and equanimity, even in the most critical moments, will more than once make the reader smile.

Ned Land

Jules Verne is rightfully considered one of the most famous science fiction writers. 20 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is the best example of science fiction. In addition, the writer gave the reader interesting characters for whom you really want to worry and sympathize.

Ned Land is a harpooner who also fell into the sea during a shipwreck. This is a very simple, practical, open person who does not mince words. His comments about the adventures happening to him will more than once make the reader smile: “I do not regret that I had the opportunity to make an underwater trip. I will remember it with pleasure, but for this it must end.” At the same time, he is a very enterprising and energetic man. So, it was he who organized and arranged the escape from the Nautilus.

Place in the author's work

20 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea is a novel that is part of an adventure series written by Verne. This is an outstanding work in which the writer’s creative principles are most fully reflected. Perhaps, it was in this book that he managed to immerse his reader in the world of science and technology in the most fascinating way. The work “20 Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,” quotes from which prove the author’s humanistic pathos, is still loved by readers today.

TWENTY THOUSAND LEAGUES UNDER THE WATER Novel (1870) Nemo, captain (Prince Dakkar) - explorer of the depths of the sea, inventor and owner of the fantastic submarine "Nautilus", which from time to time appears on the surface of the seas, is perceived by everyone as a kind of supernatural and dangerous representative of cetaceans, becoming an object not only of curiosity, but also of hunting. The ship "Abraham Lincoln", which specially went in search of an unknown "animal", is defeated in a battle with it. Miraculously surviving scientist-naturalist Pierre Aronnax, his servant Conseil and whaler Ned Land find themselves on board the Nautilus, become prisoners of N. and travel with him around the world, traveling twenty thousand leagues under water; These events form the plot of the novel of the same name. The name of the hero is symbolic (Latin Nemo - no one). N.'s past, his conflict with society, which led to the final break, and his real name are shrouded in mystery. Flight from the world and the lack of clarity of its motivation, spiritual loneliness, kinship with a powerful element - all this gives N.'s appearance the features of a romantic hero. The narration is told on behalf of Pierre Aronnax, who, understanding the uniqueness of N.’s personality, tries to be objective.

Constantly declared hatred of humanity, which in N.’s mind is identified with the idea of violence and injustice, and his periodic search for contact with people; passionate love of freedom and deliberate confinement of oneself in the limited space of the Nautilus; sometimes terrifying severity, emphasized restraint and moments of spiritual liberation given to playing the organ - such obvious contradictions cannot escape the gaze of a close observer, which is Aronnax. However, the atmosphere of mystery is maintained almost until the end of the story. Only in the last chapters of the novel “The Mysterious Island” does the author shed light on the secret of N., who turns out to be the omniscient and omnipresent patron of the island on which the described events, typical of a Robinsonade, unfold. N. saved the lives of the inhabitants of the island, who, not knowing to whom they owed their lives, trusted in him as providence. His Nautilus found its final refuge in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Feeling the approach of death, N. decides to reveal himself to people: impulses of compassion, the desire to help them melted the ice of misanthropy in him.

Telling the story of his life, half of which was spent in voluntary imprisonment at sea, N. appears as a spiritual brother of romantic heroes, whose fate is always injustice and persecution. An Indian by birth, brilliantly gifted and having received a comprehensive education in Europe, Prince Dakkar (this is N.'s true name) led an uprising against English rule in his homeland; the uprising ended in defeat. Death did not spare any of Dakkar's friends or family members. Filled with hatred for everything that happens in the world, which does not know what freedom and independence are, he found refuge from the evil happening in the world under water, in the depths of the seas.

The writer, geographer Jules Verne, is a classic of science fiction literature. The novel “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” is an excursion into the animal and plant world. Secrets of the ship, its crew and the captain himself. Science fiction with encyclopedic knowledge.

A cetacean-shaped monster appeared in the watery expanses of the seas and oceans, attacking ships in the seas and oceans. The decision was made to destroy the monster. For this purpose, a research expedition was created on the frigate Abraham Lincoln with Captain Faragut and his team: Professor Aronnax, assistant Conseil, and whaler Ned Land.

The ship had modern technical equipment and was heading to the Pacific basin, where a monster called the “narwhal” lived. Aronnax and Ned became friends; the whaler did not believe in the veracity of the story and considered it far-fetched. The ship's captain offered a $2,000 reward to the first person to discover the narwhal. For 3 months, the Frigate sailed in the Pacific Ocean, but did not discover any monster. The captain decided to turn the ship to European seas.

At night, Ned discovered the narwhal. The captain chases the monster, but he manages to escape. Throughout the next day, the captain caught up with the monster, fired his weapon, but to no avail. Iron cannonballs and harpoons flew away from the monster with a metallic ringing sound. The narwhal sent a powerful jet of water at the Frigate, which washed it into the ocean. The ship crashed and the crew found themselves on the back of an iron monster.

After some time, the “narwhal” began to move, increasing speed and diving under water. The frigate's crew pounded on the ship's hull, and finally the hatch opened and they were lowered into the submarine. They became prisoners, the captain of the boat came down to them, who announced the granting of freedom, and on the boat took from them a word about non-interference in his affairs.

Aronnax guessed that there was some kind of secret here that forced the captain of the Nautilus submarine to go into the open spaces and leave the land. The boat was built according to the design of Captain Nemo, its movement was carried out using the electricity of a sodium battery. Everything for life support was obtained from the depths of the sea, even clothes made from sea grass.

Captain Nemo proposed cooperation to Professor Aronnax. His plans included a trip around the world to all the oceans of the Earth. A few days later, in writing, he invited the captives to Crespo Island to hunt in the ocean. During their stay on the boat, the captives had to face many different adventures with:

a walk around the island of Ceylon;
transition from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean through a tunnel;
transferring a chest of gold to a Greek;
collision with an iceberg;
escaping in a boat of prisoners off the coast of Norway.

Due to a whirlpool, the friends found themselves in a fisherman's hut. Upon returning home, the professor wrote notes about the journey to “Twenty Thousand Leagues.” The book makes you think: about good and evil, justice, freedom and will.