Conseil Character Analysis in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Conseil is a 30-year-old Flemish man who works as Arronax’s servant and joins him on the Abraham Lincoln expedition. He is devoted to Arronax almost to the point of parody, several times attempting to sacrifice his own life in order to save that of his “master.” Aside from being selfless and compassionate, Conseil is highly intelligent, and helps Arronax with his scientific research. He forms a somewhat unlikely friendship with Ned Land, and often ends up calming Ned down when he falls into states of frenzy or despair about their status as captives aboard the Nautilus.

Conseil Quotes in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

The Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea quotes below are all either spoken by Conseil or refer to Conseil. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:

Scientific Discovery and Technological Innovation Theme Icon

“By the pluck!” he fumed. “Here are people as badly off as the Scotch for hospitality. They are gentle as cannibals. And I shouldn’t be surprised if they were man-eaters. But I’ll be right there when they start to swallow me.”

Related Characters: Ned Land (speaker), Conseil

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 33

Explanation and Analysis:

We were growing fast to our shell like snails, and I swear it must be easy to lead a snail’s existence. Thus, our undersea life began to seem natural to us, and we no longer thought of the days we used to spend on land.

Related Characters: Professor Pierre Arronax (speaker), Ned Land, Conseil

Related Literary Devices:

Page Number and Citation: 115-116

Explanation and Analysis:

Conseil Character Timeline in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

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

...to find the monster and remove it from the ocean. He calls on his servant, Conseil, a “faithful and devoted Flemish boy” who has accompanied Arronax everywhere he goes for the... (full context)

On the final night of the expedition, Arronax and Conseil stand looking out at the water, and Arronax laments that the whole effort was “a... (full context)

...he does so. He starts to drown, but then finds himself being pulled up by Conseil, who explains that when he saw Arronax disappear into the water, he swam in after... (full context)

...hope. However, after several hours he is paralyzed by a cramp. For a brief period Conseil tries to keep both of them afloat, but Arronax tells him to swim off and... (full context)

When Arronax wakes up, he is surprised to see Conseil and Ned standing before him. Ned explains that he was able to avoid drowning because... (full context)

Arronax is terrified. He is carried down a ladder along with Ned and Conseil. Fuming, Ned exclaims that the men who took them down there are barbaric. The prison... (full context)

Arronax introduces himself, Conseil, and Ned in French. When the two strangers don’t react, Arronax asks Ned to explain... (full context)

When Arronax wakes up, he finds Ned and Conseil still asleep. He is disheartened to see that they all remain inside the prison cell,... (full context)

The commander says that Arronax, Conseil, and Ned must give up their connections to the outside world. He reminds them that... (full context)

...powerful sailboat on board the submarine. Nemo and Arronax walk back through the ship, past Conseil and Ned, who are eating ravenously. In the kitchen, Arronax sees that all the food... (full context)

Arronax meets with Conseil and Ned inside the ship’s museum. Ned is confused, and Arronax slowly provides information about... (full context)

...the glass cases. On the following day, Nemo is once again absent. Arronax, Ned, and Conseil are confused; the situation feels surreal. On November 11, the Nautilus resurfaces in order to... (full context)

...and almost resemble suits of armor. After overcoming his initial hesitation, Ned joins Arronax and Conseil in putting on his suit. To Arronax’s embarrassment, he struggles to walk inside the outfit.... (full context)

Arronax wishes he could communicate with Conseil about the wonders before them, but because their submersion in the water prevents this, he... (full context)

On the first day of 1868, Conseil greets Arronax by wishing him a happy New Year. Arronax wonders if the new year... (full context)

Ned announces that he doesn’t think the Nautilus will ever move again. Conseil suggests that they ask Nemo for permission to walk around on land for a little... (full context)

...vegetables. They eat enthusiastically, then wonder how long they have been away from the submarine. Conseil comments, “How time flies when you’re on firm ground!” (full context)

...there are still no other signs of life on the vessel. The following day, Arronax, Conseil, and Ned decide to return to the island at dawn. They find some birds, which... (full context)

The men embark on another hunt, and before long Conseil lets out a shout of triumph. He has captured a bird alive, and discovered that... (full context)

...with shock. Another stone flies at them, this time knocking the pigeon leg out of Conseil’s hand. Ned asks if “apes” are the culprit, and Arronax replies that it’s “savages,” which... (full context)

...anything else to do, Arronax sets to work collecting specimens from the water, assisted by Conseil. He comes upon a shell so special that makes him scream in wonder. Distracted, he... (full context)

...career adventuring at sea—died in a railroad accident. After this conversation, Arronax goes to tell Conseil that according to Nemo, they don’t have anything to fear from the Papuans. He suggests... (full context)

...Feeling like he has no choice, Arronax obeys. Once down there, he tells Ned and Conseil what happened. (full context)

...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... (full context)

...troubled for the rest of the day and night. The next morning, Nemo asks Arronax, Conseil, and Ned to join him on an excursion away from the submarine. They accept. Having... (full context)

Arronax has developed a burning curiosity about the source of Nemo’s resentment toward human civilization. Conseil has his own theory—that Nemo is a “misunderstood genius”—but Arronax remains bewildered by Nemo’s rejection... (full context)

...day on the platform, fantasizing about encountering another vessel. In the early evening, he and Conseil spy a shoal of argonauts (a type of mollusk). The next day, the vessel is... (full context)

...fisheries. Nemo suggests they also hunt sharks, a prospect that terrifies Arronax. After Nemo leaves, Conseil and Ned come in, saying that Nemo has mentioned the pearl-fishing expedition to them, as... (full context)

...At six a.m., they arrive at the bay where the pearl fisheries are. Nemo, Arronax, Conseil, and Ned all don their special rubber suits, with the oxygen apparatus attached to the... (full context)

...warns that he should be careful not to miss. Sailors appear with a harpoon; Ned, Conseil, and Arronax climb in a boat along with six oarsmen and a boatswain, but Nemo... (full context)

The next day, February 12, Ned and Conseil are both stunned to hear that the Nautilus has arrived in the Mediterranean. Ned requests... (full context)

The next day, Arronax tells Conseil and Ned about what he saw the night before. They wonder aloud where Nemo could... (full context)

...been crushed, and Ned is severely disappointed. They pass over a bank of sand, and Conseil comments that this reef is like a “real isthmus joining Europe to Africa.” Arronax mentions... (full context)

...of the Atlantic Ocean. After breathing in some fresh air up on deck, he and Conseil retire to their respective cabins. For the first time, Ned comes into Arronax’s cabin, looking... (full context)

Ned explains that at nine p.m. that night, he and Conseil will sneak onto the submarine’s central staircase, while Arronax waits in the saloon. On their... (full context)

Arronax, Conseil, and Ned explore the volcanic island. Ned finds a hive of bees, and pauses to... (full context)

Conseil comments that Ned is swept up in memories of his former life, and the impossible... (full context)

...asks Nemo if they are at the South Pole, but Nemo isn’t sure. Along with Conseil, the two men set to work observing the local plants, sea creatures, and birds, including... (full context)

...with it. Eventually, they manage to get moving, and as they go Arronax, Ned, and Conseil gaze out the vessel’s window at the beauty of the ice. However, suddenly this ice... (full context)

...the ensuing hours, worried. Finally, there is another jolt to the boat, and Arronax grabs Conseil’s hand in terror. Nemo enters, and says that they are walled in by ice on... (full context)

...He says they will try to escape the ice trap by penetrating the walls. Arronax, Conseil, and Ned agree to participate in the effort to break the ice, and don their... (full context)

...the oxygen reservoirs are empty, and the effects can be strongly felt aboard the vessel. Conseil sticks close to Arronax, saying he wishes he could stop breathing to give more oxygen... (full context)

...Ned possibly carries him. The first words he says are in gratitude to Ned and Conseil. Ned says that he wants to use this moment of bonding for them to promise... (full context)

Arronax, Ned, and Conseil discuss their situation. They have now been “prisoners hand and foot” for six months, and... (full context)

Ned is incredulous, but Conseil insists it’s true. However, he then reveals that he saw the scene was depicted in... (full context)

...to know his story. However, when Arronax brings up the possibility of himself, Ned, and Conseil leaving the submarine, Nemo gets angry. He insists that no one shall leave the Nautilus... (full context)

...distracted by a faint booming sound. He goes up to the platform, where Ned and Conseil are already standing and looking out at a vessel in the distance, the steamer Arronax... (full context)

...before them is his “oppressor,” who took his family from him. Arronax finds Ned and Conseil and suggests that they take this opportunity to try and escape on the other ship.... (full context)

...lasts around 15 days. He barely sees Nemo, or any members of the Nautilus’s crew. Conseil keeps a close eye on Ned, worrying that he will kill himself. However, after 15... (full context)

...the hut of a fisherman on the Lofoden Isles. He is lying next Ned and Conseil, and they all hug each other tightly. It takes a while for them to be... (full context)

Conseil Character Analysis

Conseil Quotes in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Part 1, Chapter 8 Quotes

Part 1, Chapter 23 Quotes

Conseil Character Timeline in Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea