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
In the water, Arronax sees the Abraham Lincoln and attempts to swim toward it, shouting for help as 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 him. Conseil adds that the monster “chewed to bits” the screw and rudder of the Abraham Lincoln. Conseil notices that Arronax’s clothes are making it difficult for him to swim, so—after getting permission—cuts them off. Conseil believes that their only hope of survival is waiting for one of the Abraham Lincoln’s boats to rescue them, so they hold onto each other and take turns keeping themselves afloat.
Arronax and Conseil’s potential drowning is an immediate reminder of the dangers of the ocean. Indeed, it could be read as an affront to the hubris of those aboard the Abraham Lincoln, who were attempting to assert their control and supremacy over the ocean yet who were starkly reminded that the water (and its mysterious inhabitants) will always have more power than them.
Themes
Despite the dire circumstances, Arronax manages not to lose 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 save himself. Conseil says he would rather drown than leave Arronax. Arronax can see the ship about five miles away; no boats are in sight. He starts to cry. Conseil weakly shouts for help, and they hear a faint response. They try to see who it is, but before long both men lose consciousness.
Conseil’s total devotion to Arronax could be read as moving, yet it could also be seen as unrealistic and even sinister. The fact that Conseil would so gladly sacrifice his own life suggests that he has internalized the unequal dynamic between master and servant as necessary and right, even to his own detriment.
Themes
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 he managed to get on top of the “narwhal,” which it turns out is made of iron. Arronax immediately looks up and investigates the ground beneath him. He realizes that what they thought was the monster is actually a man-made object—a “submersible boat.” At this point a loud sound emerges from the boat, and they begin to move. Arronax realizes that it is urgent that they communicate with whoever is inside the object. Soon after, a hatch opens, and a single man emerges and lets out a cry of shock. He is joined by seven others, all wearing masks, who take Arronax, Ned, and Conseil down into the ship.
This is the first and most important plot twist of the novel. While the reader will have been preparing to encounter a story about a mysterious sea creature, it turns out that the novel actually revolves around a manmade object. This is one of the moments when the narrative thus shifts away from fantasy and toward an early version of science fiction.
Themes
