“The sea is only the embodiment of
a supernatural and wonderful existence.
It is nothing but love and emotion;
it is the Living Infinite…”
Jules Verne
Courtesy of Natural World Facts:
Courtesy of TED-Ed:
“I dream with my eyes open.”
Jules Verne
Courtesy of BBC Earth:
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea
JULES VERNE
8 February 1828 – 24 March 1905
Courtesy of Pathbooks:
Before submarines were actually invented, Jules Verne, a prolific French pioneer of science fiction and one of the most widely read authors in history, was dreaming of what it would be like to use one to travel around the world underwater. And although 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is now considerably more than a hundred years old, it is still a thrilling and wonderfully entertaining fantasy of deep-sea adventure.
“Études, Op. 25 – No. 12 in C Minor ‘Ocean'” by Frédéric Chopin, performed by Jan Lisiecki:
The story opens with the sighting of a mysterious sea monster. An expedition is mounted to hunt it down, and the novel’s narrator, marine biologist Pierre Aronnax, joins the crew. The search extends into the Pacific, where the creature is finally found and attacked. During the fight, Professor Aronnax, his assistant Conseil, and harpooner Ned Land are thrown overboard. They end upright on top of the beast – which, they discover, is, in fact, an underwater vehicle.
Brought inside, the trio meets the ship’s inventor and commander, Captain Nemo. Brilliant, odd, slightly crazed, and with a name that is Latin for “No One,” Nemo teaches his guests about his amazing electrically powered submarine, which he has christened the Nautilus. Off they all set, through the underwater world, seeing its marvels as no one has before. Incidentally, twenty thousand leagues is the distance the Nautilus travels, not the depth to which it descends. Eventually, after feasting their eyes on awe-inspiring wonders as well as surviving the onslaught of a giant squid, Aronnax and his two pals escape from the Nautilus and make it back to land.
When it comes to describing life beneath the waves, Verne mixes reported facts with his abundant imagination, and this is what keeps the book still interesting today. And although Verne was prophetic in some ways, including military use of submarines, the real reason to read “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” is to be on board as a master storyteller explores the watery deep.
“Pure Imagination” by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse (courtesy of Benjamin T. Davids):
Verne’s other famous works included “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” and “Around the World in Eighty Days.” There have been several adaptations of Verne’s works. From a 1916 silent movie right up to the present day, Verne’s sagas have attracted numerous filmmakers, TV producers, and animators. The famous adaptation is the 1954 Disney version starring James Mason as Captain Nemo and Kirk Douglas and Peter Lorre.
Courtesy of JP Bazinet:
An image from “From the Earth to the Moon” by Jules Verne
An extract from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea:
“In the year 1866, the whole maritime population of Europe and America was excited by the mysterious and inexplicable phenomenon. This excitement was not confined to merchants, common sailors, sea captains, shippers, and naval officers of all countries, but the governments of many states on the two continents were deeply interested. The excitement was caused by an enormous ‘something’ that ships were often meeting. It was a long, spindle-shaped, and sometimes phosphorescent object, much larger and more rapid than a whale. The different accounts that were written of this object in various log-books agreed generally as to its structure, wonderful speed, and the peculiar life with which it appeared endowed.
The sound of whales singing underwater, which could have been heard by the heroes of Verne’s novel:
If it was a cetacean it surpassed in bulk all those that had hitherto been classified. Moreover, reliable sightings many leagues apart, yet close in time, showed that the monster could move at tremendous speed, and was at home in warm water or in cold. In all the great centres the monster became the fashion; it was sung about in cafes, scoffed at in the newspapers, and represented at all the theatres. It gave an opportunity for hoaxes of every description.”
“In the year of 1867, some fresh facts changed it from a scientific problem to be solved to a real and serious danger to be avoided. On 5 March, the Moravian, of the Montreal Ocean Company, sailing in the northwest Atlantic, struck her starboard quarter on a rock which no chart gave in at that point. She was then going at the rate of thirteen knots under the combined efforts of the wind and her 400 horsepower. Had it not been for the more than ordinary strength of the hull in the Moravian she would have been broken by the shock, and have gone down with the 237 passengers she was bringing from Canada.”
By comparison, the different sounds made by humpback whales, which are famous for being the most altruistic animal. If interested, please take a look at my post “Can Animals Be Altruistic?”
“Nocturnes, L. 91, CD 98: III. Sirénes” by Claude Debussy, performed by Yan Pascal Tortelier, Ulster Orchestra, and The Renaissance Singers (courtesy of Fafner888):
naturetails 
Love this novel and your summary. Submarineswere around prior to the publication of 20,000 Leagues under the sea. Turtle was the world’s first submersible vessel with a documented record of use in combat. It was built in 1775 by American David Bushnell as a means of attaching explosive charges to ships in a harbor, for use against the Royal Navy during the American Revolutionary War. H. L. Hunley, often referred to as Hunley, CSS H. L. Hunley, or as CSS Hunley, was a submarine of the Confederate States of America that played a small part in the American Civil War. Hunley demonstrated the advantages and the dangers of undersea warfare.
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He was the first sci-fi writer I read and loved.
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Hello. I saw the Disney film version of 20,000 Leagues in a movie theater when I was a kid. I still remember a scene or two. It’s great that several of Verne’s books are still read all these years later. He could tell a tale!
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Thank you, Neil, for your kind comment! The adaptations of the Verner’s books is happening all the time I saw one recently on the BBC 4.
Thank you, Neil, again, greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Oh what would it be like to use a submarine to travel around the world underwater. I don’t know if I could travel underwater in such close quarters without seeing the sights underwater. These books allow us to imagine. Great compilation Joanna!
-Kym
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It’s a long time since I read any Jules Verne but this post takes me right back to my teenage years! He was such an amazing story teller. Thanks, Joanna, for another great post. 🌹💌🤗🙋♂️
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Thank you, Kym, for your interesting comments! Great visionary imagination, but I prefer terra firmer!
Joanna
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Thank you, Ashley, for your generous and kind comments! Great imagination creates unique works, and often visionary.
Thank you again, your words are deeply appreciated, especially all the emojis.
Joanna
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Bravo Joanna! 🤗👏🏼😀
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Thank you!
Joanna
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Maybe the reason species so far beneath the sea flourish in the absence of human beings. It is indeed a daunting environment with some scary-looking inhabitants. Jules Verne obviously had great insight as well as imagination. I remember those films well. Another great presentation Joanna with beautiful film and music.
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Thank you, Carolyn, for your perceptive comments! I think you might be right.
If humans were to become extinct who would inherit the earth?
I think the answer would be insects…
Joanna
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Thank you, Sadje, for your kind comment! Greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Thank you, Pat. for your interesting comments! You are a fountain of knowledge! Thank you!
Joanna
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Jules Verne was an amazing visionary and creative writer. Great article Joanna! 👌🏻❤️
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As always, you are very kind, Joanna. I was a history major im college and still enjoy learning about it.
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Another marvellous post Joanna. What a storyteller he was, or was he gifted with visions of what was to come? We’ll never know! The whale song is fantastic and we will never fully understand the miracles of nature. I wonder how far man’s pollution has extended into the depths of the oceans? I have read of pollution at 10km deep!
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Thank you, Pat! I am standing to attention while typing this!
Joanna
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Thank you Peter, for your wonderful comments! It is a fact that we created all the problems affecting the future of the planet. Have we time to reverse the damage? That is the question…
Joanna
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Here is a book I have not read yet! Loved this intro to the author and a look at some descriptive artwork. 🙂
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Oh sweetie, it’s my pleasure! 😀💖😊 Cheers! 🥂
-Kym
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It’s a pleasure Joanna 🥹
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Yet another great choice Joanna. Jules Verne knew how to capture people’s imagination and he certainly captured mine – just like you have with your marvellous writing, pictures, videos and music. I can’t tell you how much I’m enjoying this series of posts. This one got me wondering as to whether Jacques Cousteau ever read 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Great stuff Joanna. Keep up the good work 😊
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Thank you, Malc, for such wonderful comments! Reading your views, I can only strive to write for as long as I am alive!
Thank you! I think, that Jacques Cousteau being an educated man, and Frenchman must have read Jules Verne’s works.
Thank you again, Malc, the praise from someone as accomplished as you are, is great praise to cherish indeed!
Joanna
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Beautiful story! Well reviewed! Thanks for sharing! 👍
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You’re far too kind Joanna. You deserve all the praise you get 🙂
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I think, Kind, is your middle name, Malc!
But thank you!
Joanna
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You’re more than welcome Joanna.
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Thank you, Priti, for your kind comment! Greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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He had a vision, and I enjoyed this compilation of music, images, context, and video. Seeing the movie in my youth is still as vivid as ever, but I’ve never read the book. Thanks, Joanna!
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Thank you, Lauren, for your kind comment. Greatly appreciated.
As he wrote many well know books, perhaps you might be tempted to read one.
Joanna
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I’m already tempted, Joanna. Your blog posts are wonderful for that reason.
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Thank you, Lauren! Try “In 80 Days Around the World”, you will like it!
Joanna
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Thanks for the recommendation, Joanna! I’ll take it! Have a wonderful day!
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You are welcome!
Joanna
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That’s another classic I haven’t read, Joanna, but of course, I know of. This year, my goal is to read more classics, and re-read those I have read years ago. And in the meantime, I’m working on a new poetry book. Breathe. 🙂
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Good, You will have busy year!
Joanna
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A good and exciting busy though. 💞
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Dear Joanna, thank you for another gem in your GBW series that talks about immortal science fiction by Jules Verne, a prolific science fiction author. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea was one of the most thrilling books ever written and read, and certainly ahead of its time, leagues ahead.
Long ago, I had read this engrossing fantasy of deep sea adventure, but the idea and story of the book remain fresh in the mind. I loved the most memorable and elusive character of Captain Nemo.
The quote of Jules Verne, ‘I dream with eyes open’ reminds me of a similar quote by our former President, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, “Dream is not one you see while sleeping, it is something that does not let you sleep.”
Your videos are mesmerizing to watch and listen. These along with beautiful pictures are truly feast for both the eyes and the mind. Thanks so much, Joanna, for publishing another wonderful and captivating post that entertained me this Sunday evening.
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Thank you, Dear Kaushal, for such wonderful comments! I always wait for your words that make my day happy!
The quote of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is in my precious book of quotes already, thanks to you, my teacher.
Thank you, Kaushal, again, for finding time on Sunday, and I deeply appreciate and cherish your words!
Joanna
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You’re welcome, Joanna, always! It’s always a pleasure to read your posts.
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Thank you!
Joanna
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Joanna, what beautiful underwater videography to open with! Jules Verne was a writer for young boys – adventure and fantasy. He introduced me to science fiction. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is an imaginative tale for anyone, but especially an Aquarian. I remember first seeing the movie and being captured by Verne’s imagination and sense of adventure. And it was frightening as well. I was similarly entranced by movies from two other books: “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and “Around the World in 80 Days”. Somehow, I missed they were books by Jules Verne. At the end, the video attached to Debussy has some brilliant ocean scenes as well as a variety of mermaids. Again, more fantasy! Stewart
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You have shared another wonderful post, Joanna
I have always loved 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea-
When I was a child I was given a stereoscope to see three-dimensional images using disks. A series contained that story , and I enjoyed watching it again and again!
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Thank you, Dear Luisa, for your kind comments, and your interesting addition which is something I didn’t know about!
Joanna
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Here you can find information on that device: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/View-Master
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Thank you, Luisa!
Joanna
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You’re welcome, dear Joanna
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Thank you!
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Good one..
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