Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

• Genre: Fiction; science fiction/adventure
• Originally Published: 1870
• Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 930L; grades 9-12; college/adult
• Structure/Length: 2 parts, 46 chapters; approximately 190 pages; approximately 11 hours, 13 minutes on audio
• Protagonist/Central Conflict: Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea follows the adventures of Professor Pierre Aronnax, his loyal servant Conseil, and harpooner Ned Land as they embark on a journey aboard the submarine Nautilus, led by the enigmatic Captain Nemo. The central conflict revolves around their encounters with the mysterious Captain Nemo, who takes them on a voyage beneath the ocean's surface to explore its wonders and mysteries. As they travel deeper into the underwater world, they grapple with questions of science, morality, and the boundaries of human knowledge. The novel is known for its vivid descriptions of marine life and its exploration of the relationship between man and nature.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Involuntary confinement; colonialism and 19th century prejudices toward non-European peoples; hunting and animal killing/cruelty

Jules Verne, Author

• Bio: Born 1828, deceased 1905; French novelist known as one of the pioneers of science fiction literature; celebrated for his visionary works that foreshadowed technological advancements; authored numerous adventure and science fiction novels that continue to be celebrated for their imaginative storytelling
• Other Works: Journey to the Center of the Earth (1864); From the Earth to the Moon (1865); Around the World in Eighty Days (1873)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• Nature Versus Technology
• Liberty Versus Imprisonment
• Innovation, Exploration, and Discovery
• Friendship
• The Perils of Vengeance

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Explore background information on Jules Verne and his relationship to the genre of science fiction to increase their engagement with and understanding of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
• Read/study paired texts and other brief resources to deepen their understanding of themes related to Nature Versus Technology; Liberty Versus Imprisonment; Innovation, Exploration, and Discovery; Friendship; and The Perils of Vengeance.
• Demonstrate their understanding of the symbolic value of the Nautilus by designing and reflecting on a self-contained world of their own.
• Analyze the significance of various elements of the novel, such as characterization, symbolism, plot detail, language, and setting; construct essay responses tying these to the novel’s meaning.