20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

Intellect, Precision, Courtesy; The Makings of a Leader

The ocean swells around you like a dust devil in a sandbox. Salt water fills your nostrils. The ship that deemed this fate upon you sails into the distance. You wonder, how am I going to get out of this one? Suddenly, a large metal object plants itself beneath your feet. A porthole opens and men carry you inside the belly of the large iron beast floating nether you. What’s going to happen now? In Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, this is exactly what main characters M. Aronmax, his servant Conseil, and Ned Land the harpooner, were thinking. After a hefty six-hour wait of being locked in a dark cell, the door opens. A man who introduces himself as Captain Nemo, an obvious leader and a man of stature, claims to have built the submersible in order to travel the world without ever having to step back on the land which he so greatly rejects. Reflection on the qualities of leadership reveals how Captain Nemo’s character enabled him to do exactly this.

It is soon apparent that Captain Nemo a man of keen intellect. His knowledge of the sea, the many languages he speaks, and the education he has given his men all contribute the success of his ship’s goal, to explore. Examples of his intelligence are rampant throughout the novel. In a burial at sea the captain decided to envelop the body, not only in a coral reef, but also in byssus to seal it for eternity and protect it from sharks. The uncommon understanding of the effects of byssus, or other plant life, demonstrates his depth of research. Using one’s intellect to benefit practical concerns instills admiration and confidence in those serving you. His many years of study also contributed to a broad knowledge of languages: “ ‘Gentlemen’,'; said he, in a calm and penetrating voice, ‘I speak French, English, German, and Latin equally well’ ';. Knowing many languages is essential to becoming a great sea captain for you never know when or where you might travel. Nemo also has the ability to apply his knowledge into educating his men. It was his genius mind that taught them where to gather, and piece together, the components that would later become the Nautilus. All in all, Captain Nemo is...

... middle of paper ...

...e in an inferior position to oneself. With his respectful attitude, the captain is able to put his “guests'; at ease. “The island of Ceylon, noted for it’s pearl-fisheries. Would you like to visit one of them M. Aronmax?'; Offering options to those with little control over their lives bestows them with a sense of power, however false it may be. A courteous attitude goes a long way to establish positive long-term relationships among those who may be spending extended periods of time together.

Many qualities are in force to make a great leader. Captain Nemo has all of these. His well developed mind allowed him to not only deal with the technological details of the submersible, but also to deal with those around him in an advantageous way. The smooth running of any business is enhanced by attention to the smallest details. Nemo had a great capacity for the minutia of both his life and his work. A successful business depends on the respect a leader gains from his workers. When the captain showed respect he received respect in return. The three prisoners could consider themselves fortunate to be in the hands of such a leader.