The Influences of Politics, Science, and Discovery on Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Jules Verne’s science fiction novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea delivers profound insight into historical events which influenced the work. Through Verne’s descriptive style, one is able to ascertain various political and foreign policy aspects that involved France during the time the novel was written. In addition, worldly issues and struggles can be accurately assessed. Due to Verne’s “detail and determination to explore questions of liberty and authority,” it is evident that he largely incorporates personal opinion and ideas into his works (“Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” Literature and Its Times). Verne also integrates Victorian Era interest such as technology and science. Although many facets of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea seem relatively impractical, they represent ongoing advancement during the time, set a precedent for future developments or are derived from previous inventions. Regardless of how the novel is perceived, it has contributed a plethora of lasting impacts to the world.

In Verne’s original manuscript of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, there existed a controversial aspect that he remained “passionate about and determined to use” (“Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” Literature and Its Times). During the closing chapters of the first manuscript, Verne portrayed Captain Nemo as a Polish man, who vehemently destroyed a Russian warship. Throughout this original scene, Nemo demonstrates a vast hatred and resentment for Russia. Based upon this event, it can be inferred that it serves as a reference to Russian oppression of Poland. Historically, Poland has long endured a problematic relationship with the Russian nation. This difficult relationship escalated to a peak of conflic...

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...ly Verne’s work provided him with a way to convey his political and economical views of the period to a wider audience.

Works Cited

Verne, Jules. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. (1870). London: Penguin Group, 1986. Print.

Schoell, William. Remarkable Journeys: The Story of Jules Verne. 1st. Greensboro, NC: Morgan Reynolds Publishing, 2002. Print.

Butcher, William. “Hidden Treasures: The Manuscripts of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.” Science Fiction Studies 32.1 (2005): 43-60. Print.

“Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.” Literature and Its Times. 2. Joyce Moss and George Wilson, eds. Detroit, MI: Gale Publishing Group, 1997. Print.

Schoonover, Thomas. The French in Central America: Culture and Commerce, 1820-1930. Wilmington DE: Scholarly Resources Inc., 2000. Web 10 Jan. 2012.