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The summary of

20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA 1

CHAPTER 1 : A Shifting Reef

            The story begins with a mysterious sea monster, there was a big giant narwhal. The story started in the year 1866. There are something happen as an “unexplainable” and “strange” event. Everyone in Europe and America are talking about it. There are the sea men  in particular are disturbed. There are many ships report the sighting of a huge creature, rapidly moving and with blowholes. People in all the city sing and discuss about the “monster.” Even the scientific community debates over the existence and nature of the creature. The United States government finally assembles an expedition in New York City to track down and destroy the menace.

CHAPTER 2 : Pros and Cons

            Pierre Aronnax, the narrator of the story,  introduces himself as a scientist and lecturer at the Museum of Natural History in Paris. He has been doing work in the Badlands of Nebraska. Shortly after the Scotia was hit, he travels to New York to organize his specimens and await return to Paris. Aronnax tells about the event is unlikely the accidents were caused by a submarine vessel. It is highly unlikely that an individual would have the vast resources to produce such a mechanical wonder. It is also not like a government would create the ship as an instrument of war because the governments following the incident with the Scotia, denied creating any secret submarine. Aronnax says that in the interest of the public and intercontinental communication, the governments have to be believed.

            As the monster theory gained more strength, Aronnax was consulted for his expertise. He previously published a two volume work, called "The Mysteries of the Ocean Deeps."  Aronnax makes a statement about the monster, saying either they do not know what it is because they have not discovered all species of animals, it might be a Great Narwhal. The creature is an overacting of a common narwhal, which is a sea unicorn. While the common narwhal can reach sixty feet, the Great Narwhal is ten times larger or more. Its power is proportional to its size. The horn of a narwhal is ivory and has the hardness of steel. Narwhals frequently attack whales and ships. A Great Narwhal would be explain more dangerous than a common narwhal. The narrator’s article spawns considerable debate. The governments on each side of the Atlantic decide to hunt the monster. The United States deploys its ship name, the Abraham Lincoln. However, the monster halted its destruction. Finally, on July 3 the monster attacks in the Pacific Ocean. Aronnax receives a letter from the secretary to the United States Navy that they would like him to join in the expedition aboard the Abraham Lincoln, set to sail the Pacific Ocean.

CHAPTER 3 : I Form My Resolution

            In this chapter Aronnax tells us that he realized his main purpose in life was to rid the world of the monster. Despite his exhaustion from traveling for very long and longing for home. Aronnax accepted the American government’s invitation. He believes the monster will end up in the waters off the French coast as a special favor to him, and because “all roads lead to Europe.” Aronnax and his domestic team, Conseil, make immediate preparations and board the Abraham Lincoln, where they meet Captain Farragut.

CHAPTER 4 : Ned Land

            In the chapter 4, the narrator describes about Captain Farragut as a good sailor who was unity with the Abraham Lincoln. He is led by his faith that the monster exists. He will find the monster. The ship’s crew keeps close watch for the monster. They are very excited and believe in the existence of the creature. Captain Farragut promises to give away two thousand dollars to the first person to spot the creature. The ship is equipped with every kinds of weapon of destruction. Aronnax says that Canadians are really Frenchmen and that Land is attracted to him because of his nationality. Land’s family is from Quebec, which originally belonged to France.

            Aronnax’s view that the creature is a narwhal. Land says that is his experience as a whaler he has never seen a narwhal puncture a ship. Aronnax tries to persuade Land with statistics and mathematical calculations that an infinitely powerful creature could live the depth of the seas. Land becomes responsive to the possibility that a creature might exist, but he still does not concede that such a creature is responsible for the incidents with the ships. Land appears to need to experience such a creature to believe in it. Aronnax believes that Land is merely stubborn. 

CHAPTER 5 : At a Venture

          Chapter 5 are about Land was impresses the crew and Aronnax when he harpoons two whales at the request of another ship. His bravery makes Aronnax believe that he will be successful in capturing the monster. The sailors remain drawn to the waters, driven by the lure of money. Aronnax says that he is not powered by the chance of winning the two thousand dollars; he watches only out of his own curiousness. Ned Land, conversely, spends most of his time reading and sleeping in his cabin--this behavior outrages Aronnax. Land believes the claims of somethings who have encountered the monster. It is invisible and unbelievably. He tells Aronnax that if they consider the monster’s past habits, it is very likely that he is far away from where there are the sight of the last incident. After three months of seeing no sign of the creature, the crew becomes discouraged and skeptical. They decide to return home. The captain asks for three more days. On the third day, Ned Land spots the creature.

CHAPTER 6 : At Full Steam

            This chapter, in the water there was phosphorescence that had been described by many other people who encountered the creature. The monster continued to give off light. It was much faster than the ship. It swam around and under the ship. The captain, fearsome of risking his ship against an unidentifiable creature, decided not to attack it but to wait for morning. Ned Land told the captain that the creature made the same sounds as whales, yet much louder.

            When the creature appeared again in the daylight, Aronnax was able to observe it more closely. The water shooting from the creature’s blowholes reached about 120 feet high. At Land’s suggestion, the ship continued full steam ahead, hoping to get close enough for Land to harpoon it. Five hundred dollars was offered to the man who could shoot the beast. A three hundred mile chase ensued; the only shot to hit the creature bounced off, as though it was coated in an iron case. The monster disappeared, then later reappeared. Ned Land was able to hit it with a harpoon causing two enormous columns of water to fall over the deck of the ship. The Abraham Lincoln rocked violently.

CHAPTER 7 : An Unknown Species of Whale

          Chapter 7, Aronnax became frightened in the water. He afraid that the ship would leave and having not noticed his fall. The screw and the rudder of the ship were damaged by the monster. Conseil informed Aronnax that the Abraham Lincoln had lost its ability to steer. Aronnax and Conseil removed their clothes, which hindered their swimming, and took turns swimming and pulling the other man in an effort to locate the Abraham Lincoln which they believed it had not noticed their disappearance. In desperation Conseil called out for help, after hours of swimming. The men were greeted with the reply of Ned Land. Ned Land had also been thrown from the ship. He landed upon the creature, which he found was made of steel.

            Land pulled Aronnax and Conseil aboard the creature. The creature, it seemed, was a submarine. Land said that within three hours he was on it, the boat did not move at all. The vessel began to move, slowly at first, then gaining speed. Through the night the men clutched the top of the boat, attempting not to fall off. Ned Land stomped on the top of the boat upon day break. Eight men appeared and pulled Land, Aronnax and Conseil into the vessel. 

CHAPTER 8 : Mobilis in Mobile

            In chapter 8 are about the men found themselves, alone, in a dark space. After half an hour, the cabin was illuminated by the electric white light, previously observed while on the Abraham Lincoln. Two men entered the chamber, dressed in sea-otter-skin and seal skin. They spoke a language that Aronnax could not understand.

            Aronnax, Land and Conseil relayed their tale in French, English, German, and Latin. The men understood nothing they said. They left the three alone again. A steward returned with clothes and food. The food, much to their surprise, was excellent. The plates and utensils were inscribed with the motto: “Mobilis in Mobile N.” Still confused, the three men went to sleep. 

CHAPTER 9 : Ned Land’s Tempers

            Upon waking, Aronnax began to examine his surroundings. He pondered how the air was filtered and replaced to ensure that enough oxygen is present. He discovered an opening over the door of the cell, through which he presumed fresh air entered. As the men discussed their next meal and how long they slept, Aronnax tried to dispel Land’s fear that the men of the vessel were cannibals.

            Land became angered by Conseil’s abiding calm. He wanted Conseil to become as angry as himself and demand to be fed, as they were all hungry again. Land continued in his fit of rage, saying that he thought it was best to try to take over the vessel--much to the dismay of Aronnax and Conseil. Land promised he would do nothing rash immediately. As the time passed and the men grew hungrier, Land grew fiercer. He paced the cell and screamed. When, at last, the steward appeared, Land attacked him and grabbed his throat. Conseil was helping to save the steward from Land and as Aronnax began to help, he was greeted with French, asking them to calm themselves and listen.

CHAPTER 10 : The Man of the Seas

            This chapter is about the man speaking French was the commander of the vessel. He had been one of the men at the first meeting, and was capable of speaking all of the languages they had tried to communicate in. He had not responded because he was interested in listening to them and reflecting on what they said. The commander spoke calmly and with great ease, though Aronnax suspected he was not French. The commander explained how he was a man “broken with humanity,” and was unsure of how to deal with these intruders.  Aronnax tried to explain that the intrusion was unintentional, but the commander pointed out that chasing his vessel, shooting his vessel, and hitting the vessel with a harpoon were each intentional actions. The captain explained to the men that he believed he had the right to treat them as enemies.

            When Aronnax pleaded that the captain was a human not a savage, the captain angrily rebuked him, yelling that he had broken with society and was no longer subject to its rules. The captain decided that the men could stay on board with freedom if they accepted one condition. The men must obey his command to stay in their cabin when requested, so they did not see what the captain wished to keep secret. The freedom offered to Aronnax, Conseil and Land was the same as the other men on the ship: they could walk around as they wished and observe all that happened; they only had to return to their cell on rare occasions. However, they men would never be allowed to return home. Outraged, Land said he would not give his word that he would not try to escape. Aronnax argued that the captain was cruel.

            The captain stated he was being merciful. The captain contended that the three men had attacked him; they had boarded his ship. He was protecting himself by not letting them go--he did not want anyone to know of his existence. The captain promised Dr. Aronnax that he would enjoy his time in the vessel. The captain had Aronnax’s book in his collection, but told him he was bound to earth science. He did not know everything and would soon enter a wonderland. Aronnax was compelled by the captain’s offer and accepted the terms of their stay. Aronnax was displeased when the captain did not offer his hand to seal their agreement. The captain said his name was Captain Nemo, and that he would simply call Land and Conseil passengers of the Nautilus. Land and Conseil were given a meal in their cell and Aronnax was instructed to eat in the dining hall with Captain Nemo. The dining hall was well decorated with oak and ebony. While eating, Captain Nemo exuberantly explained to Aronnax how the sea provided for all of his needs. He was much more jubilant than he had first appeared. 

CHAPTER 11 : All by Electricity

            In chapter 11, Captain Nemo explained the scientific instruments seen throughout the Nautilus. He explained the basic instruments which measured things such as pressure and temperature. However, the most important element to his ship was electricity. All the captain would say about the electricity was that it was not the common sort. The captain extracted sodium from the water to mix with mercury and use as batteries. Furthermore, the ship had the capacity to store air so that it could remain at the depths of the sea for as long as the captain wished. Captain Nemo then showed Aronnax his amazing dinghy, which he could use underwater and form which he could telegraph the Nautilus when he wanted to be picked up. In the kitchen Aronnax learned that that all of the cooking was done by electricity as well. The engine room was brightly lit and Aronnax curiously examined it. He was fraught with the question of how electricity could be so powerful. 

CHAPTER 12 : Some Figures

            In this chapter is in the drawing room, Captain Nemo offers Aronnax a blueprint of the ship that will answer his questions. In this section, Captain Nemo explains the dimensions of the ship. The men continue in a scientific discussion of measurements and elements that affect the travel of the ship. Aronnax discovers that Nemo was an engineer who studied all over the world. He was able to keep the construction of the ship's secret by receiving each of the parts from different places across the globe and ordering them under different names. His workshop was a small desert island.