Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Literature Focus: 20, 000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

Literature Focus
Title: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
Author: Jules Verne
Reading Dates: Sept 21 - Oct 12
More than a marvelously thrilling drama, this classic novel, written in 1870, foretells with uncanny accuracy the inventions and advanced technology of the twentieth century and has become a literary stepping-stone for generations of science fiction writers.            - Everyman Library
"Unbearably thrilling and romantic... full of Verne's gentle humour."
—Daily Mail

Context:
Published in 1870, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea became one of Jules Verne's best known works. He artfully explored the issues of science and politics within its pages, inviting the reader to understand the cultural heartbeat of his day. Originally it was released as two volumes & was written and published in French. It wasn't translated into English until several years later. Labeled as one of the father's of science fiction, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea clearly validates that statement & verifies that Jules Verne was a gifted author. 

His peers included famous authors Alexandre Dumas & Victor Hugo. 


What it's about:
20,000 Leagues Under the Seas is about the adventures of Captain Nemo and his crew aboard the submarine, Nautilus. One day ships start sinking, particularly ones dealing with war. Survivors think it is a big whale. A harpoon ship goes out to kill it, but finds out that the whale is actually the Nautilus.- FP Walter

"The sea does not belong to despots. Upon its surface men can still exercise unjust laws, fight, tear one another to pieces, and be carried away with terrestrial horrors. But at thirty feet below its level, their reign ceases, their influence is quenched, and their power disappears." -The Captain Nemo Manifesto (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea)


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