Describe The Narrow Escape Of The Nautilus After Having Reached The South Pole. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.

Describe The Narrow Escape Of The Nautilus After Having Reached The South Pole. 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea.

20000 Leagues under the Sea, a novel by Jules Verne, begins in 1866 when something colossal and mysterious is sighted at different oceanic locations. 

What everyone initially believed to be a sea monster was later discovered as an artificial submarine 'Nautilus' spraying huge spouts of water at its frigate.

Part 1 of the novel shows 3 men being taken captive on the Nautilus, invented by Captain Nemo. He orders his crew to get accustomed to being aboard and far from civilization. As means of communication, they even invent their exclusive language. 

The captive members are fed well. Plus, Captain Nemo allows them to move about the ship without entertaining thoughts of abandoning the submarine, even if they don't agree with the circumstances. Nemo clarifies that those who deny the rules will be drowned to death. 

Being clear on the threats, the crew members get comfortable with life onboard the Nautilus, which comprises several books. Moreover, the vessel is electricity powered by sea minerals. 

Captain Nemo invites the crew members to accompany him on a hunting expedition. The captive members spend a few days on land when the submarine moves close to Australia, waiting for high tide to resume movement. During their time on the island, the crew hunt for meat and come across natives who chase them off with hostility due to unfamiliarity. However, when the natives reach Nautilus, they're astonished to see electric cables. 

Afterwards, as the Nautilus moves to the Indian Ocean, Captain Nemo orders Land, Aronnax and Conseil to return to their living areas (after consuming drugged food) to sleep. The following morning, catastrophe strikes, and Captain Nemo summons Aronnax to tend to the wounded crew member. But the efforts are in vain, as it's too late to save the injured one. 

Hence, Part 1 of the novel concludes with the crew members attending the fallen member's burial in an astonishing underwater graveyard. 

Nemo's Invitation to an Unorthodox Expedition

The 2nd part of the novel (taking place after 2 years in Jan 1868) begins with Captain Nemo inviting all the captive members on a pearl discovery expedition close to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). Nemo also shows the crew a giant pearl that he deliberately decides not to harvest. However, during the excursion, things go awry. Captain Nemo is life-threatened by a Shark, but to his fortunes, is saved by Land, who harpoons him aboard. 

When they enter the Red Sea, Captain Nemo discovers the subterranean passageway (the Arabian Channel), taking them to the vast Mediterranean Sea. However, Aronnax, one night witnesses a diver out the submarine's window to whom Captain Nemo was giving away a chest full of gold ingots. Afterwards, the submarine moves through the hot waters resulting from a subaquatic volcano (but it crosses it safely).

The submarine runs speedily and crosses the Straits of Gibraltar, heading into the Virgo Bay. Upon reaching, Captain Nemo repossesses treasure from a 1702 wreckage. They embark on another sublevel expedition to find Atlantis City while being within an extinct volcano. In the meantime, the other crew went to fetch coal to juice up the Nautilus.

After discovering a few whales, Captain Nemo orders Land to refrain from hunting them. Unfortunately, they injure other whales, known as Cachalots and even pose a threat to the other existing whales. 

Narrow Escape After Having Reached the South Pole

The next chapter sees Nautilus moving south to Antarctica. Aronnax is stunned by the splendour of the cold icy world. Unfortunately, the submarine gets trapped by an iceberg. Captain Nemo decides to go under to recover from the situation- even with the risk that he may run out of air.

Fortunately, Nemo's gambit pays off, and they continue their movement till they reach the South Pole. Nemo proves the South Pole is a massive chunk of snow-covered land. He even sticks a flag and begins claiming that the South Pole is his own as he is the first to step foot on it. 

Later, the submarine gets stuck by a giant iceberg, and things quickly turn dreadful. Despite gasping for insufficient air, the crew work conjointly to dig the icy walls using axes. However, soon the hard-working crew reach their limits and starts fainting due to insufficient oxygen.

Suddenly the Nautilus cracks the iceberg, resulting in fresh air reaching the crew members. Despite that, Aronnax life’s in danger due to suffocation.  But Land and Conseil save Aronnax's life by offering him their air portion.

Hence, the Nautilus crew narrowly escaped the near-death experience and lived to tell the late another day. Unfortunately, the death threat loomed over them as Nautilus moved towards the Caribbean. 

Caribbean Catastrophe

The submarine shifts north to the Cape Horn region, accelerating towards the Caribbean region.

But things take a dreadful turn when they come across some gigantic squids. These huge sea monsters attack the submarine and even slay one crew member before they can shove the monsters into the depth of the deep-dark sea.

The Final Hurdle -Nemo & Nautilus Mysteriously Disappears!

Despite surviving the recent life threats, Captain Nemo becomes silent, sullen and absent-minded. The strong-willed man seen at the novel's start has become a shell of his former self after being threatened by the uncontrollable forces of Nature and its colossal creatures. 

The novel continues with Nautilus moving up the northward region. However, the weather quickly turns ugly for Land, Aronnax, Conseil, and other surviving crew members (including Captain Nemo). The three main characters decide to abandon the Nautilus with life hanging in the balance.

But a strong hurricane pushes the submarine way out into the sea. Surprisingly, the crew discovered the lost transatlantic telegraph cable. Nemo explains the story of a wrecked ship called the Avenger that sank 74 years ago.

During this moment, Nemo and his crew discover a battleship shooting at them. Of course, Captain Nemo wasn't one to go down without a fight. He yells his intentions to counterstrike and exact revenge.

With unrelenting perseverance and courage, Nautilus floats firm and rams the battleship and its crew to sink. Thus, the action-packed scene ends with Captain Nemo shedding tears in front of his wife and kid' portray.

After a couple of weeks, Captain is nowhere to be seen. Even Aronnax is clueless. Nevertheless, one night, the captive members decide to leave the vessel close to the Norway coast.

But just as they were about to make their move, they witnessed a frightening maelstrom (whirlwind storm) enveloping the surrounding area and the Nautilus completely. The severe turbulence causes Aronnax's head to bash against the hull and become unconscious. 

Upon regaining consciousness, Aronnax wakes on an island with Land and Conseil. None of them remembers what happened to Nautilus and Captain Nemo.

Conclusion

In 20000 Leagues under the Sea, the narrow escape at the South Pole depicts Land and Conseil's strength of character and courage to fight against the elements and save Aronnax's life is a testament to their humanity and friendship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.1.Who is the Villain of 20000 Leagues under the Sea?

The villain of 20000 Leagues under the Sea is Captain Nemo.

Q.2.What Is Captain Nemo's Fate at The End Of 20000 Leagues Under the Sea?

Captain Nemo gets severely wounded due to the whirlwind storm and dies as the Nautilus sinks to the bottom of the deep end. 

 Q.3.What Calamity Befell on Nautilus's Crew Members in The Caribbean Region?

The Nautilus crew experienced an attack from giant Squids when they reached the Caribbean region. 

Q.4.When was the novel 20000 Leagues under the Sea first published?

20000 Leagues under the Sea was first published in June 1870 by author Jules Verne.