The Mysterious Island
Jules Verne
Contains spoilers for the entire book.
Discussion topics
Topic 01 of 08
The balloon
How did you feel about the escape by balloon from Richmond during the Civil War?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of the castaways' first days on the island?
- What does each of the five bring?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.
Discussion topics
How did you feel about the escape by balloon from Richmond during the Civil War?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of the castaways' first days on the island?
- What does each of the five bring?
What makes Cyrus Harding such a strong leader?
Keep the conversation going
- How does his knowledge change their fate?
- Is he too perfect?
Which of the castaways' achievements, from fire to a telegraph, impressed you most?
Keep the conversation going
- What does the book say about science and work?
- What would you have wanted to build first?
What does the friendship between the sailor Pencroft and young Herbert add?
Keep the conversation going
- How did you feel when Herbert was wounded?
- What do Neb and Gideon Spilett add?
How does Ayrton's story affect you, from his savage state to his return to humanity?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of his past crimes?
- Can a person be redeemed?
Which of the mysterious helps on the island did you notice, and what did you guess?
Keep the conversation going
- When did you suspect who was behind them?
- How did you feel when you found out?
How did you feel about Nemo's last days and his story?
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- How does this Nemo compare with the one in Twenty Thousand Leagues?
- Is his end fitting?
How did you feel about the destruction of Lincoln Island and the castaways' rescue?
Keep the conversation going
- What did they lose, and what did they carry with them?
- What did you make of their new settlement in America?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.