Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea
Jules Verne
Contains spoilers for the entire book.
Discussion topics
Topic 01 of 08
The monster
What did you make of the opening hunt for a 'monster' that turns out to be a submarine?
Keep the conversation going
- How does Verne build suspense?
- How did you imagine the Nautilus?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.
Discussion topics
What did you make of the opening hunt for a 'monster' that turns out to be a submarine?
Keep the conversation going
- How does Verne build suspense?
- How did you imagine the Nautilus?
Who is Captain Nemo, and why has he turned his back on the world?
Keep the conversation going
- What do we learn of his past, and what stays hidden?
- Is he a hero, a villain, or neither?
Are Professor Aronnax, Conseil and Ned Land guests or prisoners?
Keep the conversation going
- How do the three of them respond differently to life on the Nautilus?
- Who did you side with?
Which of the undersea journeys amazed you most, from the forests of Crespo to Atlantis?
Keep the conversation going
- What does Verne's love of science add to the story?
- Did the long lists of species interest you or slow you down?
Why is Ned Land so determined to escape?
Keep the conversation going
- What does he miss that the others don't?
- Is freedom worth more than wonder?
What did you make of Nemo's attack on the warship?
Keep the conversation going
- Does it change how you see him?
- What does his grief afterwards suggest?
Which danger on the voyage gripped you most, from being trapped under the Antarctic ice to the giant squid?
Keep the conversation going
- How do the crew face death?
- What do these scenes show about Nemo?
How did you feel about the escape in the Maelstrom, and Nemo's fate left uncertain?
Keep the conversation going
- Why do you think Verne leaves Nemo's end unknown?
- What does Aronnax hope for him?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.