20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Study Questions

1. Why do you suppose Professor Aronnax agrees to join Commander Farragut? Does he have the adventure he intended? What is the biggest adventure you’ve ever had?

2. The narwhale is finally spotted by Ned Land, the only person who doesn’t believe that it actually exists. Were you surprised that Ned found the narwhale? Who did you expect would find it? Have you ever found something only after you stopped looking for it?

3. When Aronnax, Conseil, and Ned are captured, they all have very different reactions. Aronnax tries to find a logical solution, Conseil waits calmly, and Ned gets angry. How do you think you would react in a similar situation?

4. How do you suppose Captain Nemo managed to build his ship without anyone knowing about it? What is the biggest secret you have ever kept?

5. When Aronnax tries to distract himself by selecting a book from Nemo’s library, he finds that he has chosen his own book. Do you think Nemo knew who Aronnax was before he came on board the Nautilus? Has anything so coincidental ever happened to you?

6. Why do you think Nemo takes such pleasure in sharing his world with Professor Aronnax? Is there someone in your life that you like to share everything with?

7. How does Professor Aronnax react when Captain Nemo asks if he is afraid of sharks? Are you afraid of sharks? What is the scariest animal you have ever encountered?

8. Why does Ned decide not to go on the hunt to the Island of Crespo? Do you think he regretted his decision? Have you ever made a decision you later regretted?

9. Nemo says that the sea makes him feel safe from all the harms in the world. Why do you suppose he feels this way? Would you feel that safe underwater?

10. Why do you suppose Captain Nemo gave the bag of pearls to the Indian fisherman? Were you surprised at his generosity? What is the most generous thing you have ever done?

11. How do you suppose Aronnax feels when he sees Atlantis? Do you think Atlantis actually exists? What do you think it would look like if it did?

12. When Ned is finally ready to leave the Nautilus, he makes Professor Aronnax promise to help him. Why do you suppose Aronnax agreed? Have you ever made a promise that you really didn’t want to make?

13. Aronnax says that he couldn’t decide between his freedom and his studies onboard the Nautilus. What would you have done in his position?

14. How do you think Captain Nemo changed as a result of living underwater for such a long time? What kind of man do you think he was before creating the Nautilus?

15. Do you think Nemo is a hero or a villain? Have you ever known anyone like Captain Nemo?

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