Theme of Respect for God in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (Essay Example)

Step inside an amazing submarine and explore an underwater world in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne. While men have traveled and explored the oceans for centuries, no one can imagine a world in the nineteenth century such as the one Captain Nemo creates in his underwater vessel, the Nautilus. Professor Aronnax, guest on the Nautilus for 10 months, recounts the magnificent beauty of the oceans and the comforts of daily life on the submarine as he tries to understand the complex character of Captain Nemo. The professor’s observations reveal the following: Captain Nemo shows respect for God as the Creator. However, he seeks revenge against humanity, because he does not trust in God’s Providence-that He can bring good out of evil men if we trust Him.

Captain Nemo shows respect for God as the creator. He thanked God for the food he caught during the hunt that happened shortly after the professor arrived. Captain Nemo says that God gives the sea all it needs to help him live. He has a collection of art and music, the artists of which are notably Christian. Captain Nemo clearly shows respect to God for being the creator of the sea he adores.

Captain Nemo seeks revenge against humanity. A very large part of the reason Captain Nemo’s Nautilus was discovered was that he was attacking ships for no discernable reason other than his hatred. Near the end of the book, we see him brutally destroy a ship with several people on it. Captain Nemo beforehand was told by Professor Aronnax that they didn’t know the ships intention or it’s nation so they shouldn’t attack but Captain Nemo said that it didn’t matter and that they were threatening his freedom either way. Captain Nemo was implied to be very unfriendly to humans from the surface, this is especially shown in his various sprees of destruction of ships and his harsh treatment of Professor Aronnax and his friends when they first managed to get on board the Nautilus. Captain Nemo clearly has a deep malice towards society and wants to take his revenge by any means possible.

Captain Nemo does not trust in God’s Providence.Captain Nemo did not trust that God would use his Providence to help humanity become better, instead he felt the need to attempt to do it himself. He very clearly showed that he didn’t care for the people on the ships he has sunk as he sees them all as oppressors. He believes that Earth needs new men for society to be better. Captain Nemo clearly thinks of all surface humans from powerful countries as scum with few exceptions. Captain Nemo is clearly untrusting that God can help man improve and instead resorts to extreme and occasionally violent ways despite saying he doesn’t like using violence.

It is clear in Captain Nemo’s quest for revenge that, although he has great respect for God the Creator, this respect does not engender God’s Providence. Captain Nemo did not trust God to redeem man thus he decided he needed to do it himself. He was mistrustful of man and their society and that lead to Captain Nemo’s unhealthy hatred for society. Captain Nemo respected God but he never came to realize his divine Providence. Captain Nemo was a man who loved God for his glorious creation but, in his mistrustfulness of his Providence, he became consumed by his anger and hatred thus leaving him on a quest for revenge.