Captain "Emo" (Blog 1)

I started reading 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne:

A quick overview:
The main character, Professor Aronnax (scientist interested in animals) along with his trusty assistant Conseil (who is quite the funny fellow) and Ned Land (a whale harpooner) are searching for a "unicorn fish" which has caused havoc to the ships of many different nations. Meanwhile, they are thrown overboard and are rescued by the antagonist Captain Nemo (my favorite character :)) who commands the submarine (the true identity of the trouble-making "unicorn fish") the Nautilus.

Interesting Quote:

"The letter 'N' [written on all the silverware] was no doubt the initial of the name of the enigmatical person who commanded at the bottom of the seas." (pg. 46) 

Without knowing that the ship captain's name is Nemo (which at this point in the book is unknown to the reader), it is easy to assume that the "person who commanded at the bottom of the seas" would be Neptune, the Roman god of the seas. Maybe Verne was trying to hint at the power and control Captain Nemo has is equivalent to that of the sea god...?

Why I love Captain Nemo:

- Jules Verne's words of the captain's fascination with the sea is so beautiful, breathtaking, and powerful, it is extremely unforgettable (the best parts are in pink):
 
"You like the sea, Captain?"
"Yes; I love it! The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides. The sea is only the embodiment of a supernatural and wonderful existence. It is nothing but love and emotion; it is the 'Living Infinite,' as one of your poets has said. In fact, Professor, Nature manifests herself in it by her three kingdoms--mineral, vegetable, and animal. The sea is the vast reservoir of Nature. The globe began with sea, so to speak; and who knows if it will not end with it? In it is supreme tranquillity. The sea does not belong to despots. Upon its surface men can still exercise unjust laws, fight, tear one another to pieces, and be carried away with terrestrial horrors. But at thirty feet below its level, their reign ceases, their influence is quenched, and their power disappears. Ah! sir, live--live in the bosom of the waters! There only is independence! There I recognize no masters! There I am free!" (pg. 56-57)

- The Captain: 
1. He is just and fair ("You are my prisoners of war. I keep you, when I could, by a word, plunge you into the depths of the ocean." pg. 53)
 
2. He is intelligent about the physics of ocean travel ("When I made the plans for this submarine vessel, I meant that nine-tenths should be submerged: consequently it ought only to displace nine-tenths of its bulk, that is to say, only to weigh that number of tons." pg. 67)

3. He is smart and cunning in dealing with people ("Gentlemen... I speak French, English, German, and Latin equally well. I could, therefore, have answered you at our first interview, but I wished to know you first, then to reflect." pg. 50)

4. He is mysterious ("It is possible that certain events, unforseen, may oblige me to consign you to your cabins for some hours of some days, as the case may be." pg. 52)

5. I like his spitting tone when he talks about humanity ("Professor... I am not what you call a civilized man! I have done with society entirely, for reasons which I alone have the right of appreciating. I do not, therefore, obey its laws, and I desire you to never to allude to them before me again!" pg. 51)

Personal Connection:

I was so inspired by Captain Nemo that when I went lasertagging, and we had to choose code names to play the games, I chose to play under the name "Captain Nemo". Unfortunately for me, the people heard wrong, and consequently my name became "Captain Emo", much to my despise.