Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea: Part 1, Chapter 14 Summary & Analysis

Nemo announces that it is 11:45 a.m., and they will now travel up to the surface of the ocean. Once up there, Arronax climbs onto a platform and looks out over the horizon, before going back down into the saloon. Nemo invites Arronax to immerse himself in his scholarly work, saying he will leave him at peace. Finally alone, Arronax reflects on the extraordinary situation in which he has found himself. Just like on land, the sea has “rivers”; the river along which the Nautilus travels crosses the Pacific Ocean and is called the Black River.

Arronax meets with Conseil and Ned inside the ship’s museum. Ned is confused, and Arronax slowly provides information about the vessel, suggesting that they be “patient” and remain optimistic. Suddenly, everything goes dark. Then beams of light appear, illuminating the sea outside. The men gaze out of the vessel’s windows at the “unexplored abyss” around them. They are all entranced by the strange creatures swimming around; working together, they give them names and categories. At five p.m., Ned and Conseil go to their cabin, and Arronax goes to his. He eats a luxurious dinner, and spends the evening “happily, reading, writing, and dreaming.”