20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Identity Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #10

Captain Nemo went back to his room, and I did not see him for some time. But how clearly sad, desperate, and irresolute he was, if I can judge the state of his soul from our ship, which reflected all his moods! The Nautilus no longer maintained a fixed course. It came, it went, it drifted like a plaything of the waves […] The Nautilus was sailing at random, unable to tear itself away from the scene of its great battle, the sea which had swallowed up one of its members. (2.19.4)

In Nemo's absence, the Nautilus takes on his characteristics. It's an extension of his body, affected by his mood. In this way, our everyman, Nemo, becomes larger than life. When you've got no defined backstory, you can come to stand for anyone… or anything.