20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Justice Quotes

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

Quote #7

"That is a going a little far, but I do believe we wouldn't have been able to stop our friend [Ned] from harpooning a few of those magnificent cetaceans. And that would have upset Captain Nemo, for he never spills the blood of innocent creatures without good reason." (2.14.34)

"Never say never," are we right? Aronnax may have to revise this statement after watching Nemo's "massacre" of the unidentified warship. Apparently, even experts are wrong… a lot.

Quote #8

"I am the law, I am the justice!" he said. "I am the oppressed, and they are the oppressor! It is because of them that everything I loved, cherished, venerated—country, wife, children, parents—perished as I watched! Everything I hate is there! Keep quiet!" (2.21.59)

Nemo is right to feel wronged by the men who destroyed his family and country, but it's hard for us to say whether his crusade against the "oppressors" is justified. By declaring himself the law, he becomes his own judge and jury.