How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
When I thought that the marvelous electrical agent not only gave movement, heat, and light to the Nautilus, but also protected it into a holy ark which no desecrator could touch without being struck by lightning, my admiration knew no limits; and this went from being direct to the machine back to the engineer who had built it. (1.23.2)
In order to understand how sophisticated the Nautilus is, Aronnax has to put things in supernatural terms. The sub isn't simply advanced, it's holy. Do you think people have a penchant for attributing the mysterious (but perfectly explainable) to the holy or the supernatural?
Quote #5
"Yes, captain, and the Nautilus lent itself marvelously to all this study. Ah, what an intelligent boat it is!"
"Yes, intelligent, audacious, and invulnerable! It fears neither the terrifying storms of the Red Sea, nor its currents, nor even its reefs." (2.4.43-4)
The Nautilus is "intelligent," just like other living creatures. Why do you think Verne blends the boundaries between the natural world and man-made technology in his futuristic novel, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea?
Quote #6
"Who knows if a second Nautilus will appear in the next 100 years! Progress is slow, Dr Aronnax."
"Agreed," I replied; "your ship is a century ahead of its time, or perhaps several. What a shame that such a secret must die with its inventor!"
Captain Nemo did not reply. (2.4.48-50)
Aronnax is just about right. The first nuclear submarines were built about a hundred years after 20,000 Leagues was written. How does this passage position Captain Nemo as a misunderstood genius, rather than a vengeful killer?