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Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea / Technological Tension

Author: Jules Verne (Gutenberg)  | Source: Project Gutenberg  | Published: 2026-02-26 14:48

Themes: innovation, anxiety, conflict, exploration, morality

According to my idea, the _Nautilus_ would attack the ship at her waterline, and then it would not only be possible, but easy to fly. At three in the morning, full of uneasiness, I mounted the platform. He was standing at the fore part near his flag, which a slight breeze displayed above his head.
Interpretation

The snippet reflects the intersection of technological ambition and the human experience of anxiety, a prevalent theme in the works of Jules Verne. The emphasis on the _Nautilus_' strategic design highlights a forward-looking vision of undersea warfare, emblematic of the late 19th-century fascination with marine exploration and invention. Verne’s narrative technique not only propels the plot but also foreshadows the moral ambiguities related to progress and conflict inherent in technological advancements. This moment captures the tension between innovation and its potential consequences, making it a critical commentary on the era's relationship with science and ethics. (AI-generated commentary)

Microstory

As the cold dawn seeped into the horizon, the captain stood resolutely at the helm of the _Nautilus_, the salty spray mingling with the tang of fear in the air. His mind raced, envisioning the moment they would strike—an unseen predator lurking beneath the waves, ready to unleash its might upon the unsuspecting vessel above. The flag fluttered above him, a symbol of both triumph and trepidation, as the weight of responsibility pressed upon his chest, urging him to master the depths of both technology and fate. (AI-generated story)

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