Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea, Part 2, Chapter 12 summary
Part 2, Chapter 12 of 46 · 11 min to read the chapter
In Chapter 12, the Nautilus continues south as Ned Land struggles with captivity, and Captain Nemo refuses to let him hunt harmless whales. Nemo then attacks their predators with the submarine, causing a slaughter that Ned condemns and sharpening the hostility between the captain and the Canadian.
What happens
- Ned Land and Conseil ask Aronnax to estimate the crew’s size, but the calculation offers little encouragement for three captives.
- Ned spots whales and asks to hunt them, but Nemo refuses because their deaths would serve no practical need.
- Nemo spots approaching cachalots and decides to defend the whales with the Nautilus.
- For an hour, the submarine rams and tears apart cachalots until the survivors scatter.
- Ned condemns the killing, while Nemo insists that the animals deserve destruction.
- Crewmen collect milk from a dead whale, and Aronnax resolves to watch Ned as his hostility grows.
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In this chapter
What to notice
Ned distinguishes his trade from Nemo’s mechanized killing. His objection exposes a moral disagreement that increases their personal hostility.
Quick check
Why does Nemo refuse Ned permission to hunt the southern whales?
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