Getting to Know Jules Verne: How to Analyze His Novels
Peter Lerangis is a hardcore fan of Jules Verne.
After Lerangis publish a five-book series about teenagers who were descendants of the Atlanteans, the inhabitants of a continent that Plato would describe in "The Republic", the native of Brooklyn, New York pens a story about Max Tilt, who is related to Verne. Max, a thirteen-year-old, would prefer facts over the exciting of the senses, though. In other words, the teenage boy is not a huge fan of the French author’s adventures. The travel bug could bite anytime, unexpectedly.
Max Tilt, along with his cousin, Alex Verne, embark on a death-defying journey that should parallel Verne's narratives. Lerangis's three-book series would appeal to young readers who happen to be adventure seekers. ("Max Tilt: Enter the Core", the third and final book in the series, is scheduled for publication on February 19, 2019.) This series could serve as an intriguing introduction to any essay on Verne's book, as Lerangis would suggest that there’s a factual basis of Verne’s novels. After all, the fantastic voyage of the Nautilus seems too good to be true. It should lead to the next (important) question: Why study Jules Verne?
Verne may not be included in the list of courses that must be studied during the first year, yet it doesn't mean that his works would be less significant than the writings of the celebrated authors of Modernist literature. An analysis of the Frenchman's contribution to literature should be an intriguing subject matter, and backpacking has nothing to do with it.
Suggested Essay Topics (For Your Consideration)
Was Jules Verne vocal about his political beliefs? Captain Nemo was an Indian nobleman who fought against British imperialism, but readers wouldn't know it until they read "Mysterious Island" (or they would know British history during the 19th century). Verne's description of the sea, or what would lie in the bottom of the sea, should capture anyone's imagination. And it didn't matter if National Geographic would refute all the details that turned "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" into a classic. Lerangis imagined an underwater community, enclosed in a huge bubble, who may be more knowledgeable about science and technology than the Atlanteans. This should lead to a very intriguing question: Is technology a double-edged sword? It should be one of several interesting themes that "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" would impart to readers, but you could think of another one. It must be better, though.
Did it matter if Professor Lidenbrock and Axel didn't reach the center of the Earth? The answer would be in the negative after learning about the Earth's four different layers, and how the core could be likened to a solid ball with the same temperature as the Sun. Some readers might be thinking of sexual references after Verne, a native of Nantes, made numerous mentions of openings and stalactites and stalagmites, but this course might veer from what Verne intended in this very descriptive book. The interior was alive, which could raise trepidation. (Edward Bulwer-Lytton's "The Coming Race" could be included in the discussion here.) It didn't answer the question. Yet. It's not about a cure for boredom, a result of years of lectures at the university (and probably a number of students who are attentive to it.) The clue would be Verne's choice of Axel as the voice of narration. Read between the lines again.
What message did "Around the World in 80 Days" conveyed? Lerangis wrote an alternative story to this adventure novel, of how the Crab the Cancer could have ended Verne’s exciting life. This alternative described how Max and Alex explored a cave in the Peloponnese, looked for prehistoric artifact near the Ural Mountains, ran with the yaks in Nepal, studied endangered plant species in the Sierra Mountains (in Mexico), and scooped a bottle of hot water near an active volcano in Antarctica, all of which have the ingredients that should beat the Big C. It doesn't matter if you prefer Phileas Fogg's adventure or Max Tilt's, as both narratives illustrate the contrasting effects of time. No one, not even Verne (or Lerangis) could control it, as it carries everyone along as it pleases. If you find it hard to believe, then take a look at Aouda (or Nigel). How they influence the course of events should help you answer the question.
A Short Note on Verne’s Other Works
Verne’s other novels may not be as popular as the three that were discussed in the previous section, but it doesn’t make them good enough (for an essay assignment). It should be noted that Verne may not have enough adventures, which was pretty obvious. Any comparison to digital nomads should be banished right away. (A discussion on addiction doesn’t guarantee several pages.) It wouldn’t be a redundant exercise to write about “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea”, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” or "Around the World in 80 Days" one more time, as there are many themes that are overlooked by previous students. Yet. Lerangis would prove it, but don’t let Max’s obsession with facts distract you.
