The title refers to the distance travelled while under the sea and not to a depth, as 20,000 leagues is over six times the diameter of Earth. The greatest depth mentioned in the book is four leagues. A literal translation of the French title would end in the plural "seas", thus implying the "seven seas" through which the characters of the novel travel; however, the early English translations of the title used "sea", meaning the ocean in general.
Part 1 Chapter 17 “An Underwater Forest”
Approximately and hour and a half after having entered the water, the men reached the forest that Captain Nemo considered his own. The forest was comprised of huge plantlike trees that Aronnax had never seen before. Aronnax was amazed at how everything stood perfectly straight. All that Aronnax missed was conversation. He was surprised not to be hungry after their four hour excursion; he was only very tired.
The men encountered a monstrous sea spider, which Nemo’s companion killed. The monster made Aronnax weary of what else he might meet. The men continued to venture into the forest, when it got too dark they simply switched on their lights. When they reached land, Captain Nemo stopped them suddenly. He refused to go any farther. On the way back Nemo killed a sea otter; an animal that would have sold for a good price on land. It had become very rare. The companion later killed a large bird, an albatross.
Suddenly, Nemo and his companion pushed Aronnax and Conseil down into a brush of seaweed, and laid down with them. A couple of sharks swam dangerously close to the men. Fortunately, the sharks could not see well and they were safe.
Part 2 Chapter 8 ”Vigo Bay”
Upon reaching the Atlantic, Land decided to execute their plan of escape. He came to Aronnax and told him they would have to leave that night at 9pm., while they were only a few miles off the Spanish coast. Land made the preparations.
For the rest of the day Aronnax was overcome with emotion. He did not want to leave his underwater studies unfinished, especially not the Atlantic, which he considered his ocean. However, he knew he must go. He wandered around the museum that he loved so dearly. Aronnax found Captain Nemo’s austere room empty and went in. He observed pictures on the wall of great men devoted to humanity, such as Washington and Lincoln. Aronnax wondered what Nemo might have in common with these men.
At 9 p.m. Aronnax waited in the library for Land’s signal, as planned. However, he noticed a sudden slowing of the ship, and felt it sit at the ocean’s bottom. The Nemo entered the library. Nemo asked Aronnax if he knew his Spanish history. When Aronnax responded that he was not that familiar with it, Nemo relayed a story that ended with a ship wreck in the Vigo Bay, the bay in which they were sitting. When Aronnax looked out into the water he saw divers collecting the wealth that was left by the wreck. Nemo told Aronnax that it was this shipwreck and the many others in the seas that made him a multi millionaire. Aronnax remarked that these riches could be better used if they were properly distributed. This statement incensed Nemo who said why Aronnax would think that he kept them for himself. Aronnax realized then that Nemo was still human, and that he was using his riches to help some poor and oppressed people.
Part 3 Chapter 2 “Aqua City”
Nautilus has been captured by a marine facility!!!
Just before it was sent into the dark depths, it captured an image of a nearby symbol and telegraphed to Captain Nemo...
Unfortunately, the image got scrambled into a ... Jigsaw Puzzle!!!
Will Captain Nemo be able to save his precious submarine?