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The Arabian Tunnel

Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne · Episode 4 of 7

This episode is the fourth of seven from Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea by Jules Verne, first published in 1869–70. The text reflects its era; a few period terms have been modernised. Verne's novel belongs to the genre of scientific romance, blending speculative technology with maritime adventure and moral inquiry. Captain Nemo's character deepens here: his charity toward the oppressed is confirmed by the gold delivered to Nicholas Pesca, yet his appropriation of the Vigo treasure and his secrecy about his volcanic refuge reveal the contradictions in his exile from humanity. The episode's central questions—can one reject civilization yet remain human? does superior knowledge confer the right to act unilaterally?—make it worth the reader's time as both adventure and ethical argument. The Arabian Tunnel and the volcanic coal mine are fictitious, though Verne's geological and oceanographic details draw on the science of his day. Atlantis is presented here as Verne imagined it, not as established history.

Band

Silver · First-year university levelTypical starting range: adult

Length

long · about 1557 words in 5 sections · 1 picture

Source

Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea, Jules Verne

First published

see the About page in the reader

Regions

Canada · United States

Included formats

• · Web reader and PDF
• · EPUB for e-readers
• · Home-print sheet
• · Folded booklet
• · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
• · Worksheet
• · Quick Check (10 questions) with answer key
• · Read-aloud script
• · Teacher’s Edition (members)

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