4
-NiE ,
12 JULY 2017
INTERMEDIATE Graphic novel
A bittersweet
JULES VERNE is the author of this story that is set in 1866. When an “enormous, unidentified thing” in the ocean becomes a threat to sailing ships, the United States government invites Professor Pierre Aronnax, an expert on undersea life, to investigate the source and help deal with the mysterious sea monster. Professor Aronnax agrees and together with his manservant Conseil and Ned Land, who is also known as the “prince of harpooners”, they join an expedition aboard the warship named the Abraham Lincoln. Professor Aronnax believes that this giant creature could be a narwhal – a whale that could grow to a length of sixty feet. Unfortunately, their ship crashes into a large object and they are hurled overboard. They are then rescued by Nemo, captain of the Nautilus. They soon discover that it is this very submarine that has been mistaken for the sea
monster. They are well treated by Captain Nemo, although they are told that they should never attempt to leave the submarine. During their time on the Nautilus, they have many exciting experiences. They fish for giant pearls and view fantastic sights like the magnificent coral kingdoms, the underwater forest of Crespo Island and the submerged lost city of Atlantis. In time, they learn about Captain Nemo’s need for secrecy and his desire to be completely cut off from the world. When Captain Nemo attacks and sinks a warship, they decide that they must escape at all costs. Do Professor Aronnax, Ned and Conseil succeed in their attempt to escape from the Nautilus? Read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea to find out.
NiE Activity 2
NiE Activity 1 Critical thinking ● Identify ● Reason
Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Connect
Communicating
Collaborating
● Oral ● Written
● Contribute respectfully ● Compromise
Problem solving
● Question ● Present
When Professor Aronnax decides to join the expedition in search of the mysterious sea monster, two other men accompany him. They are Ned Land, a skilful Canadian harpooner who is also known as the “prince of harpooners”, and Conseil, his loyal manservant who is also a skilled oarsman. If you were in Professor Aronnax’s position, who would you choose on this mission and why? In groups of four, choose three people (in the form of pictures or names) from The Star whom you would take along on the journey. Cut the pictures or words out and paste them on a sheet of A4 paper. Write down three reasons for your choices (based on information from The Star). Then, create one more reason of your own. When you have finished, present your work in class.
EXAMPLE
Expedition companion from The Star
Reasons ● ● ● ●
Critical thinking ● Identify ● Organise
Creative thinking ● Imagine ● Connect
Communicating
Collaborating
● Oral ● Written
● Listen ● Contribute respectfully
Problem solving
● Question ● Recreate
Contrast is sometimes used in literature when opposing values are juxtaposed or placed next to each other. In this novel, we see Captain Nemo alternating between feelings of hate and love at different points of the story. He feels the heartbreak of losing his family, which turns into feelings of bitter revenge and a quest for vengeance. There is, however, a great deal of compassion in his heart. This is evident in his care for a man on board who is ill. He is grieved when the man dies and prepares a beautiful burial. He donates gold to people of Crete and hands a bag of pearls to an East Indian diver who has been attacked by a shark. Read the following extract. Captain Nemo had planned to ram the warship from below, where it was not protected. Suddenly, I felt a blow. The Nautilus had struck the hull of the warship. I was frozen with horror when I saw the warship sinking before my eyes. I rushed to Captain Nemo’s room. Through the open door, I saw the Captain crying over a portrait of a woman and two small children. In groups of four, use words, phrases and pictures from The Star to show two contrasting sides of Captain Nemo. Cut them out and paste them on separate columns on a sheet of A4 paper. When you have finished, write a short message of advice to Captain Nemo. Display your work on the classroom walls and do a gallery walk.
EXAMPLE
Positive side
Kind
Loving
NiE Activity 3 Critical thinking
Creative thinking
● Identify ● Reason
● Imagine ● Connect
Problem solving
Communicating
● Question ● Present
Collaborating ● Contribute respectfully
● Compromise
● Non-verbal ● Written
Imagine that, like Professor Aronnax, you were imprisoned in a place that was quite comfortable: enough entertainment, food and shelter. However, you were not permitted to leave. Would you be contented to stay there all your life or would you want your personal freedom? In groups of four, compose an e-mail to a close friend or family member, expressing your thoughts on the subject. Use at least 10 words from The Star. When you have finished, exchange e-mail messages with another group. You will now have to create a reply to the message from the other group before sending it back to them.
Negative side
Violent
Impulsive