Intellect, Precision, Courtesy; The Makings of a Leader The ocean swells around you like a dust devil in a sandbox. Salt water fills your nostrils. The ship that deemed this fate upon you sails into the distance. You wonder, how am I going to get out of this one? Suddenly, a large metal object plants itself beneath your feet. A porthole opens and men carry you inside the belly of the large iron beast floating nether you. What’s going to happen now? In Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, this is exactly what main characters M.
Aronmax, his servant Conseil, and Ned Land the harpooner, were thinking. After a hefty six-hour wait of being locked in a dark cell, the door opens. A man who introduces himself as Captain Nemo, an obvious leader and a man of stature, claims to have built the submersible in order to travel the world without ever having to step back on the land which he so greatly rejects. Reflection on the qualities of leadership reveals how Captain Nemo’s character enabled him to do exactly this.
It is soon apparent that Captain Nemo a man of keen intellect. His knowledge of the sea, the many languages he speaks, and the education he has given his men all contribute the success of his ship’s goal, to explore. Examples of his intelligence are rampant throughout the novel. In a burial at sea the captain decided to envelop the body, not only in a coral reef, but also in byssus to seal it for eternity and protect it from sharks. The uncommon understanding of the effects of byssus, or other plant life, demonstrates his depth of research.
The Essay on Captain Nemo Monster Ship Ned
... city of Atlantis. Captain Nemo took them to the South Pole, where no man had ever been before. That made Captain Nemo the first person ... to build a frigate to chase down and kill the sea monster. The letter also said that they would be more ... completed their underwater exploration covering 20, 000 leagues under the sea. Later on, a maelstrom hit the Nautilus. The prisoners had ...
Using one’s intellect to benefit practical concerns instills admiration and confidence in those serving you. His many years of study also contributed to a broad knowledge of languages: ‘ ‘Gentlemen’,’ ; said he, in a calm and penetrating voice, ‘I speak French, English, German, and Latin equally well’ ‘; . Knowing many languages is essential to becoming a great sea captain for you never know when or where you might travel. Nemo also has the ability to apply his knowledge into educating his men. It was his genius mind that taught them where to gather, and piece together, the components that would later become the Nautilus. All in all, Captain Nemo is one extraordinarily brilliant man.
After meeting the captain it becomes painfully clear how carefully he pays close attention to details and how his memory permits him to store precise facts in his head. ‘M. Aronmax, an iron vessel costs lb 45 per ton. Now the Nautilus weighed 1, 500. It came therefore to lb 67, 500 and lb 80, 000 more for fitting it up, and about lb 200, 000 with the works of art and the collections it contains.’ ; An intimate knowledge of all details surrounding your business is essential for success. Understanding such details of your ‘business’; allows you to command every aspect of it.
There are more details about the Nautilus and Captain Nemo than just the figures though. He also has a very precise rules and routines that are to be followed by the crew each and every day. For instance, when the crew was under water, Captain Nemo commanded his men by use of hand gestures, each with its own significance. Every morning the second officer on board would call out longitude and latitude numbers to set the course heading for the day. This was part of his daily routine. Creating a decisive plan for routines on board is requisite for work to be carried out smoothly.
Captain Nemo is described as having: ‘… a clearly cut mouth, beautiful teeth, with fine tapered hands, indicative of a highly nervous temperament.’ ; When one presents himself in this fashion, it shows how attentive to details one is and how highly confident of yourself you are. As a leader, dressing as a man of stature sets a standard for others to follow. After being speaking to the captain, Professor Aronmax becomes alerted to the amount of courtesy shown towards him. Immediately any fear or doubt in his head was cleared simply by the way he was addressed.
The Essay on 20 000 Leagues Captain Nemo
By: Nita Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea Some time ago, I decided to read Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea, by Jules Verne. I figured that because it was so well known it must be an extremely interesting book. In addition, it was science fiction, the one area that I was always interested. My assumption was only partially correct, for I only was to a degree interested in the piece of ...
It definitely wasn’t expected considering he was aboard the Abraham Lincoln which had just attacked Nemo’s vessel. The captain’s speaking skills had dispelled any hostile attitudes his three guests might have had towards him. After being on board for a few minutes, Nemo escorted the professor to his own personal stateroom. Nemo understood how important it was to establish a friendly relationship with his guests for he might be spending an awfully long time with them.
It is important to be as cordial as possible with someone when you are going to be with them for an extended period. This can be especially important when dealing with those in an inferior position to oneself. With his respectful attitude, the captain is able to put his ‘guests’; at ease. ‘The island of Ceylon, noted for it’s pearl-fisheries. Would you like to visit one of them M. Aronmax?’ ; Offering options to those with little control over their lives bestows them with a sense of power, however false it may be.
A courteous attitude goes a long way to establish positive long-term relationships among those who may be spending extended periods of time together. Many qualities are in force to make a great leader. Captain Nemo has all of these. His well developed mind allowed him to not only deal with the technological details of the submersible, but also to deal with those around him in an advantageous way.
The smooth running of any business is enhanced by attention to the smallest details. Nemo had a great capacity for the minutia of both his life and his work. A successful business depends on the respect a leader gains from his workers. When the captain showed respect he received respect in return. The three prisoners could consider themselves fortunate to be in the hands of such a leader.
