Captain Nemo

**Captain Nemo** is the deuteragonist of Jules Verne’s novel *Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea* and the 1954 live-action Disney film adaptation. He is the mysterious captain of the Nautilus.

## Background

### Disney

#### 1968 Film

Captain Nemo built and became captain of the Nautilus, a Victorian-era submarine (constructed in a time when there were no submarines). Nemo did this to reject society and take up living off of the sea. Nemo's name (which is more than likely assumed), is latin for, "*Nobody*" as an allusion to this lifestyle.

He attacked ships out of a hatred for imperialism, as his wife and son were tortured and killed by 'that most dreaded nation'. In one such attack, he gained three new passengers to the Nautilus - Pierre Aronnax, Conseil, and Ned Land.

Nemo took Aronnax under his wing and taught him everything about living under the sea. When the Nautilus returned to his base at the Island of Vulcania, it was overrun by soldiers. Nemo fought them off and destroyed the base, but was shot in the back. He seemingly died, as his submarine sunk to the bottom of the ocean, burying all of his scientific discoveries with it.

### Origins

Captain Nemo in the book was originally named **Prince Dakkar** and was a Hindu prince. As a result of Queen Victoria declaring herself Empress of India, his home nation came to be exploited and occupied, most notably by the East India Trading Company.

Dakkar's parents attempted to uprise against British occupation by participating in the Indian Rebellion of 1857. The rebellion came to be unsuccessful and Dakkar's parents were both murdered by the British in the war for Indian Independence. This event left Dakkar with a hatred for colonialism and imperialism in-addition to a general contempt for humanity.

Using what remained of his family's wealth and resources, Nemo funded the research and construction of the Nautilus as a means of him and his followers being able to escape the injustices of humanity.

## Appearances and allusions

### 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage

Nemo narrated the attraction at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, having welcomed guests onto the Nautilus for a voyage under the sea. He described the events as guests passed, from his crew members working to an encounter with a giant squid.

### Discovery Bay

In the backstory for the cancelled land Discovery Bay, Jason Chandler continued Nemo’s work and rebuilt the Nautilus from salvaged parts.

### Les Mystères du Nautilus

Nemo’s face can be seen in the mirror on his organ in the walkthrough attraction Les Mystères du Nautilus at Disneyland Paris' Discoveryland.

### Mysterious Island

Nemo is the protagonist of Mysterious Island at Tokyo DisneySea. In an alternative universe where Nemo did not die at the end of *20,000 Leagues*, inspired by Verne's novel of the same name, he opened Vulcania to the rest of society. He is navigating through Mount Prometheus to the center of the earth and in the depths of the ocean, and lets guests join him on his explorations.

#### Journey to the Center of the Earth

The volcano of Mysterious Island, Mount Prometheus, is Nemo’s base. He discovered the subterranean world, filled with mysterious and wondrous creatures that don’t exist on the surface. His notes are scattered throughout the queue.

#### 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Guests join Nemo and his crew as volunteers to help discover the mysteries of the deep. Nemo narrates the attraction, giving instructions as they journey through the depths of the sea. A portrait of Nemo can be found in the queue.

### Skipper Canteen

A book by Nemo can be found on a shelf at *Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen*, titled *The Polar Voyage.*. Additionally, there is a map by Captain Mary Oceaneer showing the Nautilus engaged in a fight with the giant squid.

## Trivia

* The original novel only alluded to Nemo's origins. Verne had intended for him to be Polish, rebelling against the Russians, but he changed it due to France's alliance with Russia.
	+ This is possibly the movie-adjacent Captain Nemo's origins considering how he was made white (and oddly enough, English).
* It is unknown why Nemo would be sympathetic towards S.E.A. considering his deep hatred for colonialism, imperialism and British nationalism.

## References

1. ↑ https://flickr.com/photos/aloha75/34277333900/