What would happen to society if there werenât people in it who could dream? Probably, it would still live in the Stone Age, maintain eternal fire in a deep cave and hunt for wild animals with sticks and bows. But, fortunately, visionaries were, are and will be! It is they who lead us to progress, captivating us beyond our dreams. And one of such dreamers, science fiction writers, who believe in a man with a capital letter, is Jules Verne.
Short biography of the writer
His name is familiar to us from a children's bench. The author of the book âChildren of Captain Grantâ, âFifteen Years Captainâ, âTwenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seaâ, âThe Mysterious Islandâ, âAround the World in Eighty Daysâ and a whole series of beautiful works, is undoubtedly an unusual person. He not only predicted the future of technological progress, but also worked in detail to ensure that his fantasies were scientifically substantiated and possible. It is not surprising that all of his flying vehicles, submarines and other devices take place in our lives.
Jules Verne was born on February 8, 1828 in French Nantes, near the country's largest port. Perhaps that is why he was so carried away by the sea since childhood. The ancestors were nobles, but the Vernov clan came from the Celts (by father) and Scots (by mother). The family was large, but the boyâs education was very decent. However, Jules dreamed about the sea, so he tried to get on a ship. Father took him ashore at the last moment and literally demanded a promise that this would not happen again. And the young guy kept his word: since then he only dreamed about the sea. And at first there were sonatas and poems dedicated to the cousin who rejected him, then plays, and then real literary masterpieces.
The best novel of the French dreamer
Who wrote Captain Grant's Children? The answer to this question will give, perhaps, every person. This work, although considered children's, has an unpredictable and very fascinating plot. The book is written in plain language, and scientific reasoning and information about the world around us are so interesting that even adults can read them with rapture. Therefore, we can safely say that the novel is the best of Jules Verneâs literary heritage.
J. Verne âChildren of Captain Grantâ: plot
The book begins with a story about the yacht "Duncan", which belongs to the rich Scotsman Edward Glenarvan. During the voyage, the crew catches a shark in whose belly there was a note. In it, in three languages, a certain captain Grant asks for help: after the death of their ship ("Britain"), he was on the island with two sailors. The geographic coordinates of this patch of land could not be fully read, since the paper was damaged by salt water. But this does not prevent noble people from going in search of the missing. Since the government refuses to equip the rescue operation, the lord sends it at his own expense. The expedition includes the children of Captain Grant - daughter Mary (sixteen years old) and son Robert (twelve years old), Lady Glenarvan, Major McNabbs, Captain John Mangles, Assistant Captain Tom Austin and a team of twenty-three people, originally from Scotland.
"Duncan" sets sail
Who wrote "Children of Captain Grant," we have already found out. Now let's talk about the future fate of the yacht, after she went sailing from the port of Glasgow. On board is suddenly another passenger who mixed up the ships. The absent-minded scientist Jacques Paganel decides to join the quest for the brave captain. At first, âDuncanâ makes its way to Patagonia, but when travelers crossed this land along the thirty-seventh parallel, having overcome all obstacles, they did not find Grant there. But everywhere they met noble people who were ready to help in difficult times. In the pampas of Argentina, they met a native named Talcavus, who became their guide.
Because the crew of the "Britain" was not found in South America, Paganel suggests that the note meant Australia. The team returns to the "Duncan" and sent to the green continent. Inspecting the island, the company sailed to Australia. There they quickly find the necessary tracks: the farm employee Ayrton once served as the boatswain of Captain Grant and saw the wreck with his own eyes. He volunteered to show the place where, as he thought, the whole crew of the ship died. The children of Captain Grant and their assistants go to the east of the mainland, but it turns out that Ayrton deceived them, because he was the leader of the robbers. He wanted to take possession of the Duncan, and destroy his passengers. Miraculously, they avoid a terrible fate, and the absent-mindedness of Paganel saves the ship.
Adventure continues
Very fascinating book "Children of Captain Grant"! The author sends his heroes to New Zealand, where they were almost eaten by the natives. But still the rescue operation continues. Ayrton tells everything he knows, and for this Glenarvan lands him on one of the islands of the Pacific Ocean. Fortunately, the island of Tabor, located on the thirty-seventh parallel, was a haven of captain Grant and his people. Having completed his mission, "Duncan" returns home. Happy end.
Characteristics of Heroes
The romanticist and idealist was J. Verne, âChildren of Captain Grantâ prove this. In the book we see different heroes, positive and negative. The characters of the second category are the true scum of society, ready for any crime for the sake of profit. So Ayrton, who is also the leader of the gang, was ready to kill almost three dozen people in order to take control of the high-speed yacht of the Scottish lord. But what do we see at the end? The triumph of the human spirit over evil, mercy over bad habits! Lord Glenarvan agrees with his wife, who asks Ayrton to be released in exchange for the truth that he will tell. And although the story of the sailor could not help in the search for the missing captain, a noble man keeps his word. Instead of trial and hard labor, which shone the robber, he was landed on the island. Thus, he received forgiveness from the team and a chance for repentance.
The positive characters in The Children of Captain Grant are brave, noble, and courageous people. They keep their word, given even to themselves, and are ready to overcome various obstacles in order to save one person. They risk their lives, but the goal is justified for them. Women in Jules Verneâs work (and this is exactly the one who wrote âChildren of Captain Grantâ) is also special. They are strong in spirit, willing to sacrifice themselves, merciful and never complain about fate or hardship. This is what the writer brought to society. He painted a big man who takes care of his neighbors, and receives help from heaven for this. After all, all those happy coincidences were nothing more than the protection of God, providence.
Features of the novel
The reader already knows who wrote The Children of Captain Grant. And anyone who loves the work of Jules Verne may recall that the book is literally filled with interesting information about the world around him. The writer talks about the habits of animals, about nature and its phenomena, about the climate of the continents and regions, about their flora and fauna, talks about geography and history. This is a real encyclopedia of knowledge from different fields of science! And only for this it is worth reading the whole novel.
The Great Trilogy of Jules Verne
We briefly described the plot of the first book included in the great trilogy created by Jules Verne. âChildren of Captain Grantâ have a sequel. This is the novel Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, which tells of the adventures of the amazing captain Nemo, the first builder of a submarine called Nautilus. And the "Mysterious Island", in which everything returns to square one. That is, Ayrton again becomes a normal member of society (not without the help of other heroes), and Captain Nemo takes the secret of his ship to another world, though, having revealed some of his secrets to people. And again, reading these books, one admires the ideal of a real person drawn by a great science fiction writer.
Jules Verne âChildren of Captain Grantâ: reviews of contemporaries
It is probably impossible to remain indifferent to the works of the great Frenchman. Everyone who reads them will fall in love forever. More than one generation has grown on them, and we can safely say that more than one will grow. We read and watch films based on the novels of Jules Verne, learn to be the best, strive for their own ideal.
Although for the sake of truth I must say that the reviews about the book âChildren of Captain Grantâ, as well as about the rest of the trilogy, are not the same. Of course, in the nineteenth century it was a bold fantasy, which was hard to believe in. And today - this is a very common occurrence. But I want to tell all these critics that the books are intended for children and those who still have a childish perception, faith in miracles, and a craving for adventure. And to read it is necessary for those who want to regain the feeling of childhood. Therefore, remember this name for life and do not ask who the author is. âChildren of Captain Grant,â like other novels by the incorrigible dreamer Jules Verne, is a book worth your attention.