Oppressed by Captain Nemo, Ned Land sought liberty. Although Nemo gave the illusion of freedom through mobility on the ship, he had the control. Unhappy living in the Nautilus, Ned Land was constantly fighting to be free. Throughout the entire novel, we see the only one making an honest effort to escape is Ned Land. Freedom is necessary to live a fulfilling life. Ned Land was the most resistant to the initial capture. Both Aronnax and Conseil had showed little to no resistance. “Nevertheless, Ned Land, who was furious at what had happened, was giving full vent to his indignation” (51). He had even tried to escape that very day they were captured. “‘Not in the pot!’ replied the Canadian, ‘but in the oven without a doubt! It’s dark enough here and fortunately I still have my bowie knife, and I can always see well enough to use that. The first of those bandits to lay hands on me—’” (52). …show more content…
During their journey through the Red Sea, Aronnax tries to convince Ned Land that escaping would be a waste of such a unique opportunity, but Ned Land retorts with, “… ‘That’s all very well, but in my opinion, one cannot be happy unless he is free’” (227). Aronnax is more willing to let their imprisonment seem minor, but Ned Land recognizes that they are trapped and cannot use their free will: “But do you realize, Monsieur Aronnax,” the Canadian answered, “that we have been prisoners aboard the Nautilus for almost three