Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman Empire, though never directly encountered by the Nautilus's passengers, functions as a key political referent in the novel, embodying the imperial oppression that Captain Nemo has dedicated his life to fighting. Its presence is felt most acutely through the rebellion of Crete, an island under Ottoman rule, and through the implied historical context of Nemo's own origins, which are tied to the 1863 Polish Uprising against Tsarist Russia—a parallel imperial power. The empire thus serves as a synecdoche for the tyrannical forces that have driven Nemo to sever all ties with the surface world and wage a secret war from beneath the seas.
The Cretan Rebellion and Nemo's Philanthropy
The most direct reference to the Ottoman Empire occurs during the Nautilus's passage through the Greek Islands. Professor Aronnax notes that Crete, also called Candia, was "in rebellion against its tyrannical rulers, the Ottoman Empire of Turkey" . This historical context is crucial for understanding a later, mysterious event: the delivery of a chest containing millions of francs in gold ingots to a diver off the coast of Crete. Captain Nemo, who had earlier declared himself "rich to the tune of billions" from salvaging sunken treasure, orchestrates this delivery. The gold is loaded into a skiff and dispatched into the night, an act that Aronnax later realizes was a contribution to the Cretan rebels. This clandestine philanthropy reveals that Nemo's war against oppression is not merely abstract; he actively uses his underwater wealth to support real-world struggles for liberation, directly opposing the Ottoman Empire's rule.
The Oppressed and the Oppressor
Nemo's personal philosophy is built on a stark dichotomy between the oppressed and their oppressors. When Aronnax questions the morality of amassing such wealth while "thousands of unfortunate people" go without, Nemo retorts with a passionate defense of his actions, asking if Aronnax thinks he is "unaware of the suffering beings and oppressed races living on this earth, poor people to comfort, victims to avenge" . This outburst, which follows the Bay of Vigo treasure scene, directly links his treasure to a program of global philanthropy and vengeance. The Ottoman Empire, as the oppressor of Crete, fits squarely into this category of tyrannical powers that Nemo believes he has the right and duty to oppose. His hatred is not indiscriminate but is directed at the structures of power that crush nations and families.
The Implied Origin: A Parallel to Imperial Russia
The novel's backstory, as revealed in the introduction, provides a crucial parallel. Verne originally conceived Nemo as a Polish nobleman whose family was slaughtered by Russian troops during the 1863 Polish Uprising . Although this specific origin was suppressed by the publisher, the thematic structure remains: Nemo is a victim of a great empire's violence. The Ottoman Empire, in the published text, inherits this role as a contemporary imperial power. When Nemo, after saving a Ceylonese pearl diver, declares, "That Indian, professor, lives in the land of the oppressed, and I am to this day, and will be until my last breath, a native of that same land!" , he identifies himself with all colonized peoples. The Ottoman Empire, alongside other imperial states, represents the system that creates such oppression.
The Final Act of Vengeance and the 'Accursed Nation'
The novel's climax involves the Nautilus's deliberate sinking of a warship. As the vessel approaches, Nemo's fury is unleashed. He shouts at the ship, "O ship of an accursed nation, you know who I am!" and later declares, "I'm the law, I'm the tribunal! I'm the oppressed, and there are my oppressors! Thanks to them, I've witnessed the destruction of everything I loved, cherished, and venerated—homeland, wife, children, father, and mother!" . While the nationality of the warship is never explicitly stated, the context of the novel's political landscape strongly suggests it belongs to an imperial power, potentially the Ottoman Empire or another state complicit in the oppression Nemo has suffered. The sinking is the culmination of his lifelong war, a direct act of vengeance against the system that destroyed his family. The ship's name, the Avenger, which Nemo reveals to be the original name of the French ship he is visiting, further underscores the theme of righteous retribution against tyranny.
Narrative Role and Thematic Significance
The Ottoman Empire, though a background entity, is essential to the novel's moral and political architecture. It provides a concrete, contemporary example of the tyranny that Nemo has dedicated his life to fighting, moving his conflict from a purely personal vendetta to a broader ideological war. The empire's role in the Cretan rebellion allows Nemo to demonstrate his active philanthropy, while its implied presence in the final, catastrophic battle gives his vengeance a political dimension. The Ottoman Empire, therefore, is not merely a historical footnote but a key component of the novel's critique of 19th-century imperialism, serving as the dark mirror to Nemo's quest for a free and independent existence beneath the waves.
