Réunion Island

Réunion Island, a French protectorate in the Indian Ocean, appears in the narrative of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea as a geographical marker and a site of scientific observation, illustrating the Nautilus's passage through the Indian Ocean and the natural phenomena encountered there.

Geographical and Geological Context

Réunion Island is mentioned in the context of the madreporic formations that create islands in the ocean. Professor Aronnax, in explaining the formation of atolls and barrier reefs, cites Réunion Island as an example of a location where fringing reefs, high, straight walls next to which the ocean's depth is considerable, are built by the limestone deposits of microscopic animals called madrepores. This places Réunion Island within a broader scientific discussion of coral reef geology, contrasting its structure with the atolls of the Tuamotu Islands and the barrier reefs of New Caledonia.

Narrative Role and Significance

In the narrative, Réunion Island is a point of reference during the Nautilus's journey. It is mentioned as a destination for the many English and French steamers that the Nautilus encounters in the narrow passageway of the Bab el Mandeb, indicating its position on major shipping routes. The island also serves as a geographical marker for the Nautilus's course, as Captain Nemo mentions that the ship could potentially make for the Mascarene Islands, which include Réunion, after visiting the waterways of Arabia and Egypt. This reference underscores the Nautilus's potential to navigate towards more populated areas, a prospect that raises the possibility of escape for Ned Land.

Thematic Significance

Réunion Island, as a French territory, represents the civilized world from which Captain Nemo has fled. Its mention in the context of shipping routes and scientific classification highlights the tension between the Nautilus's isolated, underwater existence and the human society that continues to operate on the surface. The island's presence in the narrative serves as a reminder of the world the protagonists have left behind and the ongoing scientific and commercial activities that define it.