El Tur
El Tur is a bay on the Sinai Peninsula, situated at the northern extremity of the Red Sea near the entrance to the Gulf of Suez. In Jules Verne's Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, this location is distinguished by a striking natural phenomenon: its waters appear a vivid, blood-like red. Captain Nemo explains to Professor Aronnax that this coloration is caused by the presence of microscopic algae known as trichodesmia, of which 40,000 are needed to occupy a single square millimeter. This explanation underscores Nemo's deep, firsthand knowledge of the sea's secrets, a knowledge he has acquired through his extensive underwater travels aboard the Nautilus.
Location and Significance in the Narrative
El Tur is not merely a geographical point but a marker of the Nautilus's progress through the Red Sea. As the ship approaches the Gulf of Suez, the waters become less salty, and the landscape becomes more historically charged. The bay lies in the shadow of Mount Horeb, the biblical Mount Sinai where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments. This proximity to a site of profound religious and historical significance adds a layer of mythic weight to the journey. For Aronnax, the sight of the mountain, which he describes as "that summit the mind's eye always pictures as wreathed in lightning," connects the scientific voyage to a deeper, almost spiritual, history.
The Red Waters and Natural History
The unique red hue of El Tur's waters is a central feature of the location. Nemo's explanation of the phenomenon—attributing it to a purplish, mucilaginous substance produced by tiny buds—demonstrates his role as a naturalist and guide. This moment is part of a broader conversation about the Red Sea's name and history, where Nemo dismisses fanciful legends in favor of a scientific explanation rooted in observation. The bay thus becomes a classroom where the wonders of the natural world are revealed, reinforcing the novel's theme of exploration and discovery.
Connection to Captain Nemo's Character
El Tur also serves as a backdrop for a revealing exchange between Aronnax and Captain Nemo. When Aronnax asks if Nemo has ever discovered traces of the biblical crossing of the Israelites under the waters, Nemo replies that the location is now so clogged with sand that camels can barely get their legs wet, making it inaccessible to the Nautilus. This response highlights Nemo's pragmatic, almost cynical, view of history and his separation from the terrestrial world. He is a man who has seen the ocean's depths but remains detached from the myths and religions of the land. The bay, with its blood-red waters and proximity to sacred mountains, becomes a symbol of the gulf between Nemo's underwater kingdom and the world he has abandoned.
