The One Who Can Wear Many Hats

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Опубликовано: 31.10.2023, 12:11

Автор: МБЦ

When it comes to Jules Verne’s characters there is one particular whose vivacity has always seemed to me especially prominent and which drew my attention the most. It is Jean Passepartout from the famous novel “Around the World in Eighty Days” that I mean. Whereas it is questionable, whether we should (and could) mark particular characters as “positive” or “negative”, Passepartout seems to me to be quite close to the former.

First of all, he is authentic. Real people do have foibles: even the kindest express anger from time to time, even the most evil ones have a lot to be respected for. And so is the Verne’s character. Notwithstanding the purely positive traits that will be listed below, he is erroneous at times. His decision not to unveil the Detective Fix’s following the travelers, his clumsiness, and forgetfulness are small things that make him human. And this is what evokes sympathy in readers. Being tricked by getting drugged up in an opium den is something one does not expect from a gentleman’s assistant in a novel.

But whilst appearing ridiculous Passepartout is a loyal companion. He cares for his patron’s feelings (which is the reason not to disclose Fix’s identity), he takes up any challenge Mr. Fogg faces. Though not always clever the valet is never lagging behind passively. It is he who rescues Fogg’s future love – a beautiful Indian woman named Aouda. It is he who manages to uncouple the railcars to save the people (when in America).

And the trait that is – to my mind – the most important in him as a “positive” character is his unmatched alacrity. The situations Passepartout manages to get entangled in are sometimes unbelievable, but he always gets away with everything. It is a character that is always on the move, he possesses a rare level of liveliness that is both hilarious and worth being respected for. One episode in particular: when he dresses up as a clown and performs in a circus to get to the United States. It takes courage and ingenuity to venture and take chances in such a win-or-lose situation. I would say he is a person who can wear many hats and has the guts to really “wear” them all when necessary. And fate pays him back for his bravery since he always manages to catch up with his patron in spite of all obstacles and challenges.

All in all, Jean Passepartout appears to me a character of liking for many reasons. His vibrant persona is contagious with laughter, positivity, and deep sympathy most of the time. Smart and nimble, he is never afraid, but rather always optimistic. He is the opposite of his master – the main character. Quite contrarily he is active and fervent, closer to a so-called “trickster”. Hardly is it possible to be just like him in real life, but it seems to me that Passepartout with all his personality at hand might be a perfect reference for many Jules Verne’s readers – both young and old.

Никогосов Антон, студент 4 курса

направления 45.03.02 «Лингвистика», профиль «Иностранный язык и иностранный язык (английский / французский)» 

Факультета русской филологии и иностранных языков

Института гуманитарных наук и языковых коммуникаций

Федерального государственного бюджетного образовательного учреждения высшего образования «Псковский государственный университет»

The Goodness Beneath the Surface

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Опубликовано: 31.10.2023, 12:06

Автор: МБЦ

Jules Verne's "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea" presents readers with a multifaceted protagonist in Captain Nemo. Stereotypically, the main character is someone a reader can relate to, someone possessing good qualities. That conversely results in the readers sympathizing to the side characters as they are more humane and complex. Jules Verne, notable for his thinking out of the box, presents readers with Captain Nemo, a multifaceted, controversial protagonist, whose motifs result in heated discussion and whose moral compass never points in one direction.

Captain Nemo is a character whose positive or negative qualities are open to interpretation. However, I’ve always seen him in a positive way as like in real life, never have I seen a person unflawed. Even the best of us have a shadow side they learn to live in peace with and Nemo, with all his complexity, neurotic tendencies, and a natural for the people of science habit to relentlessly doubt, handles his shade pretty well.

Here, we'll dwell upon some aspects of his character that may lead some readers to see him in a positive light.

Firstly, the layered personality of Captain Nemo is a result of his undeterred process of mental work. He never ceases to make new conclusions, questioning his beliefs, and thinking beyond the limits- the qualities he might have inherited from Jules Verne himself. The qualities of a natural-born philosopher those are. And that’s why this person will never stop growing and getting better.

Additionally, his insatiable curiosity and his commitment to exploring the depths of the oceans shows a wonderful example of the rule “Do what you love and love what you do”.

Secondly, Captain Nemo's desire for independence, as well as his self-sufficiency aboard the Nautilus, is a consequence of his rebellion against the social norms and injustices he couldn’t ignore. It shows how far from the indifference Nemo actually is, since many people choose to never think about the problems of other social and racial groups and the global problems, we all a part of.

Thirdly, while Captain Nemo's methods can be extreme at times, his protection of the ocean from destruction can be considered a noble cause. He shows a deep care for the environment and works to prevent the exploitation of the marine life, which aligns with contemporary concerns about environmental conservation.

To sum up, while Captain Nemo does not conform to traditional heroic ideals, his enigmatic and fluid personality provoke many thoughts in readers’ minds and coax them to look in depth of their own morals. And, dare I say, it is the most humane and positive thing to do!

Громова Виктория, студентка 4 курса

направления 45.03.02 «Лингвистика», профиль «Иностранный язык и иностранный язык (английский / французский)» 

Факультета русской филологии и иностранных языков

Института гуманитарных наук и языковых коммуникаций

Федерального государственного бюджетного образовательного учреждения высшего образования «Псковский государственный университет»

Эссе Жарковой Полины на тему «Кого из литературных героев Жюля Верна можно считать положительным персонажем и почему».

Информация о материале

Опубликовано: 31.10.2023, 12:02

Автор: МБЦ

I like reading, especially adventure novels of Jules Verne.

They capture my attention and imagination.

One of my favorite book is «The fifteen years old captain». Dick Sand is the main character in this novel and he is definitely positive character.

Dick grew up in an orphanage.

Dick is resolute, brave and honorable. He is clever and very energetic.

He is capable of daring. Dick was young captain.

He was able to take responsibility for the ship and crew.

Their journey from Africa to South America was full of trials.

But everything ended well thanks to Dick.

Then Dick got education and became a real captain.

It couldn`t have been any other way with his character.

Жаркова Полина, ученица 8 «А» класса МБОУ «Лицей № 4 «Многопрофильный»г. Пскова

Essai sur le thème «Lequel des héros littéraires de Jules Verne peut être considéré comme un personnage positif et pourquoi?»

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Опубликовано: 31.10.2023, 11:54

Автор: МБЦ

Souvent nous apercevons que le héros positif se decouvert de premère page de quelle œuvre. Y compris les œuvre de Jules Verne. Mais si on regarde attentivement, on peut remarquer qu’il existe certain ouvrage où se cache un héros favorable et parfoit il existe à l’ombre d’œuvre. C’est à dire ce n'est pas toujours un héros positif qui se manifeste dans cette manière dès le début du roman. Par exemple; dans le roman «L'Île mystérieuse» de Jules Verne je trouve que le maître du roman a décidé de créer une image positive de Tom Ayrton - ancien matelot de première classe qui est un bandit repenti. Il était depuis longtemps dans un profond désespoir, mais grâce à l’attention et le soins de l’équipe de voyageurs, le sauvage se transforme bientôt en un homme civilisé et leur raconte son histoire. Malgré sa réputation negative et ses circonstances difficiles, en restant dans l'ombre de son équipe, il devient un vrai héros face à la situation des evenements chauffés sur l'île. Ayrton se souvient de ses anciens crimes et est toujours prêt à tout sacrifice. 

Il éprouve de forts remords et se sent indigne de vivre parmi des gens honnêtes. Cependant, il prouve sa valeur et rachète sa culpabilité en travaillant pour le bien commun du groupe et, finalement, en restant fidèle à ses nouveaux amis, face aux tentations de son style de vie passé.

Le romane «L'Île mystérieuse» nous montre encore une fois que l’écrivain est exceptionnel; sa capacité de révéler des caractéristiques positifs dans un personnage négatif, de montrer la véritable dispensation intérieure le héros d’ouvrage, ainsi que de mettre le personnage principal par une tournure inattendue, passionnante et décisive des événements au premier plan, on prouve encore une fois - Jules Verne est un écrivain de science-fiction le plus talentueux de son époque. Au ХХІ siècle ses œuvres sont pertinentes, extraordinaires, aimées et suffisamment scientifiques.

Алимова Элина Мурадовна,

библиотекарь Рязанской ОУНБ им. Горького