The Mysterious Island

Writing in the latter half of the 19th century, Verne’s works often demonstrate a fascination with technology and craftsmanship, usually without crossing the line into pure fantasy. For instance, the men have a conversation about the use of coal for their technological marvels and at the same time muse that they will one day need to invent some new source of fuel and energy, as Cyrus proposes: “I believe that water will one day be used as fuel, that the hydrogen and oxygen of which it is constituted will be used […] to furnish an inexhaustible source of heat and light, more powerful than coal can ever be” (379). To survive on the island, the men repeatedly resort to their own ingenuity and to crafting the technology that can help them thrive.

Throughout The Mysterious Island, the characters are thrown into dire straits but never fall victim to despair. They always find a way to conquer their fears and survive thanks to their wits and work ethic. The men of the company find themselves stranded on an unknown island with no immediate hope of being rescued, yet almost immediately they determine what they need to do to survive. They set about creating shelter, finding sustenance, and balancing the need to ensure their own safety while also seeking a way to search for their one lost companion (Cyrus) who is initially missing.