Castaways and Conquerors: Exposing American Imperialism in Jules Verne’s The Mysterious Island

Abstract

At first glance, Jules Verne’s The Mysterious Island seems like a simple adventure story, but a deeper examination reveals how it embodies the ideas prevalent in nineteenth-century America. Focusing on postcolonial and Marxist angles, this article reveals how the castaways’ supposedly perfect society on a deserted isle reproduces processes of colonial expropriation and capitalist appropriation. The absence of Indigenous peoples, the transformation of the island’s landscape, and the collective approach to labor highlight the novel’s engagement with imperial and economic concerns. Additionally, Captain Nemo’s intricate role—opposing colonial rule while also validating and testing the castaways—underscores the narrative’s internal tensions. Ultimately, the essay contends that The Mysterious Island offers a commentary on American identity, emphasizing how it intertwines with expansionist aims and capitalist ideologies, and prompting readers to reconsider what “progress” meant to nineteenth-century audiences.