English Notes Chapter 4.3 “Chasing the Sea Monster” Class 7 Maharashtra Board

Notes For All Chapters – English Class 7

1. About the Author

• Jules Verne, a French writer, is called the “Father of Science Fiction.”
• He wrote about rockets, submarines, and space travel when such concepts were not known.

2. The Story

• Taken from Verne’s novel “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.”
• Describes a thrilling chase of a sea creature, thought to be a monster, by the ship Abraham Lincoln.

3. Key Terms Related to Ships

• Bow: The front part of a ship.
• Stern: The back part of a ship.
• Mast: A tall pole on the ship for holding sails.
• Deck: A flat area on a ship.
• Forecastle: The forward part of the deck.
• Afterdeck: An open area near the back.
• Starboard: The right side when facing forward.
• Port: The left side when facing forward.
• Yard: A pole across the mast to hang sails.

4. Key Characters

• Professor Aronnax: The narrator.
• Commander Farragut: The leader of the ship.
• Ned Land: A skilled harpooner.

5. Summary of Events

• The ship Abraham Lincoln encounters a glowing sea creature at night.
• The creature moves swiftly, circles the ship, and emits bright light, scaring the crew.
• The Commander decides to wait for daylight to take action.
• The crew remains alert throughout the night as the creature mimics the ship’s movements.
• Around midnight, the creature disappears, only to reappear later with a loud hiss.
• At dawn, the crew spots the creature again in the morning light.
• Ned Land sharpens his harpoon to prepare for the attack.
• The ship chases the creature at full speed, but the monster moves faster.
• Attempts to harm the creature:
  • Cannon fire misses the target.
  • Harpoons hit the creature but bounce off, showing it has armor-like protection.
• The monster retaliates by creating massive waves, damaging the ship.
• During the chaos, the narrator is thrown into the sea.

6. Descriptions of the Monster

• A glowing, fearsome creature with a long black body.
• Covered in armor-like skin.
• Emits light like a “blazing core.”
• Moves faster than the ship.

7. Important Events and Timeline

• Evening: The monster first appears, glowing brightly.
• Midnight: It disappears briefly but returns with a loud hiss.
• 2:00 a.m.: The light reappears five miles from the ship.
• Morning: The ship chases the monster unsuccessfully.
• 10:50 p.m.: The light reappears closer to the ship.

8. Lessons and Themes

• Curiosity and Fear: The crew’s curiosity about the monster clashes with their fear of the unknown.
• Human Ingenuity: The crew uses tools like cannons and harpoons but fails to overpower nature.
• Respect for Nature: The indestructible nature of the “monster” highlights the strength and mystery of the sea.

9. Vocabulary from the Chapter

• Unearthly: Strange and not of this world.
• Luminous: Bright and glowing.
• Fearsome: Very scary.
• Mimicked: Copied or imitated.
• Brandishing: Waving something in a threatening way.
• Torrent: A strong, fast-moving stream of water.