# Chapter XX explained — Five Weeks in a Balloon

> Chapter companion for Five Weeks in a Balloon by Jules Verne.

## What happens

The Victoria encounters violent and irregular winds, passing over forests, villages, and a cannibal war-tree before witnessing a brutal battle between two native tribes. Kennedy shoots the chieftain, and the balloon escapes southward, disgusted by the cannibalistic orgy. The day ends with an anchor at 27°E, 4°20'N after 150 miles.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humanity vs. Nature

The travelers confront the raw brutality of nature through cannibalism, war, and scavenging birds, while the balloon itself is at the mercy of erratic winds.

### Colonialism and Cultural Superiority

The doctor and his companions view African customs (cannibalism, war rituals) with horror and moral judgment, comparing them unfavorably to European practices like hanging.

### Courage and Heroism

Kennedy's impulsive shot at the chieftain demonstrates a form of heroic intervention, though the doctor advocates non-interference.

## Character check-ins

### Dr. Samuel Ferguson

Observes the landscape, explains the fig-palm and mammoth trees, and counsels against intervening in the battle.

### Dick Kennedy

Notes the erratic wind, admires the banyan forest, and shoots the cannibal chieftain despite the doctor's objections.

### Joe

Throws a bottle to the villagers, jokes about growing trees in London, proposes harnessing eagles, and catches an arrow.

### Victoria

The balloon is tossed by irregular winds, skims low over villages, and rises to avoid arrows and birds of prey.

### The Scot

Comments on the cruelty of leaving bodies for wild beasts, comparing it to hanging.

### Guillaume Lejean

Mentioned in connection with the River of the Gazelles and Lake Nu.

## Key lines

> The wind had become violent and irregular; the balloon was running the gauntlet through the air. Tossed at one moment toward the north, at another toward the south, it could not find one steady current.

The balloon was buffeted by erratic winds, unable to maintain a steady course.

_Describes the challenging flight conditions._

> The thing has been seriously proposed, but I think it hardly practicable with creatures naturally so restive.

The idea of using eagles to pull the balloon has been suggested, but it's not practical due to their wild nature.

_Doctor Ferguson dismisses Joe's eagle team idea._

> Could the great captains of the world float thus above the scenes of their exploits, they would at last, perhaps, conceive a disgust for blood and conquest.

If famous military leaders could see battles from above, they might grow to hate war.

_Doctor Ferguson reflects on the perspective gained from the balloon._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters/xx
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/five_weeks_in_a_balloon_se/chapters