# X: A Cannon Shot explained — The Giant Raft

> Chapter companion for The Giant Raft by Jules Verne.

## What happens

Benito dives into the Amazon to search for Torres' body and the metal case that could prove his father's innocence. Despite the dangers, he descends to great depths, facing a gymnotus attack, but ultimately finds the corpse.

## Themes in this chapter

### Journey and Transformation

Benito's perilous dive symbolizes a transformative quest for truth and justice, pushing physical and mental limits.

### Mortality and Fate

The search for Torres' corpse and the near-death encounter with the gymnotus highlight the fragility of life and the role of fate in the characters' struggles.

## Character check-ins

### Benito Garral

Dives repeatedly into the river to find Torres' body, enduring extreme pressure and a gymnotus attack.

### Manoel Valdez

Advises Benito on diving safety and waits anxiously on the raft.

### Torres

His corpse is the object of Benito's search, believed to be at the bottom of the river.

### Araújo

The pilot who assists with the diving operations and raft positioning.

### Fragoso

Present on the pirogues, waiting for news of Benito's search.

## Key lines

> Benito then had disappeared beneath the vast sheet which still covered the corpse of the adventurer.

Benito dove under the water that still hid the adventurer's body.

_Describes the beginning of Benito's dive to find Torres._

> Suddenly, in the subdued light which surrounded him, his attention was attracted by a confused mass. It seemed to take the form of a corpse, entangled beneath a clump of aquatic plants.

In the dim light, Benito spotted a shape that looked like a body caught in underwater plants.

_Benito spots what he believes to be Torres' corpse._

> A gymnotus! he said. It was the only word that passed his lips.

He exclaimed 'A gymnotus!' as the electric eel attacked him.

_Benito identifies the electric eel that attacks him underwater._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_giant_raft_se/chapters/x-a-cannon-shot
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_giant_raft_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_giant_raft_se/chapters