“That music is only an artistic combination of sonorous waves may be true, but there is no reason why these waves should be let loose in deafening tempests”. Music in Jules Verne’s works
The qualities of Jules Verne’s works as literature are usually underestimated due to their unique international popularity, despite the fact that they reflected an era, during which science and positivism could coexist with metaphysical perceptions within the same narrative. Several views have been proposed regarding the value of Verne’s works as literature; however the place and the use of music in this context still has a lot to offer. Verne had connections with his era’s music theatre, and both his experiences and his knowledge regarding music (both as science and art) acquired as part of his researches make frequent appearances in his works. The present essay attempts a brief overview of specific works by Verne and investigates the use of music in them, correlating it with the era’s musical manners, the inventions and the scientific developments in music technology, as well as the emerging (ethno)musicology. Particular emphasis is given to the inherent interaction of music and literature, an interaction that may vary from mere addition of realism in certain descriptions or indirect national stereotypes’ presentation to the use of music as important element of narrative developments or allegorical annotations, and even as structural basis, on which entire works are created.
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