Daughter of the Deep

Ana dreams of drowning, which she thinks “isn’t like me,” and she goes for a morning swim with Socrates to cheer herself up (168). After a quick breakfast, Ana, Nelinha, and Ester all go with Ophelia to see the Nautilus although it makes Ester nervous: The Nautilus is a prototypical AI that Nemo created, making it alive. Ophelia warns them to be careful when approaching the submarine, and Ester realizes that it was the Nautilus itself that killed Ana’s parents, since it was angry. Ester explains, “it had been sitting at the bottom of the ocean for a hundred and fifty years. Nemo abandoned it” (174). 

Ana’s entire life has led to this point—trying to board the Nautilus. When they approach, Ana notes its distressed appearance. She also thinks, “even more unsettling are the Nautilus’ eyes,” which are the two windows on the bow (178). While the submarine was underwater, it entered a state of self-preserving dormancy, but when Ana’s parents attempted to enter it, the submarine sent out a deadly electrical shock. Before Ana enters, she greets the Nautilus in Bundeli, “Nemo’s native tongue,” and then she walks on board (182).