Verne’s Tale of Two Cities: A Reflection on Science and Society in ‘The Begum Fortune’

  • Unique Paper ID: 184086
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue: 4
  • PageNo: 50-54
  • Abstract:
  • This analysis examines Jules Verne’s depiction of the complex interplay between science, morality, and societal development in his novel, "The Begum’s Fortune." Verne presents a dual vision of the future through contrasting cities: one representing a utopian society where science is used ethically to promote harmony and sustainability, and the other illustrating a dystopian world driven by unchecked technological power and moral neglect. The work underscores that technological progress is promising and dangerous, depending on human choices and ethical responsibilities. Verne warns that scientific advancements can lead to societal harm and environmental degradation without careful moral considerations. The novel encourages reflection on the importance of moral integrity, social responsibility, and the need for humans to balance innovation with ethical principles to build a better future. Overall, Verne’s story conveys that progress relies on technological development and moral values guiding their use.

Copyright & License

Copyright © 2025 Authors retain the copyright of this article. This article is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

BibTeX

@article{184086,
        author = {DIPANKAR MONDAL},
        title = {Verne’s Tale of Two Cities: A Reflection on Science and Society in ‘The Begum Fortune’},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2025},
        volume = {12},
        number = {4},
        pages = {50-54},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=184086},
        abstract = {This analysis examines Jules Verne’s depiction of the complex interplay between science, morality, and societal development in his novel, "The Begum’s Fortune." Verne presents a dual vision of the future through contrasting cities: one representing a utopian society where science is used ethically to promote harmony and sustainability, and the other illustrating a dystopian world driven by unchecked technological power and moral neglect. The work underscores that technological progress is promising and dangerous, depending on human choices and ethical responsibilities. Verne warns that scientific advancements can lead to societal harm and environmental degradation without careful moral considerations. The novel encourages reflection on the importance of moral integrity, social responsibility, and the need for humans to balance innovation with ethical principles to build a better future. Overall, Verne’s story conveys that progress relies on technological development and moral values guiding their use.},
        keywords = {Utopia, Dystopia, Science, Moral responsibility, technological progress.},
        month = {August},
        }

Cite This Article

  • ISSN: 2349-6002
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue: 4
  • PageNo: 50-54

Verne’s Tale of Two Cities: A Reflection on Science and Society in ‘The Begum Fortune’

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