How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
So it was a sad day I spent, between my wish to regain freedom and my regret at saying goodbye to the marvelous Nautilus and leaving my underwater studies unfinished! [...] What terrible hours I spent, now seeing myself safe on land with my companions, now wishing, despite my rational side, that some unforeseen circumstance would prevent Ned's plans from unfolding. […]
No oath tied us to him: he counted only on the force of circumstances, and not on our word, to bind us to his company for ever. Moreover, all our attempts were justified because of his freely admitted claim to keep us prisoner on board his ship in perpetuity. (2.8.20, 23)
Aronnax gives up physical freedom in order to enjoy a kind of intellectual independence. When Ned proposes an escape, he can't decide which kind of freedom is more important.
Quote #5
"Never be of any use!" he replied animatedly. "What makes you believe, monsieur, that these riches must be considered wasted if I collect them? Do you think that it is for my own benefit that I take the trouble to gather these treasures? Who told you that I do not put them to good use? Do you think I am unaware there are suffering beings and oppressed races on this planet, wretches to be helped and victims to be avenged? Don't you understand?" (2.8.75)
Nemo makes sure that Aronnax knows he's not just war-mongering on his own accord. He wants Aronnax to know that he's fighting for the freedom of others. But which "oppressed races" is he talking about? And did these people ever ask Nemo to fight for them?
Quote #6
Would I receive a warm reception if I asked for this freedom? Had he not declared, at the beginning and in formal fashion, that the secret surrounding his life demanded that we be kept imprisoned on board the Nautilus for ever? Would my silence over the last four months not appear to him to be tacit acceptance of the situation? Wouldn't raising the subject again cause suspicion which could hinder our plans if some favorable circumstance came up later? (2.10.12)
It's hard to tell if Aronnax is troubled by Nemo's reaction to his potential bid to escape because he's afraid of how Nemo'll react, or if Aronnax is simply trying to put off making a decision. Because he sure does love seeing everything the world's oceans have to offer out of those big, purty sea-viewing windows the Nautilus has.