Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne

 

 

Journey to the Centre of the Earth

by Jules Verne

 

          I am in the midst of reading the classic science fiction novel Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Jules Verne.  It is told through the eyes of Axel Lidenbrock, nephew of the eccentric Professor Lidenbrock, professor of geology and minerology at a college in Hamburg, Germany in 1863.  Professor Lidenbrock finds a parchment with a coded message in a 16th century book by an alchemist named Arne Saknussemm who claimed that he had traveled to the center of the earth.  The professor will not rest until he finds the meaning of this message and so, he sets off on a journey to Iceland with his nephew as his assistant to find the center of the earth.

          While Axel and his uncle, the professor Lidenbrock, both share a great love for science, there are great contrasts between them.  Axel does not match his uncle's scientific curiousity and is more practical about the hardships of their journey.  He prefers the comforts of home to exploring the depths of a volcano named Snaefells in the earth that could potentially become active.  Although it is Axel who figures out the coded message on the parchment that leads them on this journey, he does not immediately reveal it to his uncle, fearing precisely the dangerous journey that this could lead to.  Axel's lack of a scientist's character is shown by his constant hunger, compared to the professor's habit of ignoring meals while involved in great scientific research.  For example, at one point early on in the planning of their journey, the professor hides the keys to the door so that they cannot get their food.  Also unlike the professor, Axel is afraid of the dangers of the voyage but manages to hide his fear in part so that he is not shown up by their guide, Hans Bjelke.  In contrast, the professor sacrifices everything, including his safety and that of his companions for his journey and quest for knowledge.

          Axel's decision to stay on this treacherous journey rather than turning back seems to be a vital point in this book.  Professor Lidenbrock seems to need Axel to help him be more practical and cautious.  For example, as they were approaching Snaefells, Axel raised the question about the possibility that Snaeffels was not extinct.  He said,

"Just because the monster has been asleep since 1229, does it follow that it can never wake up again?  And if it does wake up, what will become of us?"
 

As I continue to read this great classic, it will be really interesting to find out if Axel and the professor make it safely to find the center of the earth.