Journey To The Centre of The Earth by Jules Verne
This book is about the quest to the centre of the earth. The expedition is led by Professor Otto Lidenbrock and includes Axel and their Icelandic guide Hans. Lidenbrock stumbles upon this discovery when he was going through a runic script. In the runic script he discovers a coded message written by an Icelandic alchemist Arne Saknussemm, saying that he has been to the centre of the earth. He goes on to describe how exactly he did it. So Professor Otto Lidenbrock, Axel, and Hans go to Sneffels where they are let down by cloudy skies. But on the last day the sun comes out and they enter the correct crater. Once in they face many mishaps like being in a chamber filled with combustible gas and face several prehistoric creatures. After the journey they return to Hamburg to great acclaim–Professor Lidenbrock is hailed as one of the greatest scientists of history, Axel marries his sweetheart Graüben, and Hans eventually returns to his peaceful life in Iceland. ~ Submitted by Anonymous
“A Journey to the Center of the Earth” by Jules Verne is about Professor Hardwigg (Professor Otto Lindenbrock in French version) and his nephew, Harry (Axel) set off on a journey with their Icelandic guide, Hans, to find the center of the earth. Professor Hardwigg purchases a book and finds runic writing inside. He and his nephew decode it, finding it was by a man named Arne Saknussem, who claims to have made it to the center. They follow the instructions (Harry silently regretting most of the time) and set off for their perilous journey.–Submitted by Anonymous
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PLOT SUMMARY
Chapter 1 – A Great Discovery
Hamburg, Germany, May 1862, Professor Lidenbrock and his nephew, Axel, decoded a message written 300 years ago by a famous Icelandic explorer, Arne Saknussemm. In his coded message, Arne Saknussem wrote that he had been to the center of the earth and he went on to describe how he did it. Brushing aside the concerns of his nephew, the Professor insists that Axel accompany him on the expedition. Sadly, Axel takes his leave from his beloved Gretchen.
Chapter 2 – Our Journey Begins
Professor Lindenbrock and Axel travel for ten days by ship before reaching Iceland. Professor Lidenbrock employs, Hans Bjelke, as their guide on their adventure. Gathering supplies, the trio depart for Mt. Sneffels, the point through which they can gain access to the core of the earth. Ten days later, on Monday, June 29th, they reach the top of Mount Sneffel. The shadow of the afternoon sun shows which crater they should descend.
Chapter 3 – Into the Earth
The trio descend into the crater and they travel downward until they reach the bottom of the pit. There are two tunnels and the Professor chooses the one on the right. After several days trekking underground and almost out of water, they have to retrace their steps because the path leads to a dead end. Finally returning to the beginning of the two tunnels, Axel collapses and assumes they will return to the surface. Although the Professor shows concern for Axel, he asks for one more day to find water before they abandon the journey. On Wednesday, July8, they descend into the second tunnel and emerge into a chamber of clear white mica. The chamber resembles a giant diamond cavern.
Chapter 4 – Lost
Hans finds an underground river and they quench their thirst. On Thursday, July 9, they continue on with their journey. By the next evening the professor estimates their position to be 90 miles southeast of Mount Sneffels and eight miles deep. They come to an abyss and make their way down a naturally formed staircase. On Sunday, July 12, they climb down about 20 miles. Over the next two weeks they climb down deeper and deeper into the earth. On Thursday, August 6, Axel finds himself alone. In desperation he retraces his steps but becomes hopelessly lost.
Chapter 5 – The Great Sea
It is only after much suffering that Axel is reunited with his uncle and Hans. They can hear the sound of waves. In fact, the three have arrived at a vast underground body of water which is given the name Lidenbrock Sea. Exploring the area around the sea, the travellers find what looks like a forest of giant mushrooms. They also see ferns as tall as trees and a mastodon skeleton. On Tuesday, August 11, the Professor decides that they must cross the ocean. Hans builds a raft from giant reeds and a sail from a sleeping rug. On Thursday, August 13, they push out to sea leaving behind the shore which they named Port Gretchen. The raft moves quickly and they travel about 75 miles in 24 hours. On Friday, August 14, Hans drops a hook and soon a fish is caught. It is an ancient species long extinct in the world above and they cook it for their meal. The professor wants to learn the depth of the sea so Hans attaches a pickaxe to a long rope and throws it overboard. When Hans retrieves the pickaxe it bears marks that look like teeth. On Tuesday, August 18, two huge sea monsters surface, battle, and almost swamp the raft. On Friday, August 21, a storm hits them. The raft is eventually cast up on a rocky shore in the midst of the storm and Hans carries Axel to safety. As the storm dies down they find, to their dismay, that they have been carried back to the same shore from which they left.
Chapter 6 – The Boiling Tunnel
Exploring an area which is farther along the shore than their starting point, the Professor and Axel find a huge field of bones. The Professor is delighted when they find a human skull. Continuing their exploration they come across a vast forest of prehistoric plants. They spot gigantic mastodons and in the distance see a twelve-foot tall human being. Afraid of confrontation, they leave the area. Going back to the shore they find a huge rock, with the initials A. S. carved on it, beside the entrance to a dark tunnel. With evidence that Arne Saknussemm has traveled this way, they enter the passage only to discover that it is blocked by a big boulder. They decide to blast the boulder using gunpowder. They set the charge and retreat to the raft. The explosion opens a deep hole that lets in the underground sea. They and their raft are swept along with the rushing waters. They head up the tunnel at an amazing speed. They ascend swiftly as the waters push up the raft along a narrow shaft. Axel worries about the rising temperature. The trio soon discover that the water beneath the raft is boiling hot. Finally Axel sees a tiny circle of light above. The professor realizes that they are inside an erupting volcano which leads out to the earth’s surface. They land outside the volcano. While making their way down, they learn from a young shepherd that they are on the island of Stromboli in Italy. They have entered the earth by one volcano and come out by another, over 3,000 miles apart. Four months after discovering Arne Saknussemm’s coded message they return to Hamburg where the trio are treated like heroes and the Professor’s achievements are recognized. Gigantic mastodons and in the distance see a twelve-foot tall human being. Afraid of confrontation, they leave the area. Going back to the shore they find a huge rock, with the initials A. S. carved on it, beside the entrance to a dark tunnel. With evidence that Arne Saknussemm has traveled this way, they enter the passage only to discover that it is blocked by a big boulder. They decide to blast the boulder using gunpowder. They set the charge and retreat to the raft. The explosion opens a deep hole that lets in the underground sea. They and their raft are swept along with the rushing waters. They head up the tunnel at an amazing speed. They ascend swiftly as the waters push up the raft along a narrow shaft. Axel worries about the rising temperature. The trio soon discover that the water beneath the raft is boiling hot.
ELEMENTS
SETTING
This adventure story is set in 1862 when there were no modern facilities. The story starts in Hamburg, Germany and the journey takes Lidenbrock and Axel to Iceland where they meet Hans and together they go below the earth’s surface. After four months, they get blown out of the center earth in Sicily before they finally make their way back to Hamburg, Germany.
CHARACTERS
Professor Otto Lidenbrock – An intelligent, determined and adventurous scientist
Axel Lidenbrock – A faithful and loyal nephew. He is young and easily scared.
Hans Bjelke – A brave Danish guide. He is very quiet but is always
on hand to save the other two explorers.
Gretchen – A young woman who loves Axel.
CHARACTERS
Professor Otto Lidenbrock
-An intelligent, determined and adventurous scientist
Axel Lidenbrock
-A faithful and loyal nephew. He is young and easily
scared.
Hans Bjelke
-A brave Danish guide. He is very quiet but is always
on hand to save the other two explorers.
Gretchen-A young woman who loves Axel.
THEMES
1. Seeking knowledge
Professor Otto Lidenbrock went on a journey to the center of the earth to seek knowledge.
2. The spirit of adventure
The trio went on an adventure and experienced wondrous sights.
3. Explorations
To explore unknown places where humans have not gone before.
4. The wonders of the human mind
The human mind is forever seeking new knowledge and the mind of Professor Lidenbrock is a good example of this.
5. The wonders of Science
There is still so much that we do not know. We have to be brave to discover new wonders of Science.
VALUES
Some values found in this graphic novel are:
1. When we really want something, we should persevere. Uncle Lidenbrock refused to listen to Axel’s excuses on why they should not go on the journey.
2. We should not endanger others because of our passion for something. Otto Lidenbrock put Axel, Hans and himself in danger by going to the center of the earth.
3. We must dare to take risks. Otto Lidenbrock dared to go on an adventure to the center of the earth.
4. We should take the opportunity to discover the wonders of Science. The trio were willing to go down into the center of the earth to find out more about the earth beneath their feet
5. It is important to be courageous. It took a lot of courage on their part to go into the center of the earth.
SMK CHENDERING 