the journey to the centre of the earth

8/12/2019 The Journey to the Centre of the Earth

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THE JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH

SYNOPSYS

This book is about the quest to the centre of the earth. The expedition is led by Professor OttoLidenbrock 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 acclaimProfessor Lidenbrock is hailed as one of the greatest

scientists of history, Axel marries his sweetheart Graben, and Hans eventually returns to his

peaceful life in Iceland.

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.


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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. Inhis coded message, Arne Saknussem wrote that he had been to the center of the earthand 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 hisleave 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 reachthe top of Mount Sneffel. The shadow of the afternoon sun shows which crater theyshould descend.

Chapter 3 Into the Earth

The trio descend into the crater and they travel downward until they reach the bottom ofthe 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 theirsteps because the path leads to a dead end. Finally returning to the beginning of thetwo tunnels, Axel collapses and assumes they will return to the surface. Although theProfessor shows concern for Axel, he asks for one more day to find water before theyabandon the journey. On Wednesday, July8, they descend into the second tunnel andemerge into a chamber of clear white mica. The chamber resembles a giant diamondcavern.


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Chapter 4 Lost

Hans finds an underground river and they quench their thirst. On Thursday, July 9, theycontinue on with their journey. By the next evening the professor estimates their positionto be 90 miles southeast of Mount Sneffels and eight miles deep. They come to anabyss and make their way down a naturally formed staircase. On Sunday, July 12, theyclimb down about 20 miles. Over the next two weeks they climb down deeper anddeeper into the earth. On Thursday, August 6, Axel finds himself alone. In desperationhe 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 canhear the sound of waves. In fact, the three have arrived at a vast underground body ofwater 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 astrees and a mastodon skeleton. On Tuesday, August 11, the Professor decides thatthey must cross the ocean. Hans builds a raft from giant reeds and a sail from asleeping rug. On Thursday, August 13, they push out to sea leaving behind the shorewhich they named Port Gretchen. The raft moves quickly and they travel about 75 milesin 24 hours. On Friday, August 14, Hans drops a hook and soon a fish is caught. It is anancient species long extinct in the world above and they cook it for their meal. Theprofessor wants to learn the depth of the sea so Hans attaches a pickaxe to a long ropeand throws it overboard. When Hans retrieves the pickaxe it bears marks that look liketeeth. On Tuesday, August 18, two huge sea monsters surface, battle, and almostswamp 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 stormdies down they find, to their dismay, that they have been carried back to the same shorefrom which they left.

Chapter 6 The Boiling Tunnel

Exploring an area which is farther along the shore than their starting point, the Professorand Axel find a huge field of bones. The Professor is delighted when they find a humanskull. 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 hugerock, with the initials A. S. carved on it, beside the entrance to a dark tunnel. Withevidence that Arne Saknussemm has traveled this way, they enter the passage only todiscover that it is blocked by a big boulder. They decide to blast the boulder usinggunpowder. They set the charge and retreat to the raft. The explosion opens a deephole that lets in the underground sea. They and their raft are swept along with therushing waters. They head up the tunnel at an amazing speed. They ascend swiftly as


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the waters push up the raft along a narrow shaft. Axel worries about the risingtemperature. 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 anerupting volcano which leads out to the earths 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 outby another, over 3,000 miles apart. Four months after discovering Arne Saknussemmscoded message they return to Hamburg where the trio are treated like heroes and theProfessors achievements are recognized. Gigantic mastodons and in the distance seea twelve-foot tall human being. Afraid of confrontation, they leave the area. Going backto the shore they find a huge rock, with the initials A. S. carved on it, beside theentrance 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 decideto blast the boulder using gunpowder. They set the charge and retreat to the raft. Theexplosion opens a deep hole that lets in the underground sea. They and their raft areswept 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 worriesabout the rising temperature. The trio soon discover that the water beneath the raft isboiling hot. Finally Axel sees a tiny circle of light above. The professor realizes that theyare inside an erupting volcano which leads out to the earths surface. They land outsidethe volcano. While making their way down, they learn from a young shepherd that theyare on the island of Stromboli in Italy. They have entered the earth by one volcano andcome out by another, over 3,000 miles apart. Four months after discovering ArneSaknussemms coded message they return to Hamburg where the trio are treated likeheroes and the Professors achievements are recognized.


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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 Icelandwhere they meet Hans and together they go below the earths surface. After fourmonths, they get blown out of the center earth in Sicily before they finally make theirway back to Hamburg, Germany.

CHARACTERS

Professor Otto Lidenbrock - An intelligent, determined and adventurous scientistAxel LidenbrockA faithful and loyal nephew. He is young and easily scared.Hans BjelkeA 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 easilyscared.Hans Bjelke-A brave Danish guide. He is very quiet but is alwayson hand to save the other two explorers.Gretchen-A young woman who loves Axel.

THEMES

1. Seeking knowledgeProfessor Otto Lidenbrock went on a journey to the center of the earth to seekknowledge.2. The spirit of adventureThe 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 mindThe human mind is forever seeking new knowledge and the mind of ProfessorLidenbrock is a good example of this.5. The wonders of ScienceThere is still so much that we do not know. We have to be brave to discover newwonders of Science.


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VALUES

Some values found in this graphic novel are:

1. When we really want something, we should persevere. Uncle Lidenbrock refused tolisten to Axels excuses on why they should not go on the journey.2. We should not endanger others because of our passion for something. OttoLidenbrock 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 thecenter of the earth.4. We should take the opportunity to discover the wonders of Science. The trio werewilling to go down into the center of the earth to find out more about the earth beneaththeir feet5. It is important to be courageous. It took a lot of courage on their part to go into thecenter of the earth.

the journey to the centre of the earth

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