Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Journey to the Center of the Earth, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Science and Discovery
Maturity and Independence
Intuition vs. Evidence
Nature vs. Civilization
Adventure
Summary
Analysis
Axel and Lidenbrock board a train in Holstein. They have a carriage to themselves, and Lidenbrock looks over the files that will enable the pair to travel freely, including a letter of introduction from a Danish diplomat (a friend of Lidenbrock’s) to the governor of Iceland. They arrive at their destination early, a day before their ship is set to depart. Lidenbrock fumes and rages the entire time, until finally they are allowed to board the ship. They sail through the night to Zealand, a large Danish island, and in the morning they board a second train to get to Copenhagen. The train passes an insane asylum, and Axel notes that even such a large institution would be “too small to contain all the madness of Professor Lidenbrock.”
As Axel and Lidenbrock set off for their journey, the book pays close attention to the logistics of their travel. The narration notes what paperwork they need to cross borders, what locations they pass, and which trains and boats they have to take. These details establish the importance of practicality and logistics during an adventure. Axel’s remark about the insane asylum indicates that he is still reluctant to take this trip, and he believes Lidenbrock is mad for insisting upon it.
Themes
In Copenhagen, Axel and Lidenbrock visit the Museum of Northern Antiquities. Lidenbrock has a letter of introduction to the museum curator, who welcomes the men warmly. They do not reveal the reason behind their journey. The curator finds the men passage on a schooner that leaves in five days. In the meantime, Axel and his uncle explore the city. Axel is delighted by the wonders of Copenhagen, but Lidenbrock pays no attention to the capital’s marvels. Axel misses Gräuben and imagines the fun they could have together in Copenhagen.
Axel and Lidenbrock’s contrasting reactions to Denmark continue to highlight their different worldviews, as Axel takes in the environment at large while Lidenbrock remains focused on his mission. The visit to Copenhagen allows Axel to enjoy and learn about the world beyond Hamburg, establishing the building blocks of his coming-of-age journey.
Themes
Lidenbrock sees a steeple with a tall, winding staircase, and he orders Axel to climb it with him. At the top of the stairs is a narrow and precarious platform. Axel refuses to step onto it, but Lidenbrock calls him a coward and Axel is “compelled to obey” his uncle. The two men walk onto the platform, and Lidenbrock tells Axel to look down, insisting they must practice “abyss lessons.” Despite his vertigo, Axel looks out over the dizzying height for a full hour before Lidenbrock allows him to descend the stairs. They repeat this exercise every day for the next five days.
Axel’s description of being “compelled to obey” his uncle denies himself agency. He depicts disobedience as impossible, rather than simply uncomfortable. The “abyss lessons” also emphasize again the importance of logistics and preparation. The story acknowledges that traveling to the center of the earth could have devastating physical effects, so the characters prepare for those effects the best they can.
Themes
