Previous
Chapter 20
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
The journey back to the crossroads takes five days, and the water runs out at the end of the first day. Lidenbrock stews with anger at himself “for yielding to weakness,” while Hans is resigned and Axel complains for most of the way. After five days, they reach the crossroads, and Axel collapses from dehydration. Lidenbrock takes Axel in his arms and tearfully murmurs, “Poor child.” The moment of tenderness from his uncle startles Axel. Lidenbrock feeds Axel a sip of water, explaining that he saved this final sip to revitalize Axel when they arrive at the crossroads.
Now that Lidenbrock is no longer trying to preserve his pride, he recognizes how his actions endangered the group. He views his stubbornness as a “weakness,” and he tries to atone for this by saving Axel his last drop of water. This gesture, along with Lidenbrock’s uncharacteristically gentle words to his nephew, demonstrates how deeply Lidenbrock cares for Axel. The importance of water also highlights the importance of logistics when traveling.
Themes
The water allows Axel to speak. He tells Lidenbrock that they must go back and climb out of the crater. Lidenbrock, disappointed, says the water has not restored Axel’s courage. When Axel insists that they must leave or die, Lidenbrock tells his nephew to leave with Hans and leave him to finish the journey. Axel is torn between his unwillingness to abandon Lidenbrock and his own desire to survive. Hans watches the two men, and Axel wishes that he spoke Hans’s language so he might persuade Hans to take his side. Axel tries to bring Hans toward the exit, but Hans insists that Lidenbrock is his master.
Hans is not openly emotional, but he is unfailingly loyal. He has committed to guiding Lidenbrock to the center of the earth, and he will do so, despite the risks. Axel tries to get his traveling companions to understand that surviving is more important than succeeding, but Lidenbrock believes they should pursue scientific discovery without fear of death. This is another instance in which Lidenbrock’s single-minded passion for science clashes with Axel’s less extreme, more cautious perspective.
Themes
Lidenbrock suggests that the group should take the western tunnel in search of water. He has studied the formation of the passage and is confident it leads to the center of the earth. He describes himself has “the Columbus of these subterranean regions” and asks Axel to trust him for one more day. He promises to return to the surface if they do not find water by the end of the day. Axel agrees.
Lidenbrock has learned from the mistake he made at this fork last time. As he chooses the group’s path, he carefully studies the rock formation for evidence that it will take them where they want to go. His description of himself as “Columbus,” in reference to famous explorer Christopher Columbus, speaks to Lidenbrock’s desire for glory. He wants to discover scientific breakthroughs for their own sake, but he also wants to be recognized for them. Still, Lidenbrock accepts that the journey is dangerous, so he promises Axel they will only keep going if they find water.
Themes
