Finding the True Self in a Person

Is it always important to go deeper in life to see what lies behind closed doors without knowing the results? Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne is a novel which focuses on this very topic and literally plunges the reader into the center of the earth through vivid description, detailed explanations, and the accounts of the narrator. On the most basic level, Journey to the Center of the Earth is an adventure story, a tale of the obstacles, encounters, and wonders of the world. The unconventional scientist Professor Hardwigg finds directions to the center of the earth in an old book and sets out, along with his nephew Henry and the guide Hans, to Iceland where they find the mountain and the shaft that allows them access to the depths of the earth. The novel can be seen as man's journey into himself, always probing deeper for what lies at the center of his curiosity, despite the possible negative consequences.

After decoding a scrap of paper he found in an old book, Professor Hardwigg decides to undertake the Journey to the Center of the Earth that the paper says is possible. Brushing aside the concerns of his nephew Harry about the temperature of the earth's interior, the Professor insists that Harry accompany him on the journey. To convince Harry, the Professor says, “Don’t be alarmed at the heat, my boy. All modern experiments tend to explode the older theories. Were any such heat to exist, the upper crest of the earth would be shattered to atoms, and the world would be at an end” (Verne 28). Harry gives in and gathers supplies, and the pair departs two days later for Mt. Sneffels in Iceland, the point through which they can gain access to the core of the earth. He concludes in saying, “Neither you nor anybody else...

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...on at a time, so no one will be so stressed to learn all the information in one night.”This viable information will help with retaining the information more pricesly when the test comes around. Clearly using all of the available advice and on contemplating alternative scenarios will help any being, even the Professor, make wise decisions.

Works Cited

Verne, Jules. "Chapter 4: We Start on the Journey." A Journey to the Center of the Earth. New York: Signet Classic, 1986. 26+. Print.

Verne, Jules. "Chapter 18: The Wrong Road!" A Journey to the Center of the Earth. New York: Signet Classic, 1986. 114+. Print.

Verne, Jules. "Chapter 23: Alone." A Journey to the Center of the Earth. New York: Signet Classic, 1986. 140+. Print.

Verne, Jules. "Chapter 28: Launching the Raft." A Journey to the Center of the Earth. New York: Signet Classic, 1986. 169+. Print.