For all my irritation with Axel for his constant naysaying and gloomy outlook, I'm not without some sympathy for the fellow. As I mentioned previously, he's definitely intelligent: he was just never cut out to be a rugged outdoorsman or adventurer. He's always stumbling after his much older- and much more energetic- uncle, tired and worried. It's Axel who collapses, insensate, from thirst. It's Axel who manages to get himself turned around and lost in the tunnels... which, by the way, is a rather horrifying thought: being lost and alone in a maze far below the earth, wandering in the dark until you die. Or, fortunately for Axel, until he is located. Also, as they get further and further beneath the surface, we do see Axel becoming more invested in the expedition, able to be awed and amazed by some of the wonders that they are seeing.
In this section of the novel, Professor Lidenbrock and Axel make their way to Iceland- or, more accurately, Lidenbrock drags Axel there- and they hire the third member of their expedition, Hans. If Lidenbrock is the obsessed scientist and Axel the reluctant apprentice, then Hans is the professional workman. He never questions why they're going where they are, or protests the danger: he just expertly gets them where they need to go and takes part in the exploration of the subterranean passageways. Axel- the narrator- never mentions Hans voicing any complaints about the hardships and hazards (unlike Axel himself). He also doesn't record Hans being awestruck by any of the wonders they see... what he does mention is Hans drawing his pay on a regular basis, even when they're far under the surface of the earth. Strong, competent and stoic, Hans is integral to the expedition, saves their lives on at least one occasion- and unhesitatingly risks his own. He gets the job done and expects to be well paid for it. Meanwhile, Professor Otto Lidenbrock continues to be driven, brusque and frequently insensitive to the concerns and feelings of others (mostly Axel) in his zeal to reach the center of the earth. There are, however, occasional chinks in his armour of indifference; Lidenbrock is kind- almost fatherly- when he revives a dehydrated Axel from his faint with a drink of water. He also evinces great relief when he and Hans manage to find Axel when he gets lost in the tunnels. It seems that under all his crustiness, Lidenbrock has an affection for the poor schlub. For all my irritation with Axel for his constant naysaying and gloomy outlook, I'm not without some sympathy for the fellow. As I mentioned previously, he's definitely intelligent: he was just never cut out to be a rugged outdoorsman or adventurer. He's always stumbling after his much older- and much more energetic- uncle, tired and worried. It's Axel who collapses, insensate, from thirst. It's Axel who manages to get himself turned around and lost in the tunnels... which, by the way, is a rather horrifying thought: being lost and alone in a maze far below the earth, wandering in the dark until you die. Or, fortunately for Axel, until he is located. Also, as they get further and further beneath the surface, we do see Axel becoming more invested in the expedition, able to be awed and amazed by some of the wonders that they are seeing. And there are certainly a lot of wonders to be seen, especially when the three men leave the tunnel and enter the giant sized cavern with it's huge mushroom forest and seemingly limitless sea. As they build a raft and set sail into the unknown, it seems likely that the men will see many more incredible things and experience many more exciting- and potentially deadly- adventures.
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