# Axel Liedenbrock — Journey to the Center of the Earth character guide

> Axel Liedenbrock in Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Monsieur Axel, wretched Axel, me, I

**First appearance:** 0000-i-the-professor-and-his-family

## Who they are

A reluctant young narrator torn between his uncle's volcanic ambition and his own terror, Axel records every wonder and dread of the descent into the Earth.

## In the story

### [The Professor and His Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/i-the-professor-and-his-family)

The narrator and nephew of Professor Liedenbrock, who serves as his laboratory assistant and shares his love for geology.

### [A Mystery to Be Solved at Any Price](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/ii-a-mystery-to-be-solved-at-any-price)

The narrator and nephew, who feigns interest in his uncle's discoveries and eats dinner alone when the Professor skips the meal.

### [III: The Runic Writing Exercises the Professor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/iii-the-runic-writing-exercises-the-professor)

Writes the dictated letters, reflects on his love for Gräuben, and assists in the decoding experiment.

### [The Enemy to Be Starved Into Submission](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/iv-the-enemy-to-be-starved-into-submission)

Axel decodes the cryptogram and is terrified by its implications, deciding to hide the secret from his uncle.

### [Famine, Then Victory, Followed by Dismay](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/v-famine-then-victory-followed-by-dismay)

Axel decodes the cryptogram and reveals it to his uncle, but later regrets his involvement and resolves to keep silent to prevent the expedition.

### [Exciting Discussions About an Unparalleled Enterprise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/vi-exciting-discussions-about-an-unparalleled-enterprise)

Axel is initially terrified and skeptical, raising scientific and practical objections to the journey, but gradually becomes caught up in his uncle's fervor.

### [VII: A Woman’s Courage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/vii-a-woman-s-courage)

Axel is in a fever of doubt and terror after the Professor's announcement, but Gräuben's courage and encouragement begin to sway him. He ultimately resigns himself to the journey.

### [VIII: Serious Preparations for Vertical Descent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/viii-serious-preparations-for-vertical-descent)

Reluctant traveler, suffers from dizziness and dreads the journey; forced by his uncle to climb the church spire as a lesson in abysses.

### [IX: Iceland! But What Next?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/ix-iceland-but-what-next)

Narrates the voyage and arrival; explores Reykjavík and reflects on the landscape and people.

### [X: Interesting Conversations with Icelandic Savants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/x-interesting-conversations-with-icelandic-savants)

Observes the dinner conversation and his uncle's attempts to hide excitement; understands the Latin exchange.

### [XI: A Guide Found to the Centre of the Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xi-a-guide-found-to-the-centre-of-the-earth)

Narrator; wakes to find his uncle hiring Hans; helps with preparations and feels sympathy for M. Fridrikssen.

### [A Barren Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xii-a-barren-land)

Axel narrates the journey, feeling initial pleasure and freedom, and rationalizes the expedition's risks.

### [XIII: Hospitality Under the Arctic Circle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xiii-hospitality-under-the-arctic-circle)

Describes the hospitality of the Icelandic peasant family, his fatigue during the journey, and his melancholy at the savage landscape.

### [But Arctics Can Be Inhospitable, Too](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xiv-but-arctics-can-be-inhospitable-too)

Axel is fearful of a volcanic eruption and debates whether to voice his concerns to his uncle. He is anxious but ultimately obedient, and he observes the landscape with a mix of wonder and dread.

### [XV: Snæfells at Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xv-sn-fells-at-last)

Observes geological features, struggles with fatigue and cold, and reflects on the impossibility of reaching the Earth's center.

### [XVI: Boldly Down the Crater](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xvi-boldly-down-the-crater)

Describes the sublime view from the summit, experiences fear and awe, and reluctantly follows the descent into the crater.

### [Vertical Descent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xvii-vertical-descent)

Experiences intense fear and vertigo before descending; shamed by Hans's calmness; reluctantly proceeds with the descent.

### [XVIII: The Wonders of Terrestrial Depths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xviii-the-wonders-of-terrestrial-depths)

Axel records observations, expresses awe at the underground scenery, and worries about the limited water supply.

### [XIX: Geological Studies In Situ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xix-geological-studies-in-situ)

Axel observes the geological changes, worries about the rising incline and water shortage, and longs to see Gräuben again.

### [The First Signs of Distress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xx-the-first-signs-of-distress)

Axel is the narrator, experiencing thirst and despair, reflecting on geological wonders, and questioning their survival.

### [Compassion Fuses the Professor’s Heart](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxi-compassion-fuses-the-professor-s-heart)

Axel is near death from thirst and exhaustion, but is revived by the Professor's last sip of water. He argues passionately for retreat, but ultimately agrees to one more day of exploration.

### [XXII: Total Failure of Water](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxii-total-failure-of-water)

Axel suffers horribly from thirst and exhaustion, collapses, and falls into despair, believing the expedition is doomed.

### [XXIII: Water Discovered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxiii-water-discovered)

Axel is delirious with thirst but revives after drinking; he suggests filling flasks and later agrees to follow the stream as a guide.

### [XXIV: Well Said, Old Mole! Canst Thou Work i’ the Ground So Fast?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxiv-well-said-old-mole-canst-thou-work-i-the-ground-so-fast)

Axel's spirits revive; he feels stronger and embraces the journey, even imagining mythological guides. He expresses astonishment at being under the ocean but gradually accepts the idea.

### [De Profundis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxv-de-profundis)

Awakens relieved, grows accustomed to subterranean life, questions the Professor's calculations and the feasibility of reaching the center, but ultimately defers to his uncle's authority.

### [XXVI: The Worst Peril of All](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxvi-the-worst-peril-of-all)

Axel narrates the chapter, describing his growing confidence and subsequent terror when he becomes separated from his companions and loses the guiding stream.

### [XXVII: Lost in the Bowels of the Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxvii-lost-in-the-bowels-of-the-earth)

Axel is lost, terrified, and alone in the underground tunnels. He experiences profound despair, prays for divine help, and eventually loses consciousness after a frantic, blind flight through the darkness.

### [The Rescue in the Whispering Gallery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxviii-the-rescue-in-the-whispering-gallery)

Alone and injured after a fall, Axel uses the acoustic properties of the gallery to communicate with his uncle and guide, then attempts a desperate descent.

### [XXIX: Thalatta! Thalatta!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxix-thalatta-thalatta)

Awakens from his fall, weak but recovering, and expresses astonishment at the underground sea.

### [XXX: A New Mare Internum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxx-a-new-mare-internum)

Axel is the awestruck narrator, recovering from his ordeal and marveling at the subterranean sea and its strange features.

### [XXXI: Preparations for a Voyage of Discovery](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxi-preparations-for-a-voyage-of-discovery)

Axel awakens feeling well, takes a bath in the sea, and engages in scientific discussion with his uncle. He expresses wonder at the tides and questions their plans, but ultimately accepts the Professor's determination to continue.

### [XXXII: Wonders of the Deep](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxii-wonders-of-the-deep)

Axel records the voyage log, experiences a hallucination of prehistoric epochs, and is saved from falling overboard by Hans.

### [XXXIII: A Battle of Monsters](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxiii-a-battle-of-monsters)

Records the events in his log, expresses fear and awe at the prehistoric monsters, and prepares to fire his rifle.

### [XXXIV: The Great Geyser](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxiv-the-great-geyser)

Axel records the journey, fears a cataract or monster, mutinies against the Professor, and later measures the geyser's temperature.

### [XXXV: An Electric Storm](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxv-an-electric-storm)

Axel narrates the storm, describes his terror, and attempts to convince his uncle to lower the sail.

### [XXXVI: Calm Philosophic Discussions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxvi-calm-philosophic-discussions)

Recovers from the storm, reflects on being separated from Hamburg and Gräuben, and questions the return journey.

### [XXXVII: The Liedenbrock Museum of Geology](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxvii-the-liedenbrock-museum-of-geology)

Attempts to reason with his uncle about the impossibility of another sea voyage, but ultimately resigns to follow.

### [The Professor in His Chair Again](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxviii-the-professor-in-his-chair-again)

Observes the discovery and his uncle's lecture, noting his own awe and the Professor's eccentricities.

### [XXXIX: Forest Scenery Illuminated by Electricity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xxxix-forest-scenery-illuminated-by-electricity)

Narrates the journey through the electric forest, expresses fear and disbelief at the mastodons and giant figure, and discovers the dagger and Saknussemm's initials.

### [Preparations for Blasting a Passage to the Centre of the Earth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xl-preparations-for-blasting-a-passage-to-the-centre-of-the-earth)

Axel is awestruck by Saknussemm's initials, then becomes zealously enthusiastic, proposing to burn the raft and later to blast the rock. He forgets all surface concerns, including Gräuben.

### [XLI: The Great Explosion and the Rush Down Below](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xli-the-great-explosion-and-the-rush-down-below)

Axel lights the fuse and recounts the terror of the explosion and the subsequent headlong rush, noting the loss of supplies and his decision to hide the full extent of their plight from his uncle.

### [XLII: Headlong Speed Upward Through the Horrors of Darkness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xlii-headlong-speed-upward-through-the-horrors-of-darkness)

Axel is terrified and despairing, feeling the heat and fearing they will be burned alive. He thinks of Gräuben and home, and questions whether there is any chance of survival.

### [XLIII: Shot Out of a Volcano at Last!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xliii-shot-out-of-a-volcano-at-last)

Axel is terrified and convinced they are doomed, but he eventually recognizes his uncle's logic; he suffers from heat, shock, and near-loss of consciousness.

### [Sunny Lands in the Blue Mediterranean](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xliv-sunny-lands-in-the-blue-mediterranean)

Wakes up disoriented after the eruption, marvels at the Mediterranean landscape, and debates the compass mystery with his uncle.

### [All's Well That Ends Well](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/chapters/xlv-all-s-well-that-ends-well)

Returns home, marries Gräuben, and later discovers the compass mystery.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/characters/narrator_axel
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/journey_to_the_center_of_the_earth_se/characters