Journey to the Center of the Earth: Chapter 32 Summary & Analysis

The morning of August 13th, the men embark across the sea. As they leave the grotto behind, Lidenbrock wants to give it a name. Axel suggests Port Gräuben, and Lidenbrock accepts this. Wind blows across the sea, allowing the men to keep a steady and rapid pace. They pass massive algae growths, which Axel finds incredible. The following day, Hans tries fishing, and after two hours, he catches a fish. Axel believes it to be a sturgeon, but Lidenbrock disagrees and points out features that identify it as a species that has been extinct for centuries. Hans catches more ancient fish, some of which even Lidenbrock can’t identify.

Axel wonders if the presence of ancient species below the earth means that they will encounter dinosaurs. He imagines all the creatures that might live in the underground tunnels, losing himself in the “fossil world” of his imagination. He envisions the various epochs of the earth, and his imagination becomes hallucination, almost prompting him to walk off the raft. Hans pulls him back, and Axel regains his senses. He assures Lidenbrock and Hans that he is alright. Lidenbrock calculates that they will soon reach land, but Axel sees no sign of land.