When writing his novels, Jules Verne often found his inspiration in the latest scientific and technological concepts of his time. Prototypes of modern technologies, scientific and sometimes fantastic hypotheses about the structure of the world are reflected in his stories. One of these hypotheses formed the basis of the writer’s novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth”.

In the story, a German professor of geology and passionate researcher comes across a runic manuscript written by an Irish alchemist. The deciphered message says about the existence of a way leading you to the very center of the Earth. The professor does not lose time equipping the expedition, and accompanied by his nephew and a guide starts his journey into the bowels of the Earth through the crater of the volcano. During the descent, researchers carefully record changes in the structure of the earth's crust, temperature fluctuations, and even find an underground source of drinking water. All the data points to the possibility of the existence of “life” beneath the surface. Travelers find confirmation of their guesses when they reach the bottom. Here, deep in the ground, the whole world is hiding all this time. It has its own atmosphere, the light, the ocean and even extraordinary living creatures. The book is based on “The Hollow Earth Theory” which suggests the presence of a habitable space inside the planet. This theory was seriously discussed among scientists and researchers, and even became the reason for many real scientific expeditions. However, in the 20th century it was completely exploded and all the stories about the underworld turned out to be nothing more than science fiction.

It should be noted that “The Hollow Earth Theory” excited strong curiosity in the scientific community although it hasn’t been proven. Jules Verne wasn’t the only author obsessed with the idea of the “underworld”. Many writers and researchers with genuine interest developed the Theory through assumptions and guesses, even if they were not scientifically grounded. The popularity of this concept finds a direct parallel in the modern world. The reason why the professor starts his descent is the same for us who living in the 21st century watch the bottomless night sky. Because the desire to know the unknown always follows the human since the very start. And the greatest reward for this desire is to find someone who shares it. We want to believe.

Иванова Дарья, студентка 4 курса

направления 45.03.02 «Лингвистика», профиль «Иностранный язык и иностранный язык (английский / немецкий)»

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