Iceland

Iceland is an island nation in the North Atlantic. It is where Axel and Otto travel to in order to find the underground world written about by native Icelandic scholar Arne Saknusssemm. Iceland is the home of Hans and Fridrikson. It is governed by Trampe. It is a nation of ruggedly-independent people, who value education and pride themselves on hard work. Many of Iceland’s customs and laws are related throughout the early part of the novel, through the eyes of Axel. For example, Axel learns that Iceland’s desire to end leprosy has led to laws banning people with leprosy to marry and have children.

Subterranean World

The subterranean world exists far beneath the earth’s surface. It is based on a popular scientific theory of the day which contended that primitive, less-evolved creatures could be found in both the deepest recesses of the ocean and the...