# The Approach to the Pole explained — The Adventures of Captain Hatteras

> Chapter companion for The Adventures of Captain Hatteras by Jules Verne.

## What happens

As the launch nears the Pole, Hatteras spots what he believes to be land, possibly a volcano, but a sudden storm and a floe covered with bears threaten the crew. Despite the dangers, they press on, driven by obsession and the desire to reach the unknown.

## Themes in this chapter

### Exploration and Discovery

The crew's relentless pursuit of the Pole and the sighting of land highlight the theme of exploration.

### Human Endurance and Survival

The men endure a violent storm, a floe of bears, and near-foundering, yet continue toward their goal.

### Obsession and Madness

Hatteras's dream sequence and the crew's reckless drive into danger reflect an obsessive, almost mad, thirst for the unknown.

## Character check-ins

### John Hatteras

Hatteras is the first to spot land and insists on sailing toward it, even as a storm and bears endanger the launch.

### Dr. Clawbonny

The doctor identifies the distant vapor as a volcano and later explains the luminous phenomenon as a rare atmospheric event.

### Altamont

Altamont questions the presence of a volcano at such a high latitude but eventually accepts the possibility.

### Johnson

Johnson notes the changing wind and helps bail water from the launch during the storm.

### Bell

Bell assists in bailing and cries out in terror at the sight of the bears on the floe.

## Key lines

> Land, ho!

Hatteras shouts that he has spotted land.

_This cry marks the first sighting of the polar land._

> It's a volcano!

The doctor exclaims that the distant vapor is a volcano.

_The doctor identifies the phenomenon as a volcano, referencing Ross's discoveries._

> Malediction! we were not three miles from land!

Hatteras curses as the wind drives the launch away from the land they were so close to.

_Hatteras's frustration at being turned away from the Pole is palpable._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventures_of_captain_hatteras_se/chapters/xxii-the-approach-to-the-pole
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventures_of_captain_hatteras_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_adventures_of_captain_hatteras_se/chapters