Explore by theme

survival

A curated path through fragments connected by a shared motif, atmosphere, or recurring literary concern.

Survival Chaos

Jules Verne · A Journey to the Centre of the Earth · Project Gutenberg

2026-04-01
I had a notion, more from intuition than anything else, that he said to me, "We are lost." I took out my notebook, from which under the most desperate circumstances I never parted, and wrote a few words as legibly as I could: "Take in sail." With a deep sigh h...

money and desperation

Jules Verne · Around the World in Eighty Days · Project Gutenberg

2026-03-30
The coal has given out.” “Burn my vessel!” cried Captain Speedy, who could scarcely pronounce the words. “A vessel worth fifty thousand dollars!” “Here are sixty thousand,” replied Phileas Fogg, handing the captain a roll of bank-bills. An American can scarcel...

fire and fear

Mary Shelley · Frankenstein · Project Gutenberg

2026-03-30
The wet wood which I had placed near the heat dried and itself became inflamed. I reflected on this, and by touching the various branches, I discovered the cause and busied myself in collecting a great quantity of wood, that I might dry it and have a plentiful...