Typical themes/plots in the adventure genre

The pure adventure story line…….. A hero (or heroine) taking risks, overcoming danger [and hurdles] to complete a task or a journey (Herald & Wiegand 2006), can take form in a multitude of plots.  No matter the plot it is always the mission that drives the action (Saricks 2009). 

Some common plots/themes by subgenre include the following:

Classic

The protagonist goes on an adventure in search of some treasure, the main focus being on the action in the story. 

·  Common protagonists: Pirates, Treasure hunters, Explorers, Spies, Knights

·  Common settings: Jungles, Deserts, At Sea, Wild Frontiers, Castles

·  Common Themes: Treasure Hunts, Expeditions, Medieval, Warring parties

Spy/espionage

The protagonist is given a mission by an authority and he must go up against obstacles in order to complete his mission and save the day.

·  Common protagonists: Secret agents, Operatives, Law enforcement

·  Common settings: Globe trotting, Cities, War Stricken areas

·  Common Themes: War, Assassination attempts, Undercover operations, Rogue agents

Political intrigue/terrorism

The protagonist is trying to uncover and stop some illegal activity to save a large number of people.

·  Common protagonists: Conspiracy theorists, Law enforcement, Government employees

·  Common settings: Cities, Corporations, Government facilities, War Stricken areas, Military Bases

·  Common Themes: Weapons of Mass Destruction, Undercover (sometimes unsanctioned) operations, Hijackings, Good vs Evil

Survival

The protagonist is in danger and must struggle to survive.  According to Herald & Wiegand the protagonist is usually of the “reluctant variety, thrown into harms way” (2006, p 239).

·  Common protagonists: Lone survivors, Adventurers, Explorers, Students, Extreme sportsmen

·  Common settings: Jungles, Deserts, Space, Underground, Isolated or Exotic locations

·  Common Themes: Trapped, Abandoned, Kidnapped, Lost, Privation

Disaster

The story centers around a disaster of some sort (man-made or natural).  The protagonist must work to stop the disaster or mitigate its effects.

·  Common protagonists: Rescue workers, Law enforcement, Scientists

·  Common settings: Global, Cities, Research Stations

         ·  Common Themes: Earthquakes, Meteors, Flood, Fire, Biological and Nuclear threats

Thrillers

The plots and themes in this subgenre are wide and varied.  The protagonist is usually someone with expertise that saves the day with their knowledge and ingenuity.  The plot in a techno thriller will center on a technology, usually military grade weaponry.  A cipher-thriller will center on solving a puzzle or mystery.  A financial thriller will involve corruption and intricate twists and turns, while a biological thriller will center on the threat of widespread danger. 

·  Common protagonists: Politicians, Scientists & Researchers, Code Breakers, Bankers, Medical Professionals.

·  Common settings: Cities (Ancient and modern), Globe trotting, War Stricken areas

·  Common Themes: Code breaking or ciphers, Financial intrigue, Biological, Technological

Military/Naval

The protagonist (hero status), with a military or technological background, is thrust into defending their country and its assets against evil forces.

·  Common protagonists: Military men, Specialists, Mercenaries, Law enforcement

·  Common settings: War Stricken areas, Sea, Space, Government facilities, Military Bases

         ·  Common Themes: Military conflicts/campaigns, Military technology, Arms races, Science Fiction elements,                    Historical elements

Male Romance

The protagonist is a powerful, self reliant and skilled man who triumphs over evil, in harsh conditions to complete a mission.

·  Common protagonists: Soldiers of fortune, Adventurers, Explorers, Hunters, Survivalists

·  Common settings: Wild Frontiers, Jungles, War Stricken areas

·  Common Themes: Good vs Evil, Man vs Nature, Man defending his territory, Elements of combat, disasters