Literary
Term
'Adventure'
Definition of 'Adventure'
As a
literary term, 'Adventure' refers to a narrative that focuses on exciting or
dangerous experiences, often involving physical action and perilous situations.
Adventure stories typically involve a hero or protagonist who embarks on a
journey or quest, encountering obstacles and challenges along the way. These
obstacles may take the form of natural disasters, wild animals, or evil
villains, and the hero must use their wit, courage, and strength to overcome
them.
As a
literary genre, adventure stories are often associated with works of fiction,
such as novels and short stories, but can also appear in other forms of media,
such as films, television shows, and video games. Adventure stories can be
categorized further into various subgenres, such as historical adventure,
science fiction adventure, and fantasy adventure.
Some
of the most famous adventure stories in literature include Jules Verne's
"Around the World in 80 Days," Robert Louis Stevenson's
"Treasure Island," and J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the
Rings." Adventure stories often captivate readers with their fast-paced
action, vivid descriptions of exotic locations, and the thrill of danger and
adventure.
Types of adventure
There
are many types of adventure, and they can be classified in different ways
depending on the context. Here are some common types of adventure:
a.
Outdoor adventure: This includes activities
like hiking, camping, rock climbing, kayaking, and mountain biking. These
adventures take place in natural environments and often involve physical
challenges.
b.
Travel adventure: This type of adventure
involves exploring new places, cultures, and experiences. It may include
backpacking through foreign countries, taking a road trip, or going on a
safari.
c.Historical adventure: These
adventures take place in historical settings and often involve characters or
events from the past. Examples include stories set during the time of pirates,
knights, or ancient civilizations.
d.
Fantasy adventure: This type of adventure
involves fictional worlds, creatures, and magical elements. Examples include
stories set in Middle-earth, Narnia, or Hogwarts.
e.
Science fiction adventure: This type of
adventure involves futuristic or science-based settings, often with advanced
technology or space travel. Examples include stories set in the Star Wars or
Star Trek universes.
f. Survival
adventure: This type of adventure focuses on characters who are trying to
survive in extreme environments, such as deserts, jungles, or post-apocalyptic
worlds.
g.
Mystery adventure: This type of adventure
involves solving a mystery or uncovering a hidden treasure. Examples include
stories like "The Da Vinci Code" or "Indiana Jones."
h.
Sports adventure: This type of adventure
involves extreme sports, such as skydiving, bungee jumping, or base jumping.
These adventures often involve high risk and require special skills and
training.
Elements of Adventure
The
elements of adventure vary depending on the context and type of adventure, but
here are some common elements that are often found in adventure stories:
a.
A protagonist or hero: The main character who
embarks on the adventure and faces challenges and obstacles along the way.
b.
A quest or mission: The reason for the
adventure, which the protagonist must fulfill. This may be a personal goal, a
task assigned by someone else, or a mission to save the world.
c.Obstacles and challenges:
These can take many forms, such as physical challenges, natural disasters, or
villains who try to thwart the protagonist.
d.
Risks and dangers: Adventure stories often
involve high risk and danger, such as life-threatening situations or extreme
environments.
e.
Excitement and suspense: Adventure stories
aim to capture the reader's imagination and keep them engaged with thrilling
action and suspenseful plot twists.
f. Exploration
and discovery: Adventure stories often involve discovering new places,
cultures, or knowledge, which adds to the excitement and sense of discovery.
g.
Character development: Through the challenges
and obstacles faced on the adventure, the protagonist often undergoes personal
growth and development.
h.
Themes: Adventure stories may also explore
themes such as courage, perseverance, loyalty, and the pursuit of knowledge or
truth.
These
elements can be combined and modified to create unique and exciting adventure
stories in different genres and contexts.
Examples of Adventure from literature
There
are many examples of adventure stories in literature, spanning various genres
and time periods. Here are a few classic examples:
a.
"The Odyssey" by Homer: This epic
poem tells the story of Odysseus and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan
War. The story is filled with adventure, including battles with mythical
creatures, encounters with gods and goddesses, and a voyage across the seas.
b.
"Robinson Crusoe" by Daniel Defoe:
This novel tells the story of a shipwrecked sailor who spends 28 years on a
deserted island, surviving through his resourcefulness and resilience. The
novel is a classic example of a survival adventure story.
c."Treasure Island"
by Robert Louis Stevenson: This novel tells the story of a young boy, Jim
Hawkins, who sets out to find treasure on a mysterious island. Along the way,
he encounters pirates, battles, and treachery.
d.
"Around the World in Eighty Days"
by Jules Verne: This novel follows the journey of Phileas Fogg, a wealthy
Englishman, who attempts to travel around the world in 80 days to win a bet.
The story takes the reader through various exotic locations and adventures.
e.
"The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien:
This fantasy adventure novel tells the story of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who
sets out on a quest to reclaim treasure from a dragon. Along the way, he
encounters trolls, goblins, and other creatures from Middle-earth.
f. "The
Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain: This classic American novel tells
the story of a young boy, Tom Sawyer, and his adventures along the Mississippi
River. The story includes elements of mystery, danger, and mischief.
These
are just a few examples of the many adventure stories in literature, each with
its own unique setting, characters, and themes.
Why writers choose ‘adventure’ in their writings
Writers
choose adventure as a genre for several reasons. Here are some of the most
common reasons why writers may choose to write adventure stories:
a.
Excitement and entertainment: Adventure
stories are often filled with action, suspense, and danger, which can be
exciting and entertaining for readers. Writers may choose to write adventure
stories to capture their readers' imaginations and provide them with a
thrilling reading experience.
b.
Exploration and discovery: Adventure stories
often involve exploring new places, cultures, and experiences, which can be
fascinating and educational for readers. Writers may choose to write adventure
stories to inspire readers to explore the world around them and learn new
things.
c.Character development:
Adventure stories often involve characters who face challenges and obstacles,
which can lead to personal growth and development. Writers may choose to write
adventure stories to explore the human condition and show how characters can
overcome adversity and grow stronger as a result.
d.
Themes: Adventure stories can explore various
themes, such as courage, perseverance, loyalty, and the pursuit of knowledge or
truth. Writers may choose to write adventure stories to explore these themes
and convey important messages to their readers.
e.
Escape: Adventure stories can provide a means
of escape from everyday life and allow readers to imagine themselves in
exciting and thrilling situations. Writers may choose to write adventure
stories to provide their readers with a temporary escape from reality and a
chance to experience something new and exciting.
Overall,
writers may choose adventure as a genre for its entertainment value,
educational value, and ability to explore important themes and ideas.
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