Adventure Fiction

Paper Summary:

This paper argues that the attraction and the limitations of the genre of adventure fiction are that these books do not want to be "read", they want to be enjoyed. The author points out that it might appear over-simplistic to dismiss "Treasure Island", "The Lost World" and "The Island of Doctor Moreau" as pure fantasy or "escapist" fiction because these novels also serve an important political purpose. The paper states that it is important to remember that, at the end of the nineteenth century, the proportion of boys who could read far outnumbered the girl readers, which suggests that adventure fiction was written to appeal to those youngsters for whom travel and exploration in foreign lands was a source of wonder and excitement. The author concludes that reading, enjoyment and academic analysis then are concerns that are very much questions of relevance and context.

From the Paper:

"These authors were certainly influenced by the social and political issues that were occurring in the second half of the nineteenth century and it necessary for us to consider what was going on before we consider the matter of academic analysis. Darwin's theories had unsettled the social order and the success of these novels, it could be argued, was due in some part to the way in which their authors attempted to reinforce the stereotypical values held before "Origin of Species" was brought to the forefront of public attention. Feminist issues too were becoming apparent but women were generally silent in these texts."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Apps, Howard L. (1963) Chalky. London: Peal Press.
• Conan Doyle, Arthur. (1955) The Lost World. London: Pan.
• Green, Martin. (1979) Dreams Of Empire, Deeds Of Empire. New York: Basic Books.
• Jeffries, Richard. (1980) After London. Oxford University Press.
• Orwell, George. (1980) Collected Essays And Journalism. London: Martin, Secker and Warburg.

More papers on Adventure Fiction:

• Essay # 70553 : "Science Fiction Television Series"
• Term Paper # 7814 : "Science Fiction"
• Analytical Essay # 28980 : "Journey and Adventure"

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