A man vs nature story typically has a setup where nature poses a significant threat. Develop the character's skills and resources to deal with it. Build climax points where it seems all hope is lost but the character finds a way out through perseverance and ingenuity.
It's basically a conflict where a person or a group of people struggle against the forces of nature. Like in a survival story where someone's trying to outlast a harsh storm or a drought.
Once upon a time, there was a small village near a forest. The villagers often cut down trees for firewood and building houses. One day, a huge storm came. The lack of trees made the village vulnerable. The flood washed away many houses. But the villagers learned their lesson. They started to plant trees again and live in harmony with nature.
Well, many man vs nature stories end with a new understanding or respect for nature. For example, in 'Into the Wild', the main character's death can be seen as a realization of the power of nature. He underestimated it and paid the price. However, his story also makes readers more aware of the might of nature. Some stories end with a harmonious co - existence, where the man has found a way to live within the boundaries of nature rather than trying to conquer it all.
One such story is 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy. It shows a post - apocalyptic world where nature has been severely damaged. The man and his son struggle to survive in a desolate landscape filled with ash and few resources. It's a very pessimistic view as it seems that nature has turned against humanity and there's little hope for a real recovery.
They show our curiosity. In man vs universe stories, humans are often driven to explore the unknown of the universe. This reflects our in - built need to understand what lies beyond our immediate world.
They show our fear. When a man faces a supernatural foe like a ghost or a werewolf, it reflects our natural fear of the unknown. For example, in horror stories, the characters' reactions to the supernatural are often based on our real - life fears.
Well, 'The Call of the Wild' is a great man vs nature story. It shows a dog named Buck adapting to the harsh Arctic environment. Then there's 'Robinson Crusoe'. Crusoe is stranded on an island and has to face all kinds of natural challenges like storms, wild animals, and finding food. Also, 'Lord of the Flies' can be considered in a way. The boys are on an island and have to deal with nature while also dealing with their own human nature.
One of the greatest is the story of Ernest Shackleton's Antarctic expedition. His ship, Endurance, got trapped in ice. Despite the harsh conditions, Shackleton showed remarkable leadership and determination to keep his crew alive. They endured freezing temperatures, food shortages, and the constant threat of the ice. In the end, they all survived through incredible feats of survival and human spirit.
One example of a man vs nature pessimistic outlook story is 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy. In this story, nature has been so severely damaged that the world is a desolate and dangerous place. The characters struggle constantly against the harsh elements, and there seems to be no hope for a real recovery. It shows how nature can turn against humanity when we abuse it too much.
Survival is a very common theme. In these novels, characters often have to fight for their lives against the power of nature, like extreme weather or wild animals. For example, in 'The Call of the Wild', Buck has to adapt to the harsh Arctic environment to survive.