man versus nature
Environmental struggle theme
Man versus nature is a narrative conflict in which characters struggle against natural forces—storms, wilderness, animals, disease, or harsh environments.
One of the fundamental plot structures in storytelling, it appears in survival tales, disaster films, and adventure literature: The Old Man and the Sea is a classic man versus nature story.
The phrase also describes real confrontations with the natural world: It was man versus nature as rescuers battled the floodwaters.
- survivalRemaining alive against odds
- life or deathMaximally high stakes
- wildernessUncultivated, uninhabited natural region
- stormSevere atmospheric disturbance
- extreme weatherUnusual, dangerous atmospheric events
into the wild · struggle · against the odds · elements · endurance · shipwreck · avalanche · predator · harsh · tornado · flood · drought · isolation · stranded · frostbite · hurricane · desert · exposure
- CastawaysRobinson Crusoe, castaway, Gilligan, shipwreck, stranded
- story tropesquest, hero's journey, plot twist, chosen one, red herring
- maritimeships, ship, boat, boats, anchors
- themesgood vs evil, theme, love, motif, revenge
man versus naturesocial conflict
Struggle between societal groups
psychological conflict · interpersonal conflict · internal struggle · internal conflict · psychological drama
man versus natureharmony with nature
Alignment with natural world
environmental stewardship · nature worship · ecological balance · biophilia · naturalism
man versus naturecharacter study
Work examining personality
psychological thriller · social drama · domestic drama · romance · family saga
nature, manliness, mankind, unmanned, manned, natural, naturally, unnatural, naturalism