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An adventure novel is a genre of novels that contains hazardous action with an uncertain outcome. Excitement while undertaking risk and physical danger is the main theme in an adventure novel. In his novel, Cue for Treason, Geoffrey Trease, presents the reader with a well written adventure story. In his novel, Trease uses elements or characteristics of adventure which include events outside the protagonists ordinary life, danger that occurs on a regular basis, and lots of physical action. There are three reasons why Treases novel is a good example of a well written adventure story. An example of one of these elements is that there are events that occur outside the protagonist's ordinary life. Another characteristic found in an adventure novel is events are accompanied by either high risk or danger. You will also find physical action accompanied by lots of movement and quick thinking.

The first main characteristic found in Cue for Treason is that the events in this novel occur outside the course of the protagonist's ordinary life. This proves to be true because Peter Brownrigg our protagonist says himself on page 55, ...for I had never traveled so far away from home. This proves that Peter is young and inexperienced, and has plenty of room for improvement. After all the traveling that Peter does throughout the course of the novel, we come to realize that he has never experienced the adventurous situations he is put in. Throughout the novel Peter travels to towns and destinations that he has never visited. Further he has been such a long distance away from his home in Cumberland. Another example is that Peter has never been a part of a play, or acted on stage before. (60) Finally, Peter had to leave Cumberland on his own to fend for himself; therefore he has to learn to be more independent, which is something that is not part of his ordinary life style.

Having to encounter new paths also might come with the element of facing danger. Trease gives many events that are frequently accompanied by high risk or danger. During the course of the novel, Peter is always encountering danger. Peter is constantly being chased by Sir Philip who has nothing but bad plans for Peter when he catches him. This pursuit leads Peter into danger multiple times during

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the novel. For example after being chased out of his own home by Sir Philip and his men, Peter and Kit find themselves having to fend for themselves while hiding from Sir Philip. By doing this, Trease creates constant suspense. Throughout the novel the reader is always wondering what will Sir Phillips' next move be, and how Peter will adjust and react to the situation? This relates to adventure because there is danger to Peter if Sir Philip catches him, and there is high risk if Peter does not get to London before Sir Phillip and the conspirators plan succeeds. Another example of encountering danger is that Peter was held captive on an island. After a chase that takes a whole chapter to cover Peter still manages to escape; this event represents the fact that Peter puts himself in many dangerous situations, but always somehow gets him out, with help of course. For example in Ch.13, Peter is risking secretly breaking into the Yellow Gentleman's house to retrieve the script he foolishly gave away, while Kit was acting as a distraction to draw the men out of the room. If they were caught, an accurate assumption is that they would be in serious trouble with the law, and Sir Phillip would most likely find them. Finally on page 23, Peter was shot at with a pistol, and the bullet whizzed through his hair, knocking off his cap. This event in the novel also relates to physical action because of the quick movement Peter has to do, and the intensity thats given with the gun shot.

The third and final main characteristic of this adventure is that this novel contains lots of physical action, with quick thinking. The most action and movement in the novel occurs during Peters escape from the island. In Chapter 18, Peter is held captive on an island. He manages to escape but not without Sir Philips men giving a grueling and intense chase. The following day, Kit discovers whose team Mr. Armthwaite is really on. Kit and Peter take the magistrates horses and ride off on their solo journey back to London. This is a key part to the novel because that easily could have been the end of the road for Peter and Kit, but the quick thinking of Kit gets them out of the situation. Kits quick thinking one could argue is so good because shes a girl, which fooled everyone during the whole novel. One of the most intense and suspenseful moments with physical action in the novel occurs when Kit

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and Peter arrive at the last moment to prevent the death of Queen Elizabeth and chaos in London, and in the whole country of England. (276) No one knew that the most important cue of all had never been taken, Peter tells the reader. (276). All this action and movement tells the reader that Trease does a good job on keeping the reader attached to the novel and wanting to read on.

In his novel Cue for Treason, Geoffrey Trease, presents the reader with a well written adventure story. Trease employs all the elements of an adventure novel. These elements include: the story contains many events that happen outside of the protagonists ordinary life, the story is always accompanied by risk and danger, and finally there is lots of physical action with plenty of quick thinking and movement to keep the reader entertained. If ever in thirst for an exciting adventure novel, Cue for Treason by Geoffrey Treason is a great selection.

An Examination of Adventure in Cue for Treason

Cole Haggar ENG1D Monday April 2nd, 2012 Mr. Rostek

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Works Cited

Trease, Geoffrey. Cue for Treason. Toronto; Copp Clack Pitman Ltd, N.D. Print