........................................................................................................................................... 7 Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................... 9 Chapter One: Introduction ............................................................................................................. 10 1. Primary Sources ............................................................................................................ 11 2. Context of Primary Source Production ......................................................................... 18 3. An Overview of Secondary Literature and Concepts ................................................... 22 a. Said‘s Orientalism ..................................................................................................... 22 b. The Discourse on Terrorism and Its Implications ..................................................... 27 c. Media Representations of Terrorism ......................................................................... 36 d. The Entertainment Industry and Popular Fiction ...................................................... 44 4. An Overview of Methodology and Chapters ................................................................ 48 Chapter Two: Masculinity and Action-Thriller Archetypal Heroes .............................................. 52 1. Heroic Masculinity and War ........................................................................................ 57 2. Archetypes and Masculinity ......................................................................................... 71 3. The Archetypal Hero in Practice................................................................................... 80 a. An Introduction to the Heroes ................................................................................... 84 b. Courage and Heroism ................................................................................................ 98 c. Honour and Duty ..................................................................................................... 102 d. Loyalty, Patriotism and Reward .............................................................................. 107 e. Individualism and the Institution ............................................................................. 113 f. Justifying Violence and War .................................................................................... 121 g. Female Characters ................................................................................................... 129 4. Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 137