Primarily set on a ship in the Mediterranean with a small number of passengers, Journey into Fear is a closed-world narrative. While building the requisite tension and suspense, Ambler also keeps the political dimension in the foreground. Finding himself in the psychological equivalent of a death cell, Graham [the protagonist] is forced to reassess his outlook on life and experiences enlightenment. The boat journey becomes a journey of self-discovery, with fear being the necessary stimulus. Graham finds within himself the strength to resist what seems inevitable – his murder. In this way, he personifies Britain’s need to take on the Nazi threat.