The most obvious theme in Adam of the Road is that of hope, perseverance, and determination in the face of adversity. Adam faces numerous troubles on his journey. Instead of succumbing to the difficulties around him, he consistently chooses to overcome the challenges. Adam’s main goal throughout the book is to be with his dog, Nick, and his father, Roger. Though circumstances separate the three characters in Chapters 10 and 11, and Adam is faced with many obstacles, he never wavers from his goal. His diligence is rewarded in the end.

Adam’s hope, perseverance, and determination are evident in his approach to recovering Nick. When Jankin steals the dog in Chapter 10, Adam immediately sets off to recover his pet (126). Though he is exhausted by the 12-mile trek he made to Guildford, when Adam glimpses Jankin and Nick in an alleyway, he perseveres through his exhaustion and runs after them: “So Adam pushed his way along the path by the river, seeing nothing, thinking of nothing but Jankin and the little dog ahead. Even after Jankin gained on him and got out of sight entirely, Adam plodded on” (144). Adam even swims across the River Wey because he is so determined to recover Nick (144).