Hatchet Questions 9-12
Tier 1
1. Describe how Brian feels about his environment when he views it atop of the rocks. What tells you that
Brian has both positive and negative feelings about the area in which he is living?
Brian feels both irritated and mesmerized when he is viewing the environment on top of the rocks.
Brian clearly has some negative feelings while gazing at the area because on page 106 it states,”
More wood, he thought, moaning inwardly.” That means that Brian is annoyed that he has to chop
even more firewood. On the flip side Brian had positive emotions toward the scene because he was
going on about how pretty it was on page 107, where it states, “It was so incredibly beautiful that it
was almost unreal.” This means that Brian found this area of almost endless trees and scenery. This
matters because Brian went through traumatic events there. In other words Brian almost died there,
and the fact that he is able to find beauty in this place and forgive it just may be the beginning of
him accepting it as his new home.
2. What specific words in this section help the author describe what Brian discovers in the lake?
The simply words that help the author describe what Brian discovers in the lake were roundish,
small, and silver. According to the page 107 it states, “… wiggling silver in the sun.” According to
page 108 it states, “While he stood some of the small, roundish fish came quite close to his legs and
he tensed.” This means that that Brian discovered fish in the lake. This matters because Brian has
now found another food source. Brian no longer has to live on berries, he can now eat something
that more nutritious for him. And that’s important because Brian needs food he can survive on.
3. Brian does not have any fishing gear. What evidence in the text tells you that Brian has hope that he can
catch fish anyway?
Brian still hopes to catch fish even without gear because Brian is figuring out ways to still fish
without actual gear to help him. According to page 108 it states, “He had no hooks or string but if he
could somehow lure them into the shallows-and make a spear, a small fish spear-he might be able
to strike fast enough to get one.” This means that Brian still plans to get food even without the tools
he would normally need. This matters because Brian knows that he has to survive with only the
clothes on his back and a hatchet. Survival means eating food. Survival also means thinking quickly
on your feet. He has nothing but a hatchet and his brain, he needs food, and he doesn’t have tools.
In the book this is one of the first examples of Brian configuring a plan in order to live. Brian knows
that because of his lack of tools survival won’t be easy, and that’s exactly why he needs to turn to
his knowledge in order to keep himself alive.
4. Why is the hatchet so important to the plot? What other titles might Paulsen have used for the book?
Would they be as powerful?
The hatchet is important to the plot because the hatchet is not only a constant reminder of why Brian is
still fighting to survive, it’s the main reason Brian is alive. According to page 8 it states,”’ It goes on your
belt.” His mother spoke now without looking at him. There were some farm trucks on the road now and
she had to weave through them and watch traffic. “The man at the store said you could use it. You
know. In the woods with you father.’” This means that Brian’s only tool is the parting gift from his
mother. This matters because that is an obvious giveaway that there is emotional content connected to
that hatchet. If Brian can remember the events of last Thanksgiving by staring at the lake (page 59) why
shouldn’t he have flashbacks of his family because of the hatchet? Maybe Brian does get memories of
his family while looking at the hatchet, and if he does that explains why he’s working so hard to survive,
because he knows that his mother and father want him home. Whether it’s his mom’s home or his dads,
Brian should look at the hatchet and understand that his parents need him to make it through this. The
hatch not only should symbolize civilization, it symbolizes what he, a thirteen year old boy, needs more
than food when he gets rescued, his loved ones. And not only is it that, but the hatchet the reason Brian
can keep warm in the night and doesn’t freeze to death. Sure Brian could start a fire on his own, but
sustaining that fire only happened because of Brian’s ability to use the hatchet to chop firewood. Nights
would have been a whole lot harder for Brian without the hatchet.
On the flip side some other titles Gary Paulsen could have used for the book are Stranded, Lost, and
Broken. These titles would have not been nearly as powerful as Hatchet is because these titles would
have made the book sound like one of those cookie-cutter survival books. The issue with that is because
it’s not. Hatchet goes so much more in depth on the emotions and the mindset of the character that’s
surviving.
Tier 2
1. Describe how Brian feels about his environment when he views it atop of the rocks. What tells you that
Brian has both positive and negative feelings about the area in which he is living?
Brian feels both irritated and mesmerized when he is viewing the environment on top of the rocks.
Brian clearly has some negative feelings while gazing at the area because on page 106 it states,”
More wood, he thought, moaning inwardly.” That means that Brian is annoyed that he has to chop
even more firewood. On the flip side Brian had positive emotions toward the scene because he was
going on about how pretty it was on page 107, where it states, “It was so incredibly beautiful that it
was almost unreal.” This means that Brian found this area of almost endless trees and scenery. This
matters because Brian went through traumatic events there. In other words Brian almost died there,
and the fact that he is able to find beauty in this place and forgive it just may be the beginning of
him accepting it as his new home.
2.
Why is the hatchet so important to the plot? What other titles might Paulsen have used for the book?
Would they be as powerful?
The hatchet is important to the plot because the hatchet is not only a constant reminder of why Brian is
still fighting to survive, it’s the main reason Brian is alive. According to page 8 it states,”’ It goes on your
belt.” His mother spoke now without looking at him. There were some farm trucks on the road now and
she had to weave through them and watch traffic. “The man at the store said you could use it. You
know. In the woods with you father.’” This means that Brian’s only tool is the parting gift from his
mother. This matters because that is an obvious giveaway that there is emotional content connected to
that hatchet. If Brian can remember the events of last Thanksgiving by staring at the lake (page 59) why
shouldn’t he have flashbacks of his family because of the hatchet? Maybe Brian does get memories of
his family while looking at the hatchet, and if he does that explains why he’s working so hard to survive,
because he knows that his mother and father want him home. Whether it’s his mom’s home or his dads,
Brian should look at the hatchet and understand that his parents need him to make it through this. The
hatch not only should symbolize civilization, it symbolizes what he, a thirteen year old boy, needs more
than food when he gets rescued, his loved ones. And not only is it that, but the hatchet the reason Brian
can keep warm in the night and doesn’t freeze to death. Sure Brian could start a fire on his own, but
sustaining that fire only happened because of Brian’s ability to use the hatchet to chop firewood. Nights
would have been a whole lot harder for Brian without the hatchet.
On the flip side some other titles Gary Paulsen could have used for the book are Stranded, Lost, and
Broken. These titles would have not been nearly as powerful as Hatchet is because these titles would
have made the book sound like one of those cookie-cutter survival books. The issue with that is because
it’s not. Hatchet goes so much more in depth on the emotions and the mindset of the character that’s
surviving.
3. At the end of chapter 12, Brian feels hopeless. Why does he feel like this is a game with nothing left for
him? What would you do next?
At the end of chapter 12, Brian feels like this is a game with nothing left for him because the plane,
his only hope of being rescued, passed right over him. According to pages 116 and 117 they state,
“Look back, he thought. Look back and see the smoke now and turn, please turn. “Look back,” he
whispered, feeling all the pictures fade, seeing his father’s face fade like the sound, like lost
dreams, like an end to hope. Oh, turn now and come back, look back and see the smoke and turn
for me…” on page 118 it states, “He could not play the game without hope; could not play the
game without a dream. They had taken it all away from him now, they had turned away from him
and there was nothing for him now. The plane was gone, his family gone, all of it gone.” This means
that once that plane flew overhead Brian basically thought “I’m never leaving this place, so what’s
the point?” This matters because after this moment in the book Brian goes into a depressed state.
In other words, Brian’s no longer pitying himself because he’s there, he’s pitying himself because
he’s still there. Brian doesn’t want to be there. And not referring to the woods, Brian doesn’t want
to be alive. In the beginning of chapter 13 Brian almost takes his own life because he feels that
there’s nothing to fight for anymore. If Brian was successful, our main protagonist wouldn’t have
been reunited with his family.
4. Describe the benefits Brian gets from the fire.
The fire gives Brian warmth, and smoke to signal with. According to page 96 it states, “The fire cut into
the night coolness and settled him back into sleep, thinking of tomorrow.” According to page 106 it
state, “… or even thought he heard an engine, he would run up with a burning limb and set off the signal
fire.” This means that the fire can be used for multiple things. This matters because the fires many uses
help Brian survive. Not only that but the signal would have gotten Brian rescued if he had been on time.
And if Brian is going to survive certain items need multiple abilities and uses to be helpful in the wild. It
would be such a pain in the position Brian is in to use a fire for warmth but something else to signal the
plane.
Tier 3
1. At the end of chapter 12, Brian feels hopeless. Why does he feel like this is a game with nothing left for
him? What would you do next?
At the end of chapter 12, Brian feels like this is a game with nothing left for him because the plane,
his only hope of being rescued, passed right over him. According to pages 116 and 117 they state,
“Look back, he thought. Look back and see the smoke now and turn, please turn. “Look back,” he
whispered, feeling all the pictures fade, seeing his father’s face fade like the sound, like lost
dreams, like an end to hope. Oh, turn now and come back, look back and see the smoke and turn
for me…” on page 118 it states, “He could not play the game without hope; could not play the
game without a dream. They had taken it all away from him now, they had turned away from him
and there was nothing for him now. The plane was gone, his family gone, all of it gone.” This means
that once that plane flew overhead Brian basically thought “I’m never leaving this place, so what’s
the point?” This matters because after this moment in the book Brian goes into a depressed state.
In other words, Brian’s no longer pitying himself because he’s there, he’s pitying himself because
he’s still there. Brian doesn’t want to be there. And not referring to the woods, Brian doesn’t want
to be alive. In the beginning of chapter 13 Brian almost takes his own life because he feels that
there’s nothing to fight for anymore. If Brian was successful, our main protagonist wouldn’t have
been reunited with his family.
2. Describe the benefits Brian gets from the fire.
The fire gives Brian warmth, and smoke to signal with. According to page 96 it states, “The fire cut into
the night coolness and settled him back into sleep, thinking of tomorrow.” According to page 106 it
state, “… or even thought he heard an engine, he would run up with a burning limb and set off the signal
fire.” This means that the fire can be used for multiple things. This matters because the fires many uses
help Brian survive. Not only that but the signal would have gotten Brian rescued if he had been on time.
And if Brian is going to survive certain items need multiple abilities and uses to be helpful in the wild. It
would be such a pain in the position Brian is in to use a fire for warmth but something else to signal the
plane.
3. What could Brian have done to have a better chance of being seen by a plane?
Brian could have simply been on time with the smoke signal. If Brian was at the camp when the plane
came by he would have been seen and rescued. According to page 115 it states, “He threw down the
limb and his spear and, holding the hatchet, he started to run for camp. He had to get fire up on the
bluff and signal them, get fire and smoke up.” this means Brian was not at the camp when the plane
came, therefore he got to the camp late and the smoke didn’t fill the sky until after the plane left. And
since all this happened all Brian could do afterwards was whisper “look back” to the plane. This matters
because if Brian was ready he would have been rescued. This isn’t necessarily a good thing because if
the plane didn’t pass Brian he would have been depressed, which means he wouldn’t have tried to kill
himself. Which means he wouldn’t have been reborn. Brian became a better person at home because of
his rebirth. Without Brian’s rebirth in real civilization with his friends and family, he would have taken
this entire time there as a traumatic time instead of a learning moment. He would not be stronger than
he was before he left really. If Brian was seen by the plane granted he would have been rescued, but not
reborn and not a changed person.
4. What changes did Brian notice about himself?
Brian notices that he was very skinny and his skin was tan and like leather. He began to actually see
things. He began to hear things differently. According to page 104 it states, “He had never been fat, but
he had been slightly heavy with a little extra weight just above his belt at the sides. This was completely
gone and his stomach had caved in to the hunger and the sun had cooked him past burning so he was
tanning, and with the smoke from the fire his face was starting to look like leather. But perhaps more
than his body was the change in his mind, or in the way he was-was becoming. I am not the same, he
thought. I see differently. He did not know when the change started, but it was there; when a sound
came to him now he didn’t just hear it but would know the sound.” This means that his mind has
evolved to his new surroundings. This matters because this is yet another example of Brian adapting to
this environment. Brian’s mind and body had changed. Brian’s body had changed because of the
merciless tanning going on his skin. But his mind had changed so that when he saw something he saw all
parts of it. His ears changed so that he knew exactly what the sound bothering his ears was before he
even realized that he heard it. Brian could now vividly see this area clearly. He could feel the very
direction the wind had come from that caused the small ripples in the water move. He wasn’t that alert
before, and he couldn’t feel that before.