Hatchet Characters
The main character in Hatchet is Brian Robeson. Brian is the only active character for the majority of the novel.
- Brian Robeson is the protagonist of Hatchet. His parents have recently divorced, and Brian struggles to manage his anger and frustration. These feelings are exacerbated by the fact that Brian has been concealing his mother's extramarital affair. Over the course of the novel, Brian evolves from a young, almost helpless teenager into a capable and resourceful young man. His time in the wilderness irreparably changes him, and he emerges a stronger person with a deeper connection to nature.
Brian
Brian is the sole active character throughout the story. Two pilots make brief appearances—one whose demise leaves Brian stranded and another who rescues him—at the beginning and end of the novel. Brian's parents are frequently mentioned but only appear through his memories.
At the novel's outset, Brian is a typical teenager. He is average in both physical and intellectual aspects. His understanding of life comes from school, playing with friends, watching TV, going to movies, reading magazines, and listening to his parents. He is also typical in that his parents are divorced, like many couples in the 1980s and 1990s. The one unique aspect of Brian is his knowledge of the Secret—his awareness of his mother's lover, whom he saw her kiss in a car at the mall.
Despite this, Brian demonstrates remarkable resilience in the wilderness. Bearing the Secret has made him unexpectedly self-reliant. He recalls bits of information from books, TV shows, and games about finding food, building shelter, and understanding animal behavior. These serve as his reference guides for navigating his current situation. He invents new methods for routine tasks like telling time and marking days. He remembers advice and motivational slogans from his parents and teachers: "You are the best asset you have." Although Brian's situation seems insurmountable—being alone, without supplies except for a hatchet, lost in an area where rescuers are unlikely to search, and inexperienced in outdoor survival—he has one key advantage: his ability to observe and learn.
Learning through experience is challenging but is Nature's way of teaching. It sometimes involves suffering, such as when Brian becomes ill after eating too many gut cherries. It also involves understanding small details, like discovering how to start a fire when the hatchet sparks against a rock. Additionally, it requires recognizing clues, such as following birds to a raspberry patch. Learning also means seizing opportunities, even unpleasant ones; Brian forces himself to enter the confined space of the sunken plane to retrieve the survival kit. Modern urban life often separates thought from sensation, but wilderness survival demands their integration. Brian realizes that "so much of all living was patience and thinking."
The hatchet symbolizes this reality. Literally, it is the tool that enables his survival; in Brian's hands, it cuts, carves, pounds, and creates sparks. Psychologically, it represents a connection to his mother. She gave him the hatchet just before he left, as an unspoken token compensating for the pain of the divorce. She gave it with love and as an acknowledgment of Brian's maturity. It is a gift for a man, not a boy. Symbolically, the hatchet embodies the painful strength of the Secret. The harsh realities of adulthood can be painful, but learning to endure them builds the strength to withstand even greater challenges.
Expert Q&A
What aspect of his parents' divorce still troubled Brian in "Hatchet"?
Brian is troubled by his parents' divorce primarily because of his mother's infidelity, which he refers to as "The Secret." This knowledge consumes his thoughts and creates tension between him and his mother. Additionally, he is upset by the disingenuous legal process and the disruption of his stable life, leading to feelings of bitterness and confusion.
Why is Brian visiting his father in Canada and what are his feelings towards his mother?
Brian is visiting his father in Canada due to his parents' recent divorce, spending summers with his father as per custody arrangements. He is troubled by his mother's affair, which led to the divorce, and feels burdened by "the Secret" since his father is unaware of it. Despite his resentment, Brian still loves both parents and wishes for their reconciliation. The visit to his father initiates the events of the novel, including the plane crash in the wilderness.
Why does Brian's mother give him a hatchet and what are his feelings about it?
Brian's mother gives him a hatchet for his camping trip with his father, believing it will be useful in the Canadian wilderness. Initially, Brian thinks it looks "hokey" and only wears it to please his mother. However, after the plane crash, his feelings change as the hatchet becomes essential for his survival, helping him build shelter, make fire, and fend off animals.
What memory does Brian have after dreaming about his father and Terry?
Brian dreams of his father trying to convey a message starting with "m," which he cannot fully understand. In another dream, his friend Terry shows him how to start a fire using charcoal and lighter fluid. Terry's focus on the fire becomes crucial, as it later helps Brian realize he can create sparks with his hatchet to make fire. These dreams underscore Brian's awakening to the necessity of self-reliance for survival.
In Hatchet, how does Brian track his days in the Canadian wilderness?
Brian tracks his days in the Canadian wilderness by making marks on a stone near his shelter each day. This method helps him keep a sense of time, although he eventually realizes that events, rather than the passing days, are more significant. Milestones like "First Meat," "First Arrow Day," and "First Rabbit Day" mark his progress in survival skills, such as hunting birds and rabbits and fishing, which significantly improve his diet and health.
Why did Brian improve his shelter and food protection in Hatchet?
Brian improves his shelter and food protection after a skunk invades his camp and sprays him, highlighting the need for better defenses. Realizing the importance of safeguarding his food supply to avoid starvation, Brian constructs a sturdier shelter with tightly woven branches and creates a secure food pantry. He also builds a fish trap to efficiently catch food. This experience teaches him the necessity of strategic planning for survival.
What mistakes did Brian make in Hatchet?
In Hatchet, Brian's major mistakes stem from his inexperience with wilderness survival. Initially, he fails to recognize the importance of his hatchet, attempting to cut into an airplane's aluminum fuselage with it and accidentally dropping it into the water. Fortunately, he retrieves it and learns to treat it with the respect it deserves, crucial for his survival.
What is Brian's physical and mental state after the plane crash in Hatchet?
After the plane crash, Brian is in considerable physical pain, with cramped legs, a throbbing headache, and a swollen, tender head, but he has no broken bones or severe injuries. Mentally, he remains calm and pragmatic, drawing on lessons from his teacher about maintaining a positive attitude. Despite his fear, Brian methodically assesses his situation, prioritizes tasks like finding shelter, and focuses on what he can control, demonstrating remarkable resilience and resourcefulness for his age.
Why did Brian in Hatchet want to find a lake directly in front of him?
Brian wants to find a lake directly in front of him because he needs a safe place to crash-land the plane after the pilot suffers a heart attack. Unable to turn the plane or read the instruments, Brian decides to continue flying straight until the fuel runs out. He believes landing in a lake offers a better survival chance than crashing into the forest, which would destroy the plane.
How does Brian in Hatchet identify the nocturnal animal and benefit from understanding its behavior?
In Hatchet, Brian identifies a nocturnal turtle by observing its tracks and behavior. He notices a "flat dragging bottom" and claw marks, leading to a sand pile near the water. Digging into the pile, Brian finds eggs, realizing the turtle's purpose. This understanding benefits him by providing a new food source.
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