Hatchet Questions and Answers
Hatchet
Exploring the conflicts in "Hatchet"
In Hatchet, Brian faces both internal and external conflicts. Internally, he struggles with his parents' divorce and his feelings of isolation and fear. Externally, he confronts the challenges of...
Hatchet
What is the climax of the book Hatchet?
The climax of the book "Hatchet" can be perceived in two ways. Firstly, the climax can be seen when a violent storm reveals the plane's tail, enabling the protagonist to access survival gear, shortly...
Hatchet
Brian's Challenges and Problem-Solving in Hatchet
In Hatchet, Brian faces numerous challenges and solves them through resourcefulness and determination. Initially, he builds a shelter near the lake for visibility and finds food by following birds to...
Hatchet
What are examples of simile, metaphor, onomatopoeia, alliteration, hyperbole, and personification in Hatchet?
There are numerous examples of similes, metaphors, onomatopoeias, alterations, hyperbole, and personification in Hatchet. These help lend greater depth to the text and add a poetic element.
Hatchet
What are the 10 most important events in Hatchet?
The events in Hatchet revolve a young boy called Bryan Robeson trying to survive in the Canadian wilderness. They include crashing landing in the area, learning how to build tools and use them to...
Hatchet
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...
Hatchet
What was Brian wearing in Hatchet?
In the survival story, Hatchet, Brian is described as wearing tennis shoes, socks, jeans, underwear, a T-shirt, and a torn windbreaker. Despite the basic nature of his attire, Brian manages to use...
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Brian's Plane Journey in Hatchet
In Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, Brian Robeson, a 13-year-old boy, embarks on a journey on a Cessna 406 bush plane from Hampton, New York, to visit his father in the Canadian oil fields. The pilot suffers...
Hatchet
Summary of key events and main plot points in Hatchet
Hatchet follows 13-year-old Brian Robeson, who survives a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness. Key events include Brian's initial struggle for survival, his attempts to find food and shelter, and...
Hatchet
Brian's methods and discoveries for obtaining food in "Hatchet."
In "Hatchet," Brian discovers various methods to obtain food, including scavenging for berries, fishing with a spear he crafts, and hunting birds with a bow and arrow. He learns to identify edible...
Hatchet
Brian's shelter and why it is considered lucky
Brian's shelter is considered lucky because it provides him with unexpected protection and resources. Initially, he finds a rock overhang which offers immediate safety. Later, he discovers that the...
Hatchet
Brian's methods for attempting to start his first fire in Hatchet
Brian attempts to start his first fire by striking his hatchet against a stone to create sparks. He then tries to ignite the sparks using dried grass and small twigs, demonstrating his...
Hatchet
What types of onomatopoeia are used in Hatchet?
In Hatchet, Gary Paulsen utilizes onomatopoeia to enhance the immersive experience of the wilderness setting. Words like "hisses," "blurks," "buzzing," "whusssh," "whining," and "sloshing" mimic...
Hatchet
What is revealed about "The Secret" in chapters 3-4 of Hatchet?
In chapters 3-4 of Hatchet, "the secret" is revealed to be Brian's discovery of his mother with another man, which he witnessed while at the mall with his friend Terry. This memory, filled with vivid...
Hatchet
Brian's encounters with the moose and the porcupine in Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
In Hatchet, Brian's encounters with the moose and the porcupine are significant challenges that test his survival skills. The moose attacks him, causing serious injuries, while the porcupine startles...
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Brian's discovery, identification, and the impact of finding various berries in Hatchet
In Hatchet, Brian discovers and identifies different berries, which significantly impact his survival. The first berries he finds make him sick, teaching him to be cautious. Later, he identifies...
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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...
Hatchet
Brian's Dreams and Memories in Hatchet
In Hatchet, Brian's dreams and memories reveal his inner turmoil and contribute significantly to the plot. His dreams, especially about his parents' divorce and "the Secret" of his mother's affair,...
Hatchet
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...
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What science lessons does Brian recall in Hatchet?
Brian remembers science lessons that help him start a fire, catch a fish (by aiming properly in the water), and calculate the lake's depth.
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Brian's Journal Entries in Hatchet
In Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, Brian Robeson maintains a mental journal to survive his isolation in the wilderness. He lists tasks and skills learned from various sources, avoiding self-pity and focusing...
Hatchet
What is the problem in Hatchet chapters 13-14 and how does Brian solve it? Who is the character and where are they?
In chapters 13-14, Brian faces both internal and external conflicts. Internally, he struggles with his past, including his parents' divorce and his mother's infidelity, but survival forces him to...
Hatchet
Can you provide an example of imagery from chapters 1-3 in Hatchet?
An example of imagery from chapters 1-3 in Hatchet is the vivid description of the pilot's heart attack: "the plane to the side in a sudden twist and his head fell forward and spit came." Another...
Hatchet
Brian's methods of measuring time in Hatchet
In Hatchet, Brian measures time by observing natural patterns and events. He uses the position of the sun, the phases of the moon, and the changes in weather to track days. Additionally, he marks...
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Brian's strategies and actions for catching fish in Hatchet
Brian's strategies for catching fish in Hatchet include creating a fish spear and a fish pen. He sharpens a stick into a spear to catch fish by hand, and he builds a pen from rocks to trap them....
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Brian's duration of being stranded and missing in Hatchet
In Hatchet, Brian is stranded and missing for fifty-four days. During this time, he learns to survive in the wilderness by relying on his ingenuity and resourcefulness.
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Brian's Actions and Wilderness Knowledge in Hatchet's Plane Landing
In Hatchet, after the plane crash, Brian escapes the aircraft and swims to shore, disoriented but alive. He survives by recalling basic survival skills and learning through trial and error, such as...
Hatchet
Why did Brian create a food shelf in Hatchet by Gary Paulsen?
Brian creates a food shelf to securely store his food away from animals, ensuring it remains safe and accessible when needed. After remaking his shelter, he identifies a high ledge in the rock face...
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In Hatchet, chapters 13-15, what name did Brian give to the birds and why?
Brian calls the birds "foolbirds" in chapters 13-15 because they are exceptionally well camouflaged, making them difficult to see, which fools his vision. Additionally, he perceives them as being...
Hatchet
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...
Hatchet
What does Brian's fish spear in Hatchet look like?
Brian's fish spear, crafted from willow wood, is a two-pronged tool about six feet long and an inch thick at the base. He uses his hatchet to refine the spear into a needle point and then splits it...
Hatchet
Brian's emotional struggle during the plane ride in Hatchet
During the plane ride in Hatchet, Brian experiences intense emotional struggle. He grapples with fear and panic as the pilot suffers a heart attack, leaving him alone to navigate the plane....
Hatchet
Significant events impacting Brian's survival and emotional state in Hatchet
In Hatchet, significant events impacting Brian's survival and emotional state include the plane crash, his initial struggles to find food and shelter, and his eventual success in creating fire. Each...
Hatchet
What does Mr. Perpich identify as Brian's most important asset in Hatchet?
Mr. Perpich tells Brian that his most valuable asset is himself in Hatchet. This is the message that he drummed into every student in his English class. As Brian struggles for survival in the...
Hatchet
Why did Brian think the searchers wouldn't find him immediately in Hatchet?
Brian fears that the searchers might not find him because he initially fails to notice a plane due to being absorbed in making a bow. Although he rushes to build a fire to signal the plane, it...
Hatchet
Brian's thoughts and opinions about Mr. Perpich in Hatchet
Brian respects Mr. Perpich for his practical advice and positive attitude. He often recalls Mr. Perpich’s encouragement to stay motivated and take things one step at a time, which helps him survive...
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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,...
Hatchet
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...
Hatchet
Identify S.T.E.A.L. characterization examples in Paulsen's Hatchet.
In Paulsen's Hatchet, Brian's character evolution is illustrated through the S.T.E.A.L. model: Speech, Thoughts, Effects on others, Actions, and Looks. Initially, Brian's speech is frantic, but grows...
Hatchet
What is the narrative structure of Hatchet and what is the significance of dreams and flashbacks?
The narrative structure of Hatchet is centered on Brian's isolation, with third-person narration offering direct characterization. Flashbacks are crucial as they provide indirect characterization,...
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How did Brian build "Brushpile One" in Hatchet?
Brian built "Brushpile One," a raft, using sticks and wood debris salvaged from the beach after a storm. He meticulously fitted the pieces together, despite the chaotic appearance, and named it...
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Brian's Plan for Landing the Plane in Hatchet
In Hatchet, Brian's plan for landing the plane involves gliding it into a lake after the engine fails. As the fuel depletes, he decides to nose the plane down to maintain control, aiming for a water...
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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...
Hatchet
How is Brian, from Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, both lucky and unlucky after the crash?
Brian is both lucky and unlucky after the crash. He is lucky to have survived, as the plane could have crashed in a rocky area, which would have been fatal. However, he feels unlucky because his...
Hatchet
What action by the airplane in Hatchet made Brian realize he had to land?
Brian realizes he must land the plane when the engine coughs, roars violently, and then dies, leaving only the sound of the wind. This occurs after the pilot's heart attack, during which Brian...
Hatchet
What is the main idea of "Hatchet"?
The main idea of "Hatchet" centers on survival, perseverance, and self-reliance. Stranded in the wilderness, Brian must use common sense and positive self-talk to overcome challenges with only a...
Hatchet
Why did Brian's parents in Hatchet get divorced?
Brian's parents divorced because his mother initiated the proceedings, but the exact reason is not explicitly stated in Hatchet. Brian knows "the Secret," which is that his mother was having an...
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Why did Paulson choose Brian's third person limited point of view in Hatchet?
By using a third limited point of view, Paulson is able to create empathy in the reader and also heighten the feeling of mystery and isolation that Brian feels. These are all important elements in...
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What do chapters 5 and 6 in Hatchet cover?
In chapters 5 and 6, Brian grapples with hunger and thirst in the wilderness. He drinks from the lake and reflects on the teachings of his English teacher about positive thinking. Realizing he might...
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What details from Hatchet describe Brian's family situation?
Details from the text show that Brian's family situation is quite strained and spiraling out of his control.