Discussion Topic
The wild creature that assists Brian in building a fire in Hatchet and the symbolic significance of the fire
Summary:
No wild creature assists Brian in building the fire in Hatchet. The fire symbolizes survival and self-reliance, representing Brian's ability to adapt and sustain himself in the wilderness. It also provides warmth, protection, and a sense of security, marking a turning point in his struggle for survival.
What wild visitor helps Brian build a fire in Hatchet, and what does the fire mean to him?
When Brian is asleep in his cave like dwelling, a porcupine wanders inside. As he seeks to get rid of it, he throws the hatchet- his hatchet- against the cave wall. He notices the sparks that come off of the wall in the process. Brian uses this moment to work on developing a fire. The creation of fire means a great deal to Brian. For one thing, fire allows Brian to develop a chance to develop a signal fire that can be used to attract a rescue mission. Another reason fire is important is that it becomes a source that will allow Brian to cook food. At the same time, the fire becomes one of the first things that Brian does which shows a chance of being successful in his endeavor. At the same time, Brian learns to care and tend for the fire, as if it is his own...
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creation, helping Brian to develop a notion of companionship in his time in the wilderness.
Which wild creature helps Brian build a fire in Hatchet? How is the fire symbolic to Brian?
A porcupine inspires Brian to build a fire and symbolizes vulnerability because Brian needs to defend himself from the wild animals.
Brian finds himself stranded in the wilderness due to a plane crash with no adults and only a hatchet. At first he has no idea what to do. When a porcupine wanders into his camp, at first it just startles him and he reacts with a reflex. The inevitable result is that the porcupine’s quills get him and he is in terrible pain. It is then that he realizes that he is vulnerable.
I can't take it this way, alone with no fire and in the dark, and next time it might be something worse, maybe a bear, and it wouldn't be just quills in the leg, it would be worse. I can't do this, he thought, again and again. (Ch. 8)
To Brian, the porcupine does not just inspire him to build a fire. It symbolizes his vulnerability. He realizes that unlike the porcupine he has no natural defenses. He can’t defend himself. The next time it might not be just a prick from a few quills that gets him. Something much more dangerous could be lurking out there, and he can no longer sit back and wait to be rescued. Brian realizes that he needs to think on his feet. He needs to defend himself, take charge, and be proactive.
In a dream, Brian is inspired once again. He decides to use sparks from the fire to make a hatchet. He uses the sun gleaming off the hatchet and dried grass. What he is really using is his ingenuity. Brian has decided not to wait around for the adults to come and rescue him. He has taken matters into his own hands, and decided he needs to survive on his own.