In Chapters 7 and 8, Brian learns that self-pity is ineffective for survival. After becoming sick from eating berries and encountering a porcupine, he realizes crying changes nothing and instead focuses on being observant and calm. This approach helps him learn essential survival skills, such as selecting ripe berries to avoid illness and recognizing that bears aren't a threat. Additionally, he discovers how to create fire by observing sparks from his hatchet hitting rocks.

The key items in Brian's survival kit in Hatchet include a sleeping bag, cook set, waterproof matches, butane lighters, a knife with a compass, an emergency transmitter, a first aid kit, a fishing kit, and a .22 rifle. Brian has mixed feelings because these items, especially the rifle and lighters, create a distance between him and the natural environment he has come to understand and cherish during his survival journey.

Brian's statement about self-pity reflects his realization that feeling sorry for himself won't help him survive after crash-landing in the wilderness. Despite being scared and alone with only a hatchet, he understands that self-pity won't provide food, warmth, or solutions to his predicament. Instead, Brian channels his energy into practical problem-solving, focusing on survival tasks like finding food and shelter, as self-pity would only hinder his chances of overcoming the challenges he faces.

Brian considers fire to be his friend because it is essential for his survival in the wilderness. Fire provides warmth, enabling him to withstand the cold Canadian environment, and allows him to cook food, making it edible and preventing starvation. Additionally, fire offers light and smoke, which can signal rescuers from afar. Despite missing one chance to signal a plane, fire remains a crucial element for his potential rescue and continued survival.

If Brian found the survival pack earlier, he would experience less stress and dependency on his hatchet, potentially altering his character development and survival skills. The pack's contents, including food and an emergency transmitter, could lead to a quicker rescue. A winter crash would increase survival challenges, emphasizing exposure risks. Brian's journey of self-sufficiency, understanding nature, and overcoming fears would be significantly impacted by these changes in circumstances.

Brian remains optimistic despite his perilous situation by refusing to concede defeat and continually striving to overcome challenges. Although he experiences moments of self-pity, his perseverance in tasks such as building a fire, inventing a better spear, and constructing a shelter demonstrates his resilience and optimism. These actions reflect his "tough hope" and determination not to let the wilderness overpower him, embodying a central theme of struggle leading to optimism in the story.

Brian cleans his camp area to assert his resilience and mental toughness after a tornado and moose attack. Despite losing most of his belongings and suffering injuries, he refuses to let these misfortunes define him. Cleaning the campsite symbolizes his determination to not let the wilderness defeat him, reflecting his growth into a tough, optimistic adolescent. This act of defiance against nature's challenges reinforces his resolve to survive and endure in the wilderness.

In "Hatchet," the hatchet symbolizes Brian's connection to his past and his survival. Given by his mother, it reminds him of "The Secret," her affair, and the divorce. The hatchet aids him in building shelter and acquiring food. The survival pack represents his link to the outside world and contains vital supplies like a sleeping bag, food, and an emergency transmitter, which ultimately leads to his rescue, symbolizing hope and salvation.

Brian's ability to survive without prior instruction is attributed to his resilience and resourcefulness, inspired by his English teacher, Mr. Perpich, who taught him to value himself as his greatest asset. Despite lacking wilderness training, Brian's trial-and-error approach, combined with a positive mindset, enabled him to adapt and learn new skills. This experience transformed his self-perception from weakness to recognizing his inner strength and independence.

In Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, Brian's survival skills evolve through mental toughness, resilience, and resourcefulness. After a plane crash leaves him stranded, Brian learns to create fire using his hatchet, which becomes his most vital tool for survival. He uses observation to find food sources like turtle eggs and maintains a positive mindset to overcome challenges. Key traits aiding his survival include resilience, adventurousness, stamina, and calmness in danger. The hatchet symbolizes his connection to both parents and serves as a crucial multipurpose tool.