essay for hatchet

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Chapters 10-12

Chapters 13-15

Chapter 16-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

How does Brian’s English teacher influence him? How does Brian learn to stay positive and keep moving forward?

Brian notices himself changing during his time in the woods. What kind of changes does he undergo? Why?

Brian often talks about luck. Does Brian have good or bad luck? What does the novel say about the concept of luck?

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by Gary Paulsen

Hatchet themes.

The most prominent theme in Hatchet is one of survival, since Brian spends the entire novel fighting to stay alive after he is stranded in the forest. Brian's actions, successes, and failures illustrate the important roles that resourcefulness, quick thinking, adaptability, and perseverance play in survival. This theme is particularly resonant with readers because most of Paulsen's target audience has never had to fight for their survival in this way before.

The entire novel takes place in the great, remote outdoors, and as such, the theme of understanding and respecting nature is hugely relevant. In order to stay alive, Brian must learn the ways of nature, understand its inner workings, and, essentially, become a part of it. He respects the other animals in his space and they respect him. He takes only what he needs to survive, never wasting anything. These practices send an important message to readers to respect the environment around them and appreciate the various ways in which it can provide for humanity.

Coming-of-Age

This novel is an example of a bildungsroman, or a coming-of-age story. The young, naive Brian who finds himself in a plane crash is not the same person who emerges from the forest two months later. He matures a lot over the course of the story, developing a new way of thinking and a new appreciation for the simple pleasures that most people take for granted. He comes to terms with the Secret that he keeps, accepting his parents' divorce rather than mentally fighting against it. Brian's time in the forest has transformed him into someone new, with wisdom that had not been there before.

One thing Brian learns very quickly while in the forest is that he will get nowhere by feeling sorry for himself. He thinks of his old English teacher's insistence on constant positivity and determination in order to keep himself going, and this gives him the strength and outlook he needs to tackle the problems that constantly come his way. Whenever Brian starts to lose this positivity, like when the search plane flies over without stopping, he accomplishes nothing, so he quickly develops the ability to keep himself thinking positively in the face of failure.

Hunger and Food

Brian’s consuming hunger and his need to find food in order to survive drive nearly every decision he makes in the forest. He makes tools in order to catch food, a fire in order to cook food, and a sound shelter in order to protect his food; in the process, he learns firsthand how hunger and food drive all natural processes in the forest. This is especially eye-opening for readers because most will never have experienced the kind of hunger that Brian does in this novel—this account makes it more difficult to take food for granted.

City vs. Wilderness

The question of the wild forest's difference from the big city Brian left comes up repeatedly during this novel. Brian constantly finds himself having to adjust his city lifestyle for one more suited to his natural surroundings. This often proves to be difficult since cities are environments of abundance and overstimulation, where Brian constantly had everything he needs right at his fingertips. In contrast, he must go out and work for even the simplest of needs in nature. He must even change his way of thinking, remembering that while city life is often driven by randomness, every decision made in nature happens for a reason.

Isolation and Loneliness

As soon as the pilot dies and the plane crashes, Brian is completely and utterly alone. On top of fighting for survival, he must come to terms with the truth of his isolation and battle off feelings of loneliness that could potentially cripple him. Most of the time, Brian manages to keep himself busy enough not to think about how alone he is, but there are some instances—notably after he makes the fire and calls it his friend—in which it becomes clear that, just like anyone would, Brian is craving human companionship.

Hatchet Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Hatchet is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

What challenges does Brian face regarding food?

Brian had never before had to trap or catch his own food, and he didn't know how to start a fire. He didn't know what berries were safe to eat, and as a result, he became very sick.

How long have brians parents been divorced

The divorce was only a month old.

First Read: Hatchet

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Study Guide for Hatchet

Hatchet study guide contains a biography of Gary Paulsen, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Hatchet
• Hatchet Summary
• Hatchet Video
• Character List

Lesson Plan for Hatchet

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Hatchet
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Hatchet Bibliography

Wikipedia Entries for Hatchet

• Introduction
• Sequel novels
• Film adaptation

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• Study Guides

Hatchet Essays

Survival as the main theme The theme of survival for literary pieces has been very popular ever since Charles Darwin noted that “survival” is the central idea that promoted evolution. In any literary piece that promotes the theme of survival, a certain story structure is used. It...

The title of this book had a very big connection with the story because the main character, Brian, would not be able to survive without the hatchet. Hatchet was his life, everything he had done came from the hatchet. The story first took place at the airport in Hampton, New York, then it was in...

Hatchet essay Hatchet is about a 13 year old boy named Brian Robinson, he was flying to Canada to visit his father who works in the oil fields. This is the first summer that he is going to stay with his father since his parents’ recent divorce. Brian is the only passenger in a Cessna 406...

Hatchet Book Review This is a book review about what I thought if the book Hatchet by: Gary Paulsen after reading it as a class. The main theme in the book is survival, because Brian Robeson has to learn how to get along with nature, and become one with nature, which is called symbiosis. Included...

This book is talking about an adventure of a boy called Brian Robeson. He is thirteen-year-old. He is on his way to visit his father, a mechanical engineer in the oil fields of Canada. He fly to Canada with a single engine Cessna 406 bush plane. On their way to the airport, his mother gives him a...

Novel: Hatchet Author: Gary Paulsen Lexile Level: 1020 Many have encouraged me to read Gary Paulsen's Hatchet, finally I decided to give it a try. I'm not a huge fan of reading, however I was told that I would thoroughly enjoy every page of what was described as an "edge of my seat" read. I love a...

HATCHET By Brittany Fountain. In Gary Paulsen’s novel hatchet the protagonist Brian Robenson develops many new skills after his plane crashes into the Canadian wilderness. It is his ability to make a fire, build a shelter and make new tools that enable him to survive. During one of the nights when...

Hatchet Reader Response 1. Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet. New York: Puffin Books, 1987. Character: Brian Robeson 2. Thirteen year old Brian Robeson is traveling on a small aircraft traveling to Canada when the pilot has a sudden heart attack leaving Brian in control of the plane. Brian brings the air...

Gjystina Vukaj Comparative essay The Differences and Similarities between the Book “Hatchet” and its Movie “A Cry in the Wild” In this essay I will compare the differences and similarities of events in the book “Hatchet” and the movie “A Cry in the Wild”. Our class read a book called “Hatchet” and...

HATCHET ESSAY Brian Robeson, the main character in Gray Paulsen’s novel Hatchet does experience problems after crashing in the Canadian wilderness. However, he is able to survive because he learns from his mistakes and he becomes more positive and resilient. When Brian survives the plane crash he...

1 789 words

I am going to write about the changes of Brian’s character in the days he is lost. Firstly, Brian has become more mature than before. On the first few days, Brian always thinks that’s he is suffering all those stuffs because of his mother. If his mother hasn’t got another boyfriend and divorced...

Hatchet Answer Key Novel Study Guide Gary Paulsen Answer all questions in sentence form. Chapter One 1. Describe the setting at the beginning of the story. Brian Robeson is sitting in the cockpit of a Cessna 406 on the runway of a small airport in Hampton, New York, as the pilot beside him...

6 377 words

Hatchet is the story of a 13-year-old boy named Brian. On a trip to the Canadian oil fields to spend the summer with his dad, the pilot of the Cessna he was traveling in suffered a heart attack and died. Brian landed the plane in the forest. Brian learned to survive in the wilderness with only a...

One of the books I have read this summer is Hatchet, written by Gary Paulsen. It was written in 1987. Hatchet is also a Newbery Honor winning young adult wilderness survival novel. The story was supposed to take place in the oil fields of Canada, but instead takes place in the North woods of Canada...

Jean Laffite was a French pirate and privateer in the Gulf of Mexico in the early 1800’s. Lafitte was either born in France or a French colony of saint-Dominique. Though Lafitte tried to warn barataria of a British attack, American authorities successfully invaded in 1814 and captured most of...

Cabuco 1 Natasha Jean Cabuco March 26, 2012 7B Hatchet Response Essay The Effects on Brian’s Life In the novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, Brian Robeson is the main character. Brian is a 13-year-old boy who’s been living in the wilderness for more than 54 days. His parents have just recently divorced...

? Book Review of The Hatchet by Mihail Sadoveanu The Hatchet by Mihail Sadoveanu is an epic about a mountain woman named Vitoria Lipan who goes on a long and arduous journey to find her missing husband, Nechifor Lipan. Nechifor had gone to Dorna in the summer to buy sheep and by fall, he has still...

1 289 words

Hatchet In the book, Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, a thirteen year old named Brian Robeson is flying on a plane from his Mom’s house, in the USA, to his Dad’s house in Canada. He’s planning to stay there for the whole summer because it was his Dad’s turn with Brian. Personally...

Brian Robeson is a thirteen-year-old from New York City. He is heading on a plain going from Hampton, New York to the Canadian north woods to visit . His parents just had recent divorce that affects him heavily, as does 'The Secret' that is having an affair. It gives him a brief flying...

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Hatchet Essay Topics & Writing Assignments

Essay Topic 1

In the beginning of the story, Brian is upset with his mother over "The Secret." Do you think it was helpful or harmful for Brian to stay quiet about it? How might the story have changed if Brian had discussed the situation and the divorce with his mother?

Essay Topic 2

Do you think that the gift of the hatchet was a peace offering to Brian, a simple gift, or mother's intuition? Examine the possibilities.

Essay Topic 3

The pilot's heart attack left Brian in the plane with no skill or instruction. Do you think this was a standard procedure? Should there have been a co-pilot? What might you have done in this situation?

Essay Topic 4

Brian tried the best he could to fly or land the plan even though he was terrified. Do you think that Brian was in shock or overcame the fear to take control...

(read more Essay Topics)

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Essay Samples on Hatchet

The theme of never giving up in gary paulsen's "hatchet".

Gary Paulsen’s Young adult fiction story, Hatchet, takes place on a small island, an island with no people where he is alone. Brian got in this situation as the pilot of the plane he was on had died and Brian with no experience of flying...

Literature Analysis of the Young Adult Book 'Hatchet'

There are seven key characteristics of young adult literature. Some of these features include the book being written from the viewpoint of young people. Young people are expected to solve their problems even though they may get some support from adults. These stories are made...

• Literary Devices
• Youth Culture

The Theme of Survival in "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen

In Gary Paulsen's novel, "Hatchet," Brian Robinson is a 13-year-old city boy who lives in Hampton, New York, and is going through a tough time as his parents are getting a divorce. Brian has to ride a plane all by himself from Hampton, New York,...

• Book Review

Role of Hope and Perseverance in the Survival in the Novel 'Hatchet'

Survival. Humans have a weird way of them to persevere and overcome seemingly impossible opposition. Some may associate this with Charles Darwin’s theory “survival of the fittest.” Some may also associate this with the psychological term “the fight or flight response.” However, survival solely depends...

• Perseverance

Best topics on Hatchet

1. The Theme of Never Giving Up in Gary Paulsen’s “Hatchet”

2. Literature Analysis of the Young Adult Book ‘Hatchet’

3. The Theme of Survival in “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen

4. Role of Hope and Perseverance in the Survival in the Novel ‘Hatchet’

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7 Activities for Teaching Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

The novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is awesome to read and teach with upper elementary and middle school students. With the theme of nature, wilderness, animals, insects, and so much more, springtime, as well as autumn, makes the perfect backdrop for this beloved novel. Please come along as we explore 7 activities for teaching Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.

Hatchet is a story of a thirteen-year-old boy who gets stranded in the Canadian wilderness after his bush plane goes down. Brian is emotionally reeling from his parent’s recent divorce and contending with surviving with little to no wilderness experience. He faces his own despair and loneliness all while dealing with wild animals and never knowing if he will be rescued.

Paulsen is honest with readers as he takes us on the emotional journey and transformation of Brian. I believe it resonates with middle schoolers so well because Paulsen isn’t afraid to dive into mental turmoil and the deep emotions synonymous with this age level.

To learn more about Gary Paulsen, please watch this video provided through his publisher, Random House Kids.

Hatchet is a novel that both upper elementary and middle schoolers alike enjoy. I have taught Hatchet for over four years now and boys, as well as girls, love it. If you would like to learn more about Gary Paulsen’s life, please see below.

Here are 7 activities or ideas I use with Hatchet :

Activity 1: urban brian vs. wilderness brian.

I love to complete a type of transformation assignment with students. We investigate how Brian’s inner and outer character traits were before the plane crash and how he changes once he’s had to survive on his own. Not only does he become stronger, more confident, more intelligent and wiser, but his physical appearance drastically changes. I have students illustrate Brian before and after l, based on inferencing. We list the various changing character traits of Brian before, during, and after his survival journey. We also discuss urban Brian vs wilderness Brian and how the two are so different.

Activity 2: Setting Truly Shapes a Story

We focus on how the setting shapes a story. Furthermore, we discuss that if Brian’s plane went down in the middle of the Arizona desert, then how would this shift change in the setting shift the novel? The students see how Brian relies heavily on the setting as his source of survival. Last, we investigate what aspects of the setting harm Brian and what aspects help him.

Activity 3: Reading Outside in Nature

We read Hatchet outside. Just this last week, I took my seventh graders outside to read Hatchet and there was just something neat about hearing the birds chirping and feeling the wind rustling as we discussed Brian’s scavenging for berries and encountering a bear. Students encountered crows in our parking lot at the same time and it was a neat way to make real-life connections.

Activity 4: Create Their Own Survival Backpacks

At the end of the novel, I assign a culminating project in which the students design their own survival backpacks. Brian had little supplies. His hatchet turned out to be the best resource he had. Students always enjoy this activity as they get to physically gather materials to place into a backpack that would help them survive. I’m always blown away by how creative and innovative they are with this particular project. They think of some amazing ideas!

Activity 5: Research Real-Life Survival Strategies

Hatchet is a great novel to pair with wonderful nonfiction pieces to practice those text features. We read articles about snapping turtles, how to survive a bear encounter, and even a real-life account of a young boy who survived the wilderness on his own. I love the opportunity to learn information about a topic in our novel and have it connect to students in a unique way.

Activity 6: Breaking News: Teenager Missing in Canada

If time isn’t lacking, I have students spend a couple of days on a group project. Students put on a news report that details Brian’s plane crash. During the news report, they “interview” Brian’s parents and police officers, and wildlife officers as well as Terry, Brian’s best friend. They pretend that they are these characters pleading with people to search for Brian. Students create a script and act out a 5-minute news report. This project ends up always being a lot of fun.

Activity 7: Different Types of Conflict

Lastly, we analyze our reading and learn important skills and objectives. We investigate the 5 types of conflict and also learn about the theme as well. If you would like our FREE Hatchet Theme Google Slides Worksheets, please click below.

Looking for more?

Are you teaching Ḧäẗċḧëẗ by Gary Paulsen this year? Are you looking for something 𝕠𝕦𝕥-𝕠𝕗-𝕥𝕙𝕖-𝕓𝕠𝕩 for your students?

This resource contains 12 cross-curricular projects that promote analysis, STEAM, poetry, synthesis, and so much more. Including a  RUBRIC  for almost every project! This unit is chock full of the good stuff!

Grab yours today!

If you’ve never taught Hatchet and you teach upper elementary to middle school, I highly recommend this novel. I hope you’re able to implement some of these ideas and bring this novel to life in your classroom and enjoy the survival journey of Brian.

Happy Reading!

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Hatchet — The Literary Analysis Of Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet

The Literary Analysis of Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet

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Published: Nov 22, 2018

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