survival
This book is entirely about how Brian survives alone in the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet by his side.
Brian learns how to survive using the things nature has to offer. He uses his limited knowledge to build shelter, make tools, and feed himself. This take on survival is interesting because the character is just 13 years old with no prior knowledge on the wilderness and how to survive within it.
Brian learns how to survive using the things nature has to offer. He uses his limited knowledge to build shelter, make tools, and feed himself. This take on survival is interesting because the character is just 13 years old with no prior knowledge on the wilderness and how to survive within it.
man vs.nature
Although there is the obvious sense of man versus nature in Hatchet, the way Brian has to fight against the elements to survive, there is actually far more to it.
Brian has only his hatchet with him. He does not have any luxuries man has made. In a sense it is more Brian's human way of thinking versus becoming one with nature and learning from what it has to offer.
Brian has only his hatchet with him. He does not have any luxuries man has made. In a sense it is more Brian's human way of thinking versus becoming one with nature and learning from what it has to offer.
power of positive thinking/luck
Brian stays fairly positive about his situation due to the advice of his old English teacher Mr. Perpich. Perpich "[...] was always talking about being positive, thinking positive, staying on top of things(45)”.
Brian's positive outlook is one of the main reasons why he survived so long. He knew that to survive he needed to stop feeling sorry for himself. The way that Brian stayed positive was quite unique.
Luck is a continued theme throughout the book and Brian is never one to discount any small occurrence of his good luck. He does not think of how is good luck of surviving the crash could have been better if the crash happened near civilization but rather he focuses on the fact that he survived at all. He knows that if he is pessimistic the whole time his good luck will no longer be significant and all that will stand out is the bad.
Brian's positive outlook is one of the main reasons why he survived so long. He knew that to survive he needed to stop feeling sorry for himself. The way that Brian stayed positive was quite unique.
Luck is a continued theme throughout the book and Brian is never one to discount any small occurrence of his good luck. He does not think of how is good luck of surviving the crash could have been better if the crash happened near civilization but rather he focuses on the fact that he survived at all. He knows that if he is pessimistic the whole time his good luck will no longer be significant and all that will stand out is the bad.