Hatchet by Gary Paulsen Study Guide Flashcards

Overview

  • Hatchet is a survival novel by Gary Paulsen.
  • Follows thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson after his plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness.
  • Focuses on themes of resilience, self-discovery, and the relationship between man and nature.

Main Characters

  • Brian Robeson: Protagonist, 13-year-old boy who survives a plane crash.
  • Brian’s Mother: Gave Brian the hatchet before his journey.
  • Brian’s Father: Lives in Canada; Brian was en route to visit him.
  • The Pilot: Suffers a heart attack during the flight.

Key Themes

  • Survival and Self-Reliance: Emphasizes independence through challenges.
  • Man vs. Nature: Explores humanity’s struggle within the wilderness.
  • Coming of Age: Brian’s journey signifies growth and maturity.
  • Isolation and Loneliness: Examines the effects of solitude on Brian.
  • Resilience in Adversity: Highlights Brian’s determination to survive.

Important Symbols

  • The Hatchet: Represents survival, independence, and maturity.
  • The Plane: Symbolizes connection to civilization and the past.
  • Fire: Stands for comfort, safety, and hope.
  • The Foolbird: Illustrates Brian’s ingenuity and patience.

Key Vocabulary

  • Vague, Murky, Turbulence, Abated, Hordes, Crude, Exasperation, Dormant, Gnarled, Haunches

Study Questions

  1. Why is Brian traveling by bush plane?
  2. What secret does Brian carry?
  3. What occurs with the pilot during the flight?
  4. How does Brian survive the crash?
  5. What are Brian's immediate actions post-crash?
  6. How does he learn to build a fire?
  7. What role does the hatchet play?
  8. Brian's evolving relationship with nature?
  9. What food types does Brian hunt and gather?
  10. Effects of the moose and tornado encounters?
  11. How is Brian finally rescued?
  12. Changes in Brian physically and mentally?
  13. Differences in Brian's character from beginning to end?
  14. Survival’s influence on Brian’s decisions?
  15. Importance of isolation as a theme?
  16. Lessons Brian learns from nature?
  17. Role of patience in survival?
  18. Fire as a symbol of hope?
  19. Significance of the hatchet beyond a tool?
  20. How does Brian cope with loneliness and fear?

Symbols & Literary Devices

  1. Meaning of hatchet as a symbol?
  2. Plane as a link to civilization?
  3. Foolbird as a survival skill representation?
  4. Example of foreshadowing?
  5. Use of imagery depicting the wilderness?
  6. Importance of setting to the themes?

Vocabulary Definitions

  1. Define vague, abated, crude, dormant, exasperation.
  2. Meaning of turbulence in relation to Brian’s flight.
  3. Describe gnarled and its usage in the story.
  4. Brian's evolving understanding of resilience?

Final Reflection Prompts

  • What would you do differently in Brian's position?
  • Most surprising part of Hatchet and why?
  • Brian’s journey and its relation to coming of age?
  • Meaningful lessons from Brian’s wilderness experience?