Podcast
Questions and Answers
How does Brian relieve his thirst and why does he vomit?
How does Brian relieve his thirst and why does he vomit?
Brian drinks water out of the lake. He vomits because he drank too much water and drank it too fast.
Who is Perpich and why does Brian think about him?
Who is Perpich and why does Brian think about him?
Perpich is Brian's English teacher who encourages him to be positive.
What does Brian have with him?
What does Brian have with him?
Brian has money, his hatchet, odd pieces of paper, a fingernail clipper, a broken watch, a good pair of clothes, good tennis shoes, and a broken windbreaker.
What worrisome thought does Brian have while he is hopeful he'll be found?
What worrisome thought does Brian have while he is hopeful he'll be found?
What sort of place is Brian looking for to build a shelter?
What sort of place is Brian looking for to build a shelter?
What does Brian think about when he isn't thinking about solving his immediate problems?
What does Brian think about when he isn't thinking about solving his immediate problems?
What does Brian do for food?
What does Brian do for food?
How does Brian try to start a fire?
How does Brian try to start a fire?
Why does Brian spend two hours weaving sticks together?
Why does Brian spend two hours weaving sticks together?
What wakes Brian up during the first night he spends under the overhang?
What wakes Brian up during the first night he spends under the overhang?
What do you learn about 'the secret'?
What do you learn about 'the secret'?
How does Brian keep from losing track of his new shelter?
How does Brian keep from losing track of his new shelter?
What frightens Brian while he is picking raspberries?
What frightens Brian while he is picking raspberries?
What causes the musty smell that Brian notices when he wakes up?
What causes the musty smell that Brian notices when he wakes up?
Why is it a mistake for Brian to kick out when he hears a slithering sound?
Why is it a mistake for Brian to kick out when he hears a slithering sound?
How is the hatchet the 'key' to starting a fire?
How is the hatchet the 'key' to starting a fire?
What is the 'most' important rule for survival that Brian learns?
What is the 'most' important rule for survival that Brian learns?
How does Brian make 'fluff' for starting a fire?
How does Brian make 'fluff' for starting a fire?
Who does Brian consider his 'hungry friend'?
Who does Brian consider his 'hungry friend'?
How does Brian keep the mosquitoes away?
How does Brian keep the mosquitoes away?
How does Brian find the turtle eggs?
How does Brian find the turtle eggs?
Why does Brian think of his Uncle Carter?
Why does Brian think of his Uncle Carter?
Why does Brian try to keep busy?
Why does Brian try to keep busy?
How does Brian change physically?
How does Brian change physically?
How does Brian change mentally?
How does Brian change mentally?
What does Brian plan to do when searchers fly over?
What does Brian plan to do when searchers fly over?
How does seeing the kingfisher help Brian?
How does seeing the kingfisher help Brian?
Why doesn't the fish spear that Brian makes work?
Why doesn't the fish spear that Brian makes work?
What does Brian need to make the bow-and-arrow?
What does Brian need to make the bow-and-arrow?
Why does Brian start to feel hopeless?
Why does Brian start to feel hopeless?
Study Notes
Brian's Survival Experience
- Brian drinks lake water to relieve thirst but vomits due to consuming it too quickly.
- He reflects on Perpich, his English teacher, who taught him to maintain a positive outlook during tough times.
Supplies and Shelter
- Brian has limited supplies: money, a hatchet, pieces of paper, a fingernail clipper, a broken watch, clothing, and a broken windbreaker.
- Initially hopeful about rescue, Brian later worries he might not be found and seeks a suitable shelter near the lake, ultimately finding a rock with a small opening.
Thoughts and Actions
- When not focused on survival, Brian fantasizes about his favorite food, a double burger with fries and a chocolate shake.
- He searches for food, discovering red berries that birds eat, which he also consumes.
Fire Starting Efforts
- Brian attempts to start a fire by rubbing two sticks together and spends hours weaving sticks to cover his shelter's opening.
- The hatchet proves essential in creating sparks for fire starting, while he makes "fluff" using birch bark.
Nighttime Experiences
- His first night under the overhang is disturbed by stomach pain, leading him to call for his mother.
- A bear frightens him while he picks raspberries, and he experiences a musty smell from a porcupine.
Mistakes and Survival Lessons
- Kicking at a slithering sound leads to injury from porcupine quills.
- Brian learns that self-pity is detrimental to survival and that staying busy helps distract him from rescue frustrations.
Physical and Mental Transformation
- Physically, Brian becomes tanner, skinnier, and tougher-skinned through his experiences.
- Mentally, his senses sharpen, and he gains clarity in thought as he observes his surroundings more keenly.
Problem-Solving and Adaptation
- Brian plans to signal for rescue by creating a fire on a large stone.
- Observing a kingfisher inspires Brian to seek out fish for food, but his initial fish spear fails due to its thickness and lack of flexibility.
Tool Creation and Hopefulness
- To make a bow-and-arrow, Brian needs flexible wood, string, and an arrow.
- Feelings of hopelessness arise when searchers fly overhead but do not rescue him, highlighting the challenges of survival alone.
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Description
Test your knowledge on chapters 5 to 12 of 'Hatchet'. This quiz covers important events and character thoughts, including Brian's struggles for survival and reflections on his English teacher, Perpich. Engage with questions that delve into the challenges Brian faces in the wilderness.
