Brian Robeson’s life appears to be plagued with one catastrophe after another, beginning with his parents’ recent divorce. As he boards a small plane bound for Canada to spend the summer with his dad, Brian reflects on the tragedies in his past, not realizing that the recent difficulties, as well as those he will soon face, are a small part of his personal journey to healing, acceptance and maturity.
Crashing
When the plane carrying Brian to his father crashes in a Canadian lake, he is the sole survivor. However, Brian’s survival amid the ruins of his parents’ recent divorce remains to be seen. In Hatchet Gary Paulsen spins a tale familiar to many adolescents, that of the pain and confusion stemming from family trauma. Paulsen honestly examines Brian’s anger, depression, guilt and feelings of hopelessness. He vividly portrays the difficulty of living through divorce through Brian’s immediate struggle to survive the Canadian wilderness. As Brian faces challenge after challenge and the ever-constant desire to give up and succumb to pity he finds himself empowered also to deal with his family burdens.
Survivor
Readers will find Brian Robeson to be a somewhat sullen, confused, and slightly immature young man in the opening pages of Hatchet. As they are invited to know Brian more intimately through his mental and physical struggles in the wilderness they will befriend him and root for him as he makes the transformation from victim to survivor. His character is well-developed, honest and believable. Readers who have experienced divorce will identify with Brian on every level.
The Hatchet
His mother’s parting gift before he boarded the plane, the small hatchet survives the crash with Brian. It immediately becomes his instrument of survival and eventually his beloved friend. The hatchet represents Brian’s hope. For readers it symbolizes the element in every crisis which helps us to go on when giving up seems so much easier.
Bury Yourself in Hatchet
Hatchet is highly recommended for older elementary through early adolescent readers. Kids who love outdoor adventure stories will lose themselves with Brian in the Canadian wilderness, while those whose own lives have been torn apart by divorce will find hope in his survival. Paulsen’s novel would also make a good class read for older students. It is ripe with potential discussion points, such as family secrets and their impact on each person within the family, survival skills, the journey to acceptance and healing and dealing with family crises. Although many of these themes will strike a personal note among some students they can be discussed in generalities within the class setting and reflected upon during personal time.
Hatchet
By Gary Paulsen
Copyright 1987 by Gary Paulsen
ISBN: 0-590-98182-X
