Chapter 11 · Hatchet

Copywork

He had gotten depressed thinking about how they hadn't found him yet, and when he was busy and had something to do the depression seemed to leave. So there were things to do.

Read the passage aloud. What does the short last sentence do after the long one?

Discussion

Narration Tell the chapter back in order: reburying the eggs, the wood, noticing how he has changed, the signal fire, the view from the bluff, and the fish.

Brian laughs that "cleaning the camp" is only shaking out his windbreaker and smoothing the sand. Why does he say it was still "a mental thing"? Inference
Brian says "I am not the same" and "I see, I hear differently." What do you think is changing in him, and why? Character
Brian decides to keep a signal fire ready rather than light one every day. Was that a sound choice? Moral reasoning
Brian sees the kingfisher catch a fish and thinks "Of course." Why might it have taken a bird to show him? Theme
Paulsen ends the chapter with Brian's plans rolling together, then repeats "There were these things to do." Why might he end that way? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time keeping busy helped you feel better, or didn't.

Vocabulary

depressed: He had gotten depressed thinking about how they hadn't found him yet Very sad and low in spirit.
busy: when he was busy and had something to do the depression seemed to leave Having a lot to do.
staggering: what a staggering amount of wood it would take So large it is hard to believe.
tanning: so he was tanning Turning brown from the sun.
comprised: the rock ridge that comprised the bluff over his shelter Made up; formed.
bluff: the bluff over his shelter A high, steep bank or cliff.
gnarled: bent and gnarled Twisted and knotty, like an old tree.
emerged: It emerged a split part of a second later. Came out into view.
lure: if he could somehow lure them into the shallows To tempt something to come closer.

Critical thinking

On the bluff Brian feels a moment of terror and then is caught up in the view. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what carries him from one to the other.
Brian moves the eggs and does not eat another. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how he holds himself back.
Brian tries to grab a fish and fails. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what he decides to do next.