Chapter 12 · Hatchet

Copywork

It was abrupt, as if the plane had turned. He shielded the sun from his eyes and tried to see it, tried to make the plane become real in his eyes.

Read the passage aloud. Why might Brian try to see the plane when he can already hear it?

Narration Tell the chapter back in order: the failed spear, the idea of a bow, the bird in the leaves, the plane, and the bonfire.

Brian thinks discoveries happened "because they needed to happen." What might make him believe that, and does it hold up? Theme
Brian says his hunger now is "A hunger to make him hunt." What do you think he means? Character
While he runs for the fire, Brian pictures the pilot, the landing and supper with his father. Why might his mind run so far ahead? Inference
The chapter begins with a failed spear and ends with a gone plane. How are the two failures alike, and how are they different? Plot structure
Brian whispers, "Look back," while the sound fades. Why might Paulsen stretch out that moment instead of cutting straight to his despair? Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time a plan failed and you had to think up another way.

abrupt: It was abrupt, as if the plane had turned. Sudden and unexpected.
shielded: He shielded the sun from his eyes and tried to see it Covered to protect from something.
persistent: A persistent whine, like the insects only more steady Going on and on without stopping.
crude: It was crude, but it looked effective Rough and simply made.
lunged: he lunged time after time but was always too slow Thrust forward suddenly.
tapered: until the thick end tapered down to a needle point Got narrower toward one end.
springy: and they were springy, but they lacked snap somehow Bending and bouncing back.
primitive: some primitive man tried to spear fish and it didn't work From the earliest times, very simple.
flailing: everything but flailing with it Waving about wildly.

A bird bursts from under Brian's feet. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how he goes from terrified to planning.
Brian looks for wood to make a bow. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how he decides which wood is right.
Brian calls all his work "silly" and "just a game." Using two pieces of evidence, explain whether you think it was.