Hatchet
Grant Evans written by Greg Paulson
Symbolism
Setting
Theme
Conflict and Plot
In this story, the antagonist is nature and all of its dangers as well as beauties. Another antagonist is Brian himself as he battles against his tendency to just give up when this new life seems too difficult. He also has to end his obsession with the secret and his parents divorcing and learn to live with what he can't change.
The plot begins with Brian leaving NYC to fly to Canada to visit his father, Then, the pilot suffers a heart attack and dies, and Brian must guide the plane to land as safe as possible. Brian is now in the middle of nowhere with nothing but a hatchet that his mother gave him, but now he must figure out how to keep himself alive, find food and shelter, and avoid any dangerous animals until someone comes to rescue him.
A rescue plane finally comes, but Brian is unable to get his signal fire going in time to alert it, and this is the point that everything changes for Brian. He becomes very depressed and tries to kill himself by cutting his wrists with the hatchet. But realizes that isn't the solution. This is when he becomes the "NEW" Brian. He survives and is finally rescued.