Hatchet
Theme
Theme: Survival, Being great full, self reliant, never give up.
The theme of the novel hatchet is to survive and have that "warrior spirit" and never give up, To be great full for everything you have, Self reliant don't rely on someone to do everything for you.
A few grains of rice
The grains of rice are to show how grateful Brian is to have what he has because every little thing he has is vital to his well being and ability to survive.And Brian would of gladly accepted a small pouch of rice if he had the opportunity.
treasure chest
The treasure chest represents the survival pack in the sense that they both hold "riches" one is literal riches and the other one is riches as in it is going to help him survive.And finding that pack is similar to finding a treasure chest for Brian.
air
Air is essential to our survival just like the hatchet is essential to Brian's survival.
How is the theme universal you may ask ?????
The theme is universal because in survival you cant give up just like in life you cant give up, you don't have to be stranded in the wilderness to learn to appreciate things, you have to be self reliant because your parent/guardian is not always going to be there to everything for you.....That is how the theme is universal.