Hatchet — Chapter 12

About This Passage

Paulsen writes this passage almost like a real explosion. He uses strong words like 'terrified,' 'explosion,' 'feathered bomb,' 'flurry,' and 'thunder.' Brian is scared so badly that he falls down. But then he realizes it was only a small bird — a grouse. Paulsen is showing how sharp Brian's senses have become and how the woods can surprise him at any moment.

Narration Prompt

Retell chapter twelve in 5-6 sentences. Begin with Brian's failure to catch fish with his new spear — the fish are simply too fast. Explain how Brian quickly decides to 'invent' a bow and arrow, and how he goes up the lake to find the right wood. Describe the moment he nearly steps on the grouse and almost catches it by accident. Move to the sound of the airplane, Brian's run back to camp, his frantic bonfire on the bluff, and the crushing moment when the plane turns away. End with Brian's tears on the stone and his thought that he will never leave this place.

Discussion Questions

1. Brian's spear fails after he has spent hours and hours making it. Paulsen tells us the spear 'had become more than just a tool' to Brian. What does this phrase mean? Why is the failure of the spear not only about being unable to catch fish?
2. When Brian realizes he needs a bow and arrow, Paulsen writes that he 'almost laughed' because he 'had to invent the bow and arrow.' Paulsen says maybe this is how primitive man really invented the bow in the first place. What is Paulsen suggesting about how inventions happen in human history?

+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide

Paulsen writes that the fish spear 'had become more than just a tool' for Brian. What other thing was the spear to him? How can a tool become more than a tool? Use Brian's hours of careful work in the firelight to explain your answer.