Hatchet — Chapter 17

About This Passage

This is Brian's own rule for how to do hard things. The passage was chosen for three reasons. First, it is one rule said three ways — food, then thought, then action — and the rhythm of three is how children remember rules. Second, Brian is hungry and excited about the plane, but he makes himself eat the fish FIRST. Copying this passage shows the child that a wise person does not jump straight to the exciting part. Third, the sentence after the rule names the reason: 'he might not be able to get anything from the plane.' Brian is teaching himself that he cannot trade a real fish for a hoped-for plane. This teaches the child how to think before wanting.

Narration Prompt

Retell chapter seventeen to a grown-up in four or five sentences. Tell them how Brian rebuilds his shelter and fire after the tornado, how he remembers the plane tail and thinks about the survival pack, how he eats fish first before trying the plane, how he builds his raft 'Brushpile One' from tree limbs woven together, and how at the end of the chapter he gets out to the plane but cannot find a way inside.

Discussion Questions

1. In the chapter, Brian says to himself, 'First food, then thought, then action.' What in the story shows us that Brian believes this rule? How do you know he chose the fish over the plane even when the plane was more exciting?
2. Brian remembers the plane tail and thinks about the survival pack with food and matches and maybe a sleeping bag. What in the story makes Brian call himself 'rich' if he could get the pack? What does rich mean to Brian now?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide