Hatchet — Chapter 18

About This Passage

This short passage is the moment Brian discovers the hatchet can cut the plane. Paulsen uses a homey comparison — 'soft cheese' — so young readers can feel how surprised Brian is. The hatchet has been Brian's most important tool for the whole story, and now it becomes the tool that opens the plane.

Narration Prompt

Retell chapter 18 in order: Brian pushes the plane and the metal bends, Brian uses his hatchet to cut a hole, Brian drops the hatchet into the water, Brian dives down and finds the hatchet in the mud, Brian cuts a bigger hole and wiggles inside, Brian finds the bag but also sees the pilot's skull, Brian brings the bag back to shore, Brian falls asleep saying 'He had done it.'

Discussion Questions

1. When Brian drops the hatchet into the water, the book says the hatchet 'had been him.' What does Brian mean when he says the hatchet is him? What in the story shows that the hatchet can do things Brian could not do alone? How do you know? Give two examples from this chapter or earlier chapters.
2. Brian yells 'Arrrgghhh!' when he drops the hatchet. That is not a word — it is a sound. What makes you think Paulsen chose a sound instead of a sentence here? How can you tell what Brian is feeling from the sound in a way you could not tell from a regular sentence?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide

Brian tries to smash the plane with his fist and the metal bends easily. What does Brian learn when the metal bends? How does what Brian learns change what he decides to do next?