Hatchet — Chapter 20

About This Passage

This short passage tells us that Brian never forgot what it felt like to be hungry. For years after coming home, he would stand in a grocery store and just look at all the food. Young readers can feel how different Brian is now — even food he did not like is wonderful because he once had so little.

Narration Prompt

Retell the last chapter in order: we find out the pilot who rescued Brian was a fur buyer looking for trapping camps; Brian was on the lake for 54 days; Brian lost seventeen percent of his body weight; Brian became better at watching and thinking slowly; food never lost its wonder and he stared at grocery aisles; Brian looked up the real names of the animals and plants; Brian had dreams about the lake that were not scary; Brian's parents did not get back together; Brian never told his father the Secret.

Discussion Questions

1. The book says Brian had been on the lake for 54 days. How can you tell from the whole book that 54 days felt like a very long time to Brian? What in the story shows that 54 days changed him? What would 54 days have felt like back at home?
2. Brian stops in grocery stores for YEARS and just stares at all the food. What makes you think he does this? What in the story shows that he will never forget being hungry? How can you tell this is a happy thing and a sad thing at the same time?

+ 2 more questions in the complete study guide

The book says Brian 'gained immensely in his ability to observe' and 'would think slowly about something before speaking.' What two things is the lake still teaching Brian even after he is home?