Symbols
The Hatchet
Throughout the novel, the hatchet is not merely a tool for physical survival in the wilderness but also a metaphorical instrument for emotional and psychological resilience. Before the crash, the hatchet, gifted to him by his mother, was a useless thing for Brian. However, after he is stranded in the Canadian wilderness, the hatchet becomes a practical tool for Brian’s survival. It enables him to cut wood for shelter, make tools and weapons, and procure food. As Brian learns to wield the hatchet effectively, it becomes a symbol of his resourcefulness and adaptability in the face of adversity. It represents his ability to rely on his own skills and ingenuity to overcome challenges and sustain himself in the wilderness.
Further, as Brian becomes increasingly proficient with the hatchet, it becomes a source of empowerment for him. As he says, “The hatchet was the key to it all” and that it was the “answer.” The hatchet even enables him to create fire. In a hostile and unforgiving environment, it provides Brian with a sense of agency and control over his circumstances, which establishes the symbolic link between the hatchet and Brian’s self-development. The hatchet begins to symbolize Brian’s transformation throughout the novel. At the outset, Brian is a city boy unaccustomed to the rigors of nature, but as he learns to navigate the wilderness and harness the power of the hatchet, he undergoes a profound metamorphosis. He matures emotionally and develops resilience, adaptability, and self-confidence. The hatchet becomes a catalyst for Brian’s growth, marking his evolution from a vulnerable and inexperienced boy into a capable and self-assured survivor. That it is his most essential tool for survival is evident when he dives down into the lake to retrieve it once it slips out of his hand. Finally, it is the hatchet that helps Brian be rescued. He uses it to retrieve the survival pack from the plane that carries the transmitter, which finally leads to Brian being detected.
The Plane
The symbolic significance of the plane in Hatchet is complex and paradoxical, embodying both a beginning and an end as well as signifying the coexistence of mortality and vitality. The plane crash, occurring early in the book, appears to mark the conclusion of a sequence of events, yet it paradoxically serves as a preface to Brian’s true journey. However, the plane is also a symbol of death—not only does the pilot die during flight, his body remains submerged within the plane in the lake, a thought that continues to haunt Brian.
Despite this, the plane also carries a vital element for Brian’s survival and eventual rescue. Discovering the survival pack within the plane is a critical turn of events for Brian, as it has a transmitter that facilitates communication with potential rescuers, thereby transforming the plane from a vessel of tragedy to a channel of hope and eventual rescue.
Wolf
After living in the forest for a month, Brian’s encounter with a wolf becomes emblematic of the symbiotic relationship achievable when humans regard nature with reverence and empathy. Before this encounter, Brian’s interactions with wild animals were characterized by fear or pain (such as when the porcupine attacked him). However, with the passage of time, Brian has learned to overcome his apprehension. When he meets the wolf, he nods and smiles at it. This peaceful interaction with a potentially dangerous creature indicates the serenity and sense of belonging that Brian ultimately attains in the wilderness. While he learns that animals are a part of nature, this incident also underlines how Brian himself has started feeling integrated with nature and does not consider other beings as threats.
Rifle
When he finds a rifle in the survival pack retrieved from the plane, Brian is initially startled and sets it aside. This indicates how he considers this firearm as an intrusion—an unwanted imposition of civilization and technological advancement upon the simplicity of his wilderness existence. It is also an instrument of domination, suggesting how mankind continues to push and intrude upon nature with brute force. While the rifle is more effective, it doesn’t align with Brian’s sense of self-reliance that he has cultivated since the crash. Instead, it is a divisive force, alienating Brian from his accustomed way of life and disrupting his harmonious relationship with the natural inhabitants of the wilderness.
