Brian's Hunt

Chapters 1-3 contextualize Brian’s previous wilderness experience and the setting, and they foreshadow characters and locations that become important later in the novel. Paulsen creates continuity between Brian’s Hunt and previous novels in the Brian’s Saga series using flashbacks to some of Brian’s other experiences. The flashbacks remind series readers of previous novels, and provide background information for readers unfamiliar with Brian’s story. The exposition also grounds the narrative in real-world geography. The novel takes place in the northern Canadian woods where a series of rivers and lakes connect and flow north and west into Lake Winnipeg and, eventually, Hudson Bay. Placing the novel in a factual setting highlights the realism of Brian’s wilderness experience. Paulsen resists romanticizing Brian’s connection to nature in order to balance the portrayal of both the dangers and discomforts of the wilderness—such as mosquitos—with the meaningful experiences Brian has there. Danger and meaning coexist for Brian, emphasized by his discomfort in the relative safety of civilization.

Paulsen foreshadows the central conflict through details of Brian’s past adventures. For example, he introduces Kay-gwa-daush and explains how Brian knows the Smallhorn family. Paulsen foreshadows the relevance of the Smallhorns to the plot by including their exact distance and direction from Brian’s position. As the exposition ends at the close of Chapter 3, Paulsen emphasizes the peacefulness Brian’s current state and the contentedness he feels within nature. This emphasis on peace and contentedness signals to the reader that conflict is coming soon as the rising action will begin with the introduction of the lost dog in Chapter 4.

Paulsen establishes the theme of Personal Growth Through Experience in these initial chapters, as Brian now feels more at home in the wilderness than he does in society. Paulsen explains how Brian’s first survival experience in Hatchet led to changes in his identity. After experiencing the solitude and peace of nature, Brian cannot endure the noise and ugliness of cities. He appreciates simplicity and cannot relate to society’s desire for money, and whereas he used to simply memorize information for tests in school, he now has a hunger to learn and experience things, and to understand them on a deep level. Part of this love of learning comes from the realization that he must rely on his knowledge to survive in nature. Paulsen’s emphasis on the word “know” in these passages shows that he is describing a deeper knowledge than memorization. Brian realizes that he is constantly changing as he experiences more and his knowledge grows. Paulsen also uses the flashbacks to contrast Brian’s early and current experiences in the woods, demonstrating how much his skill and knowledge have grown due to his survival experiences. This growth has changed the way he interacts with the world more broadly and makes him stand out from typical teenagers. Brian’s attraction to Kay-gwa-daush suggests that he sees her as a kindred spirit: someone with a similar appreciation for nature because of her family’s lifestyle and values.

Brian’s character is defined by his Respect for Nature. He demonstrates this appreciation through his approach to hunting and through his connection to the ever-changing environment. He refuses to kill an animal if it means he will have to waste some of the meat, choosing to kill only what he can eat. Brian would rather take extra time and expend extra effort to find an animal that he will not waste than take an easy shot if it means killing a large animal that will spoil before he can eat it all. Brian understands that time and patience are prerequisites for a successful hunt and that the principle of avoiding waste applies to the methods of hunting as well. He believes it is better to take the time to reposition himself for a good shot at the pike rather than take a shot he knows will be a poor one. Brian also thanks each animal he kills, showing his respect and gratitude for the animal’s life. Through Brian’s actions, Paulsen argues that when one must hunt to survive, one gains a unique appreciation for all life and does not take it for granted. Brian further shows appreciation for nature through his keen awareness of the environment. He is sensitive to sounds, always listening and observing the natural world for signals of what is happening around him. He demonstrates humility in believing that he must pay close attention to nature to avoid missing important cues about his environment. Brian does not take his safety and comfort for granted, either, demonstrating an awareness and respect of his lack of power over nature. Through his time spent in the wilderness, Brian has fostered respect for nature and humility about his place within it.