41 pages • 1 hour read
Gary PaulsenBrian's Hunt
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2003A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Themes
Personal Growth Through Experience
In Chapters 1-3, Paulsen highlights the changes that Brian recognizes in himself over the past few years, and the way Brian continues to change as he grows and learns from his experiences. Brian’s first survival experience at age 14, detailed in the novel Hatchet, changed him profoundly. When Brian returned home after spending months alone surviving in the wilderness, he discovered that he did not care about the same things anymore and struggled to fit in with his classmates at school. His newfound dislike for the noise and bustle of civilization drives him to return to the wilderness multiple times, including his return in Brian’s Hunt.
Brian often reflects on how his growth in wilderness knowledge and experiences in the wild have changed him. He contrasts his survival experience in Hatchet and the way he now thrives in the woods. As Brian watches the dog eat rabbit guts, he recognizes that in the past, he would have gotten sick at this sight, but it does not bother him anymore. Tasks like hunting and cooking over an open fire are now second nature to Brian, and he does them with ease. In the past, he learned survival skills through trial and error, and nothing came easily as he experienced hardship along the way. The contrast between Brian’s character in Hatchet and Brian’s Hunt shows how his confidence, skills, and connection to nature have evolved. These changes in Brian signal the coming conclusion to his coming-of-age story.
Brian’s experiences in the wilderness have shaped his relationship to knowledge and learning. In the past, Brian saw school as obligatory, and he learned information with the goal of passing tests. Now Brian has the desire to truly understand and internalize information. His time in the wilderness has taught him the value of knowledge for survival, and he developed appreciation for education as a result. As Brian moves through nature, he constantly seeks to learn from it, using his senses and observations to engage with the environment. Brian’s education through experience has made him humble; he doesn’t see himself as superior to nature or as a person with all the answers. He is always looking for a better way to do things, such as when he gets the idea to use sap to seal the dog’s wound rather than mud. Brian’s hunger for learning is a change that results from his time in nature. Paulsen implies that a practical education, such as an education for one’s survival, creates a more authentic and appreciative connection to learning compared to learning in order to pass tests in school.
Brian’s personal growth illustrates how life experiences often shape one’s character and identity over time. This is particularly relevant for the novel’s young adult audience, since many young people undergo life changes in the pre-teen and teenage years. Brian’s character shows how change can have both positive and negative sides; while Brian discovers his passion for nature, he also finds it difficult to feel at home in society. Paulsen suggests that change is an inevitable part of life, particularly when one is coming of age, and that young people coming of age must make difficult decisions in order to live authentically.
Respect for Nature
Brian consistently demonstrates an appreciation and respect for nature. His past survival experiences taught him about nature’s power and beauty, and he consequently approaches nature with an attitude of humility rather than superiority. Brian pays close attention to every sound, scent, and sight he encounters. Experience has helped him develop sensitivity to small changes in his environment, and he knows that every change or disruption is significant. Instead of viewing himself as superior to animals, he attempts to learn from them by observation. Brian constantly listens and learns, choosing to give nature the authority to dictate his actions. Brian sees himself as part of the nature around him, instead of a detached and superior observer of nature.
Brian respects nature through his hunting practices. Brian only kills animals he can consume completely. He understands the value of food for survival, and therefore refuses to waste any meat. For example, he chooses not to shoot a moose, even when he has the dog to feed, because he knows some of the meat would spoil before they could eat it. Even though the moose would be an easy kill, he would rather take the time to hunt and kill a deer than waste part of an animal. Brian chooses not to shoot a doe because it could be pregnant, even though it has the best tasting meat. He expresses gratitude to the animals he kills, recognizing that their deaths enable him to live. Brian’s hunting techniques reveal his appreciative and humble attitude toward nature. Brian consciously makes choices to ensure that his hunting practices are sustainable and allow the cycles of nature to continue.
Paulsen contrasts the dangerous and the approachable sides of nature in the novel. Brian recognizes both sides and has a healthy balance of respect and fear of nature. He basks in the peaceful evenings, listening to the birds sing, yet investigates the sound that wakes him from a dream, knowing that it could be dangerous. Paulsen contrasts the bear and the dog to show nature’s two opposing sides. The bear is cruel, unpredictable, and lethal, while the dog is friendly, loyal, and helpful. Brian approaches the dog cautiously, but soon builds companionship and trust with the dog, demonstrating the sense of companionship and fulfillment that nature offers. In contrast, Brian recognizes the wild nature of the bear and the threat it poses which symbolizes the dangerous side of nature. Brian respects and appreciates both sides, knowing that he cannot have one without the other. Paulsen argues that these two parts of nature are inseparable, and that Brian’s balance of respect and fear are vital for interacting with nature authentically.
The Value of Simplicity
Paulsen highlights the value of simplicity through Brian’s character and lifestyle. He also contrasts Brian’s lifestyle with that of people in society to show the merits of a simple life. Brian’s life in the woods is free of the objects, pursuits, and distractions of human society. He has tried several times to re-acclimate to the civilized world but finds that the peace and quiet of nature is where he belongs. Brian’s choice of gear reflects his preference for simplicity. He has no need for modern technologies like guns, GPS, or specialty outdoor equipment. Instead, he carefully chooses traditional and essential items like a bow and arrow, knife, sleeping bag, cooking pot, and matches. Each piece of gear he brings to the woods is thoughtfully chosen. Brian inspects his gear nightly, showing his appreciation and care for the few items he has. Paulsen contrasts Brian’s loving care of a small handful of simple objects against society’s need for money endless objects.
Paulsen highlights Brian’s thoughts about modern society on several occasions. Brian dislikes the pursuits of society and the value it places on money, social status, and owning objects. He also dislikes the noise and hurry of civilized life. Brian sees the value in slowness and patience, which are both necessary for success in hunting. He also values listening, noticing, and learning from his surroundings. Paulsen shows how Brian’s values conflict with those of western culture, which prizes efficiency, profits, and instant gratification.
Paulsen uses binary comparisons between simplicity and convenience to highlight the differences between Brian’s values and those of modern society. Paulsen incorporates detailed descriptions of the processes Brian must go through for survival essentials like cooking, fishing, hunting, and processing meat. These step-by-step descriptions highlight the time involved in such processes, showing that Brian’s simple way of life, requires a lot of work and patience. In contrast, most people today are used to the convenience of grocery stores, restaurants, and online ordering when they are hungry for a meal. For most, cooking does not involve gathering firewood and building a fire, but instead relies on the convenience of turning on an oven, stove, or microwave. Despite all the time saving conveniences of the modern world, people don’t often have much extra free time to simply enjoy life. Instead, people tend to fill their time with more work and hustle, and the time saving conveniences they enjoy end up fueling the busyness. For Brian, the act of feeding himself may take an entire day, yet his goal is not speed and efficiency. He uses his time to connect with his surroundings and with himself, and his days are fulfilling as a result. Through Brian’s character, Paulsen offers a countercultural perspective: That a simple life is a life well lived, and the pursuit of wealth and status need not consume one’s days and will not produce feelings of fulfillment.
Related Titles
By Gary Paulsen
