A written analysis of Gary Paulsen’s novel, Hatchet, commonly assigned in middle and high school English classes, typically includes summaries of the plot, character analyses, exploration of central themes, and personal reflections. An example would be a student examining Brian Robeson’s resilience in the face of adversity after a plane crash and his subsequent survival in the Canadian wilderness.
These analyses are significant because they promote reading comprehension, critical thinking, and written communication skills. They allow students to engage deeply with the text, understand its nuances, and articulate their interpretations effectively. Historically, such exercises have been employed to assess a student’s ability to not only comprehend the story but also to extrapolate its meaning and significance.
