What element of literature does Gary Paulsen use to reveal "the secret?"
Paulsen uses the literary element of flashback to reveal the secret to the reader.
Where is the plane taking Brian and why?
The plane is taking Brian to the Canadian oil fields for his summer visitation with his dad.
Brian's mother gives him a hatchet as a gift. How does Brian feel as he accepts the gift? Why?
Brian felt guilty about not talking to Mom and angry because of the secret.
Why does Paulsen reference the hatchet in Brian's belt over-and -over again? What two elements of literature are used?
Paulsen references the hatchet to show its importance to Brian's survival. He uses the literary elements of repetition and foreshadowing to highlight the hatchet's importance.
What happens to terrify Brian and why is he unable to admit it at first?
The pilot suffers a fatal heart attack during the flight. Brian was in denial and would not admit that the pilot had died.
What events signified that the pilot was dying or dead? (name 3)
The pilot's skin was cold to touch, he had no pulse, and his eyes rolled to the back of his head. All this signifies death from a heart attack.
What will Brian rely upon to help operate the plane?
Brian will rely upon his prior knowledge and his observation skills to help operate the plane.
What will eventually happen if Brian just keeps the plane on a course pointing straight ahead?
If Brian just keeps the plane on a course pointing straight ahead, it will eventually run out of fuel and crash.
Brian decides to fly the plane onto, and not into, the water? Explain why.
If Brian flies the plane into the water, the pressure from the water will rip the plane apart and he would not survive. If Brian flies onto the water, he can glide across the water using it as a landing strip giving him a greater chance at survival.
Why does Brian call the trees the "green death"?
Brian uses the metaphor "green death" to refer to the trees because if he crashes into them, he will surely die.
Brian is bothered by a secret.
What is the secret?
The "Secret" that bothers Brian is that his mom had an affair that caused the divorce.
Who is it that Brian hears screaming?
Brian is shocked to hear someone screaming then realizes that he is the one screaming.
How does Brian escape the plane after the crash?
After realizing he is trapped by his jacket and the seatbelt, Brian frees himself and swims through a broken windshield.
Brian feels that he is both lucky and unlucky after the crash.
How is he both lucky and unlucky?
Brian feels lucky to be alive and unlucky because he is stranded and alone in the wilderness.
As the sun comes up, Brian's eyes begin to close. What was the cause?
Brian's eyes begin to close because of the mosquito and fly bites he sustained. Brian metaphorically refers to the mosquitos as vampires.
