How does the ending of Hatchet resolve Brian's arc?

• A. He is rescued, reflecting his growth from dependent to capable survivor.
• B. He becomes dependent on technology again.
• C. He returns with fear and regrets.
• D. He decides to stay in the wild and build a family.

Answer: (C)

Ending resolution centers on Brian's transformation through rescue: the moment he is saved shows that the skills and mental resilience he built in the wild have paid off. The arc moves from initial dependence on luck and exterior help to a confident survivor who can think, plan, and endure under pressure. The rescue confirms this growth and signals that he carries the lessons of the forest back into civilization, rather than remaining defined by the wilderness.

The ending isn’t about returning to technology or choosing to stay in the wild for good, nor about leaving with fear or regret. Those paths would imply a reversal or an unresolved struggle, which the narrative does not suggest.