What is the significance of the hatchet in terms of identity or survival?

• A. It is merely decorative
• B. It represents luck
• C. It symbolizes survival and resourcefulness
• D. It is a burden

Answer: (C)

The hatchet shows how a single tool can become a lifeline and a source of personal strength in a survival crisis. It’s not just a blade; it’s the means by which Brian builds shelter, makes tools, hunts, and protects himself. Each use of the hatchet reinforces his ability to think, plan, and act under pressure, shaping his sense of self as a capable survivor. Because of this, its significance lies in representing survival and resourcefulness—the idea that skill, ingenuity, and determination, wielded through a practical tool, sustain a person when help is absent. The decorative option isn’t a fit because it has no functional value in the story, luck minimizes effort to a chance event, and a burden would imply a negative weight rather than a lifeline that enables growth.