Types of Literary Conflict in Hatchet

One of the things that make stories interesting and captivating enough for us to read and enjoy is conflict. Even if we don't want it in our own lives, without conflict, a story can be boring. It is what keeps us guessing at possible outcomes.

Man vs. Nature is the most prevalent in Hatchet. In this exercise, students should think of the different types of conflict and where they arise in the story. In addition to recreating the scene, students should include a description with an identification of the type of conflict and the impact it had on the plot.

An alternate activity would be to depict several instances of Brian vs. Nature in the same format as below. Recreate the scene with a description and show how Brian comes to handle these conflicts over time. How does Brian's attitude and actions change due to these conflicts?

Examples of Literary Conflict in Hatchet

MAN vs. NATURE

The pilot and Brian are helpless in the fight against nature when the pilot suffers a heart attack.

MAN vs. SELF

Brian doubts that he will survive alone in the woods. This is an internal conflict where his doubts threaten his survival.

MAN vs. MAN and MAN vs. SELF

When Brian realizes his mom is cheating on his dad, he has conflicting feelings toward both his mom and her "friend". He also has an internal conflict about keeping this awful "secret" to himself.

Student Instructions

Create a storyboard that shows at least three forms of literary conflict in Hatchet.

1. Identify three conflicts in Hatchet.
2. Categorize each conflict as Character vs. Character, Character vs. Self, Character vs. Society, Character vs. Nature, or Character vs. Technology.
3. Illustrate conflicts in the cells, using characters from the story.
4. Write a short description of the conflict below the cell.