Hatchet and Forbidden - Similarities and differences

The novel Hatchet and Forbidden City can be compared easily because they both describe stories of teenagers facing conflict and struggle. The similarities and Differences between both books are the shown in the conflicts between the main characters and themselves, their families, nature and society. By examining these problems in each novel one can see that they both deal with the overall topic of teenagers coming of age and creating their own identity through challenges and difficulties.

In the novels Hatchet and Forbidden City, the similarities and differences are within the conflicts of family. Both Alex and Brian's parents are divorced. They both are angry and have struggled about it and have blamed someone for it. Alex's family lives in Canada and so does Brian's father. The differences between them is that they live with a different parent. Alex lives with he's dad and blames him for the divorce.

...I didn't realize that it started around the time mom left home...I had a hard time understanding what was going on and why. At first I thought it was my fault...Then I figured if it wasn't my fault she left, dad must be top blame. (Forbidden City pg. 15)

Brian lives with his mom and blames )her for the divorce. "If his mother hadn't begun to see him and forced the divorce, Brian wouldn't be here right now." (Hatchet pg. 61)

Secondly, the differences between the novels is the conflict between their personal change. Alex is surviving in a political conflict in China and Brian is lost and surviving in the wilderness. Alex got shot in the leg and Brian crashed and got wounded. They both survived their adventure and have both matured. At the end, Alex learned more about Chinese history. "I think it was at that moment that I really understood how long Chinese history stretched back and how many wars there had been." (Forbidden City pg. 73)

Brian learned and learned of new skills all by himself. They both changed mentally and physically and learn to problem solve on their own.

But it was a mental thing. He had gotten depressed thinking about how they hadn't found him yet , and when he was busy and had something to do the depression seemed to leave. (Hatchet pg. 100)

Finally, the similarities and differences between the two main character's struggled for identity are the challenges they faced. First of all, society because where they are was different for both of them. Alex was in a political situation and the culture was different from his and so was the language. It was also hard for him to fit in with all the people and not stand out but he tried by wearing a disguise. "And better wear your Chinese disguise." (Forbidden City pg. 64)

Brian was facing nature, something completely different from his normal society of the city . Brian was living with animals, different weather, more and different disasters and also couldn't get food easily.

The FISH SPEAR didn't work. He stood in the shallows an waited, again and again. The small fish came closer and closer and he lunged time after time but was always too slow. He tried throwing it, jobbing it, everything but failing with it, and it didn't work. The fish were just too fast. (Hatchet pg. 107)

Both Alex and Bria had to get to know the place well because they didn't know how long they were going to be there for. Both faced dangerous and difficult situations unfamiliar to them.

In conclusion, the two novels Hatchet and Forbidden City share some differences and similarities about the struggles of teenagers to face challenges and mature. The novels show how teenagers face a situation that they never thought they would be in. Also shows how their minds change completely. The novels also show how both teenagers change physically and how they get used to the society or nature habitat they are in. In the novels, both teenagers have lots of problems like family, society and personal and shows how they control them and solve them in a way most people wouldn't think of.