The Secret

In chapter four of Hatchet we are finally introduced to what "the secret" is.  It has been referred to on multiple occasions throughout the novel previously but Gary Paulsen really never gave us much information about it other than it was something deep wondering around in Brian's mind that he did not necessarily want to think about.  Brian's parents are going through a divorce that is very tough and depressing for him.  He is confused as to why his dad is constantly upset. In chapter four, during a dream of Brian, we find out that "the secret" is that one day while riding his bike, Brian saw his mother kissing a man in a car that he could recognize was not his father.  Brian never told his father about this just because he had a funny feeling inside of him that he probably shouldn't.  This whole concept puzzled Brian and it wasn't until he was stranded in the middle of nowhere left to die that he understood what was happening that day when he saw his mother in the car with that odd man.  At that moment Brian experienced an epiphany.  He realized that his parents were getting a divorce because his mother was cheating on his father.  Brian became completely enraged with anger.  This secret was a symbol used by Paulsen.  "The secret" was a part of Brian's unconscious mind that did not want to come out.  It was so disturbing to him that when he saw it his mind couldn't process it all at once so his brain just stored it away.  It represented the breakthrough in the reason why Brian so felt so weird for a long time.  It was that moment when Brian understood "the secret", that Brian was able to understand a tremendous more about what was happening in his life.