Compare and contrast Brian’s mental health before he returns to the woods with his mental health at the end of the novel. What causes the change in him? How does Paulsen illustrate the change that being in the woods brings to Brian’s mentality and identity?

Analyze Caleb’s character and how he influences Brian. What creates such a special bond between the two men in a short period? How does Paulsen use Caleb’s character to influence Brian’s process of self-discovery?

What events does Paulsen use in the novel to communicate the theme of nature’s unpredictability?