One comparative essay.

The novels 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 overal 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 society and nature because they both survive in different circumstances. Alex is facing a political situation in Beijing in addition to other cultural differences he states "I wonder if my body will ever adjust to Beijing... (Forbidden Citypg 33}. Alex is feeling overwhelmed by the culture shock he is experiencing. Alex has to face cultural differences such as, the language, and the food. Similarily, Brian is also experiencing culture shock, however facing natural disaster and isolation. Shortly after the crash Brian panics "He felt his heartbeat increase as the fear started (Hatchet pg22). Both boys are facing the conflicts of being in unknown territories.
Secondly, the differences between the novels is the conflict between the main characters and their family. First of all Brian parents are divorced and he struggles a lot with that after he found out that his parents got divorced but he said "I feel lonely when those thing are happening". {Hatchet p. 54}Where as Alex he got homesick but he feels better with his dad by his side he said " I knew that no matter whose fault it was we had to face together"{Forbidden City p. 1o9}. But they are angry about the separation of their parents and Alex has learned to deal with the situation better that Brian.
Finally, the similarities and differences between the two main characters struggle for identity are the challenges they face. first of all Alex survives in a society that haves political problems like for example the students are protesting against the government. Whereas Brian he got lost in a wilderness he doesnt know and has to survived. So he knows how is feel like to be in the wilderness "send an S.o.S" (Hatchet pg 107).

In conclusion, the two novels show that there a lot of struggles between the main characters Alex and Brian however they changed at the end. Both of them matured and learned learned to survive in difficult places. Both characters became better people and appreciated more about their families and their lives.

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