Final answer:
In Chapter 10 of 'The Hatchet', Brian's mood swings from determination to frustration as he confronts the challenges of survival in the wild, depicted by the changing weather and Brian's responses to it.
Step-by-step explanation:
In The Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen, Brian's mood undergoes significant changes in Chapter 10. At the beginning of the chapter, Brian is characterized by a sense of determination and resilience as he faces the challenges of surviving in the wilderness. He experiences moments of optimism as he learns to fend for himself. However, as the chapter progresses, Brian encounters new difficulties that challenge his endurance and ingenuity. When a porcupine enters his shelter and he inadvertently injures his leg while trying to shoo it away, his mood shifts to frustration and pain. Brian's struggle with the harsh realities of nature represents a pivotal point in the novel, which is marked by emotional highs and lows.
The textual evidence reflecting the change in Brian’s mood consists of descriptions of landscape, the challenge of the weather, and Brian's reactions to the events unfolding. The storm, for instance, is a symbol of both Brian's internal turmoil as well as the physical challenges he must overcome. His inner journey mirrors the thunderstorm raging outside, with fluctuating sentiments of desperation, fear, and eventual calm as the weather also shifts from violent to peaceful.
Thus, through vivid details and the portrayal of Brian's fluctuating emotions, Paulsen uses the natural elements as a narrative device to mirror and influence Brian's psychological state throughout Chapter 10.