Final answer:
After Brian throws his hatchet at a porcupine, sparks are created, leading to the realization that he can make fire by striking the hatchet against rocks. This discovery is essential for his survival, providing warmth and the means to cook food.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the novel, the protagonist's experience with a porcupine indirectly teaches him how to make a fire. When Brian throws his hatchet at the porcupine, sparks are created as the hatchet strikes a rock, igniting a spark of inspiration in Brian.
He realizes that he can create sparks deliberately by striking his hatchet against a rock, which could potentially lead to fire.
This pivotal moment leads to the critical survival skill of making fire, which is a major turning point in his journey of self-reliance and survival in the wilderness.
The creation of fire is a foundational survival skill, providing warmth, protection, and the means to cook food, which reinforces the theme of self-discovery and human resilience against nature's challenges.