When Was That?

Read this excerpt from Hatchet:


He had been riding his ten-speed with a friend named Terry.  They had been taking a run on a bike trail and decided to come back a different way, a way that took them past the Amber Mall.  Brian remembered everything in incredible detail.  Remembered the time on the bank clock in the mall, flashing 3:31, then the temperature, 82, and the date.  All the numbers were a part of his memory, all of his life was a part of the memory.


What is the purpose of leaving out the date when the other details are given?


a. The author wants to avoid giving too much detail which might bore the reader.
b. The author doesn't want the book to go too long.
c. The author wants the book to seem like modern day to the reader.
d. The date is not important.
















Scroll down for the answer.








a. is incorrect.  Details are important here to show that Brian remembers everything.
b. is incorrect.  Giving a date would not make the book noticeably longer.
c. is correct.  By not giving a date (specifically the year) the reader assumes it is modern day.  This is a common technique for authors.
d. is incorrect.  The date is just as important as the time and the temperature.

The film "A Cry in the Wild" was made based on this novel.  Here's the movie trailer clip - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5Lx2V6gNZQ