It was experiencing a spasm of virtuous reaction, quite as lawless and ungovernable as any of the acts that had provoked it .” By expelling these “improper persons” and hanging two more for their crimes, the town leaders were hoping to improve the reputation of the town as well as perhaps settle a few disagreements with ...
What is the main message of the Outcasts of Poker Flat?
Bret Harte finalizes the confirmation his main message, which is that humanity runs deeper than external appearances and can’t be judged by lip-service and propriety , when Oakhurst selflessly offers himself as a sacrifice in the hope that the women might live.
Why did Oakhurst kill himself?
Why did Oakhurst kill himself? John Oakhurst is found that way underneath a playing card attached to a tree . Presumably, John Oakhurst wrote his own epitaph on the playing card and shot himself in order to more quickly end his life. In his mind, the alternative was either freeze to death or starve to death.
Why are the outcasts thrown out of Poker Flat?
The outcasts are thrown out of the town of Poker Flat because they are the undesirables of the town . Duchess, despite what her name implies, is not high class royalty in any way. She is the town prostitute; therefore, she is deemed a seedy character that should be expelled from the town.
What happened to Mother Shipton Poker Flat?
Like the Duchess, Mother Shipton is a prostitute who is exiled from Poker Flat along with Oakhurst and Uncle Billy. ... As the group’s circumstances grow increasingly bleak, Mother Shipton begins starving herself , secretly tucking away her rations.
What happened to Uncle Billy in The Outcasts of Poker Flat?
By morning, Uncle Billy is gone and the mules are nowhere to be found. The story never reveals what happened to Uncle Billy —whether he made it to the next town over or died in the pursuit—but he is nonetheless spared the long, agonizing death that the rest of the outcasts (plus Tom and Piney) are forced to endure.
What is ironic about the title The Outcasts of Poker Flat?
Therefore the central irony that underlies “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” is that the outcast’s behavior and kindness toward each other proves that they have qualities of mind and heart that society honors–even if their professions are on the less respectable side–while the morally guiding secret committee of Poker ...
Who is the most admirable character in The Outcasts of Poker Flat?
While all of the characters of Bret Harte’s “Outcasts of Poker Flat” easily engage the reader’s sympathy, with the exception of the treacherous Uncle Billy, it’s difficult not to feel that the heroic self-sacrifice of Mother Shipton makes her the most admirable of the group.
What is the climax of the Outcasts of Poker Flat?
The climax of “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” occurs when John Oakhurst fails to return to the cabin after seeing off Tom Simson on the latter’s snowshoe trek back to Poker Flat . It is at this point that the Duchess and Piney accept the imminence of death.
What happened to Mr Oakhurst at the end of the story?
Duchess and Piney stay in the cabin and when their fire dies they fall asleep hugging each other. They look so peaceful and innocent, that when the “law of Poker Flat” finds them, they are unable to tell which one is the sinner, so they turn away and let them be. As for the last, Oakhurst commits suicide .
Why did the town suddenly decide to clean up Poker Flat?
Why did the citizens suddenly decide to clean up Poker Flat? Why did they banish Oakhurst instead of hanging him? It is part of Oakhurst’s business, as a gambler, to be aware of what other people have on their minds, as in a poker game .
Who was kicked out of Poker Flat?
Jonathan Beutlich, M.A. The title, “The Outcasts of Poker Flat ,” is referencing the four characters who have been thrown out of the town of Poker Flat. Apparently the town of Poker Flat is a beacon of morality, because the town kicked out John Oakhurst, Mother Shipton, Duchess, and Uncle Billy .
Who all dies in the Outcasts of Poker Flat?
The shortest answer possible to your question is this: all but two of the travelers die at the camp. The travelers that wind up at the camp are John Oakhurst, Mother Shipton, Duchess, Tom Simson, Piney Woods, and Uncle Billy .
What makes Oakhurst at once the strongest and yet the weakest of the Outcasts of Poker Flat?
Harte ends the story calling John Oakhurst “at once the strongest and yet the weakest of the outcasts of Poker Flat.” The strength refers to the gambler’s bravery and composure in the face of death , but Harte also suggests that there are limits to this uncomplaining acceptance of hardship.
What explanation does Oakhurst give his ability to go without sleep?
What explanation does Mr. Oakhurst give for his ability to go without sleep? Because of his gambler lifestyle he does not need to sleep.
Is The Outcasts of Poker Flat realism or naturalism?
The theme deals with hidden goodness in people, which all of these charcters had. “The Outcast of Poker Flat” takes place in a Californian community known as “Poker Flat”. Four people are exiled to improve the frontier community. Naturalism is represented by the Exile of the Four people.
