The Old West is a thoroughly dangerous place, as the outcasts are forced to leave one life-threatening danger (the unforgiving residents of Poker Flat, who have made it clear that the outcasts will be killed if they return) for another, the similarly rugged and hostile natural world. See in text(The Outcasts of Poker Flat). [] And pulseless and cold, with a Derringer by his side and a bullet in his heart, though still calm as in life, beneath the snow lay he who was at once the strongest and yet the weakest of the outcasts of Poker Flat. Poker Flat has suffered a major blow to its reputation and sense of stability. Refine any search. No worries or second thoughts about it. He describes them "un ravished bride of quietness" and " the 1960's. See in text(The Outcasts of Poker Flat). Things are looking increasingly bleak for the group. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Outcasts of Poker Flat by Bret Harte. During the exiless journey, The Duchess is melodramatic and theatrical, traits that annoy her fellow traveling companions. With snow on the ground and no mules to travel on, the group is stranded, possibly left to die in the mountains, and Uncle Billy is responsible. Tom Stinson: Tom Stinson, or Tom The Innocent, demonstrates characteristics that reflect his name. Piney and Duchess frozen to death. Teachers and parents! See in text(The Outcasts of Poker Flat). The story follows a group of exiled individuals who are forced to leave the town of Poker Flat due to their perceived immorality or deviant behavior. But not Mr. Oakhurst, he just gave him a swift kick in the stomach. Consequently a secret committee is elected. See in text(The Outcasts of Poker Flat). You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. John Oakhurst, a gambler, walks around Poker Flat on the morning of November 23, 1850. Crown Point High School. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. John has shown numerous times in "The Outcasts of PokerFlat", that he is an extraordinarily calm person. Browse Library, Teacher Memberships "As Mr. John Oakhurst, gambler, stepped into the main street of Poker Flat on the morning of the twenty-third of November, 1850, he was conscious of a change in its moral atmosphere since the preceding night." b. It was one of the peculiarities of that mountain climate that its rays diffused a kindly warmth over the wintry landscape, as if in regretful commiseration of the past. benefits team work.pptx. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. He is thrilled to see him, and the young couple decides to spent some time with the group, obviously unaware of the fact that they were exiled for being immoral. In ancient Iran, soldiers from the Parthian Empire developed a distinctive and highly effective battle technique: in combat, the Parthians would suddenly run away, as if fleeing in terror. As its unaccustomed to Sabbath influencesmeaning religion more broadly, and a day of rest specificallyit seems that Poker Flat is perhaps a noisy, unstructured, rowdy place. In point of fact, Poker Flat was after somebody. It had lately suffered the loss of several thousand dollars, two valuable horses, and a prominent citizen. (including. I believe he is this because of the traits listed above. They are loud, weak, pitiable, and drinking liquor when they should be making better use of their time and rations. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. Uncle Billy, a "suspected sluice-robber and confirmed drunkard". They are all now forced to wait out the storm with provisions that will likely only last for another 10 days. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Outcasts of Poker Flat by Bret Harte. 13. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. 'Stand away from the door, all of you,' he commanded. John has shown numerous times in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat", that he is an extraordinarily . The Outcasts of Poker Flat 1937 Passed 1 h 7 m IMDb RATING 5.9 /10 220 YOUR RATING Rate Western A California mining camp is plagued by a series of murders. Another example of when Mr. Oakhurst showed courage was when he kicked Uncle Billy to stop him from laughing. Complete your free account to request a guide. The historical Mother Shipton was a 15th-century prophetess who, in time, turned into a legendary figure known for predicting the Second Coming of Christ and the end of the world. "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" In the beginning of the story titled "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" readers find that the main character John Oakhurst is not as simplistic as he seems he is rather a complex individual that ultimately reflects realism because of how readers can relate to his life. (In actuality, it seems that the real Mother Shiptons predictions were all small-scale, regional ones.) Mother Shipton: Mother Shipton is an older Madame who takes on a maternal role in the group. From the outset, the story is concerned with morality and immorality, a dichotomy that Harte will complicate as he unveils his main characters. Characters Character Analysis Character Map The Outcasts of Poker Flat | Characters Share Context Character Analysis Have study documents to share about The Outcasts of Poker Flat? They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Pinned to a tree with a knife is a playing card, the deuce of clubs, upon which Oakhurst has scribbled his epitaph, claiming to have struck a streak of bad luck. Oakhurst, who shot himself in the heart, appears just as stoic in death as he did in life. My students love how organized the handouts are and enjoy tracking the themes as a class., Requesting a new guide requires a free LitCharts account. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Similarly, Piney is immediately characterized as childlike, meek, and pure, setting her apart from the two other womenMother Shipton and the Duchess, both prostitutesin the group. The residents hard-edged attitudes toward improper persons also further characterize the Old West as a dangerous, unforgiving place. Teachers and parents! All you know about it for certain is that its bound to change. Overall, I thin that John Oakhurst is a good person. Its not long before the group is snowed in. However, we are still given his birth name. They played Poker together, and Oakhurst won a great deal of money from him. Struggling with distance learning? "Piney Woods" Meanwhile, Oakhurst encounters young runaway couple, Piney Woods and Tom Simons, heading to Poker Flat to get married. That the committee members are deeply biased further suggests that the towns moral compass is not to be trusted. While its unclear just how long that gulch stretches, it seems significant that Oakhurst commits suicide at the head of the gulch, implying that he was perhaps not so far from town and could have made it there. A playing card, the two of clubs, is found pinned to the trunk with a note written on it: BENEATH THIS TREE Analysis of The Outcasts of Poker Flat by John Oakhurst John Oakhurst is the main character in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat". All improper persons must be done away with, whether in the form of hanging or exile. John is an outstanding person and has some phenomenal traits. After a week in the cabin, Mother Shipton dies, having secretly and altruistically starved herself in order to give her rations to Piney. Oakhursts makeshift tombstone is a playing card, which aligns with his worldview that life is a game of luckeither one has it or one doesnt. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. He is described as a virgin who encounters the exiles while traveling with Piney Woods to get married. Once a coarse, abrasive, sour woman, Mother Shipton reveals herself in this passage to be an extraordinarily kind and loving woman, even to the point of self-sacrifice. A decision is made for everyone to stay the night together, and the group takes shelter in a half-built cabin Simson has discovered. Bret harte outcasts of poker flat.Original edition Classic Comics in . In looking out at Poker Flat and cursing it vehemently, then, it seems that Mother Shipton is aware that her own end will be a tragic one. A blizzard traps them and a pair of innocent young lovers, leading to tragic consequences. cliffs and towering pine trees encircling him, as well as the threateningly cloudy skies above, Tom is fresh-faced and cheerful, delighted to have stumbled upon. Free Samples and Examples of Essays, Homeworks and any Papers. The fact that hes being punished so harshly on the basis of suspicion (plus his drunkenness, which doesnt seem to be debated) simultaneously suggests that the Old West is harsh, authoritarian, and unforgiving. The stoic gambler John Oakhurst shows the most class of all the members of the party in Bret Harte 's short story, " The Outcasts of Poker Flat ." He alone remains silent when the group is. Though perhaps theres nothing he can do about his situation right nowhes surrounded by towering walls of snowit still seems striking that he coolly accepts his death. The protagonist of the story, John Oakhurst is a serial gambler who is exiled from the Old West settlement of Poker Flat along with three other people whom the town has deemed improper: The chief antagonist of the story, Uncle Billy is a drunk and a suspected thief (he is believed to steal gold while other people are panning for it) who is exiled from Poker Flat along, The Duchess, whose real name is never revealed, is a prostitute in the Old West settlement of Poker Flat and is exiled for her immorality. Once again, the landscape of the Old West is both beautiful and hostile, gentle and destructive. Piney Woods, a "a stout, comely damsel of fifteen" who is engaged to Simson. Don't try it over again." The momentary excitement brought Mr. Oakhurst back to the fire with his usual calm. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Weve had a streak of bad luck since we left Poker Flat,you come along, and slap you get into it, too. Struggling with distance learning? He notes that his penchant for gambling makes him a pariah, meaning someone who is rejected from society. Mother Shipton has her guard up once she is exiled, but gradually she begins to let it down, eventually placing the needs of others above her own. the grim circumstances, Piney and Tom spend their days gazing contentedly into one anothers eyes. This casts doubt on how Poker Flat measures morality and whether those it deems improper are worthy of that title and accompanying punishment. This speculation furthers the idea that Oakhurst isnt some morally reprehensible criminalhe is principled and loyal, even if his fellow outcasts havent done anything to earn such loyalty from him. Tom is thrilled to see Oakhurst and excitedly introduces his fiance, Piney Woods, to the group. 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