John Oakhurst Main character Expert gambler Banished from Poker Flat Traveling to Sandy Bar with Mother Shipton, The Duchess, and Uncle Billy Commits suicide at the end of the story Tom Simson Nickname: "The Innocent" Traveling to Poker Flat with lover, Piney, to get married Continues the venture to Poker Flat in the snow for 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. The tension between immorality and morality rises to the forefront of the story here, as there is a stark difference between how Tom and Piney sing the hymn versus how the others do. 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. Instant PDF downloads. Tom is the very picture of bubbly, boyish innocence and enthusiasm, making him a foil for the serious, strong, and silent Oakhurst who has weathered many hardships. But turning to where Uncle Billy had been lying, he found him gone. Another time in which John displayed modesty is when he never boasts of winning all that money during card games. The towns moral atmosphere has changed, and Oakhurst knows that the town is after somebody. He reflects calmly that hes probably the one the town is aftera suspicion that soon proves correct. The Outcasts of Poker Flat. She forms a close bond with The Duchess. A sluice is a metal contraption that filters out water and dirt, leaving behind gold, so this passage implies that Uncle Billy may have been prone to stealing the fruits of other peoples labor. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. The protagonist of the story. Piney Woods used to work in a temperance housean occupation traditionally held in higher moral esteem than some of the occupations of her present company. In mistaking the Duchess for Oakhursts wife, Tom further reveals his innocence and naivete; he seems to assume that his hero, Oakhurst, would have a wife rather than be an outcast, and he doesnt fathom that the Duchess might be a prostitute. John Oakhurst serves as a tragic character that occupies a fatal middle ground between innocent and guilty, weak and strong. After a week in the cabin, Mother Shipton dies, having secretly and altruistically starved herself in order to give her rations to Piney. In order to reimburse themselves, they call for Oakhurst to be hanged, but the committee members who have managed to win money from Oakhurst suggest that he merely be banished. 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. She has to learn a new language and learn a new life in a different country. -Piney and Duchess die. Piney and Duchess frozen to death. Oakhurst and Tom again appear as one anothers foils, as Tom is lighthearted and fails to grasp the gravity of the situation, while Oakhurst is practical and prudent, searching for the trail and hiding the groups alcohol. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. The four characters get together and leave Poker Flat, heading for a one days journey to a nearby camp. Mother Shipton dies so that Piney can eat. The Outcasts of Poker Flat: Directed by Joseph M. Newman. The way the content is organized. Hartes story is brimming with epithets, like the frail Duchess and the malevolent Mother Shipton. This is fitting, given that Homers the. Although Oakhurst does lie and strategically omit information from Piney and Tom, he does so to protect them. He put his bag on the table, and opened it flat. John has shown numerous times in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat", that he is an extraordinarily . He believes in luck and fate. Because of Mother Shiptons affection for Piney, the woman dies a martyr rather than a sinnerPineys friendship allows Mother Shipton to be more than just a prostitute and an outcast. On his way out of town, he is joined by two women, the Duchess and Mother Shipton, and Uncle Billy, the town drunk and a suspected robber. "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" (1869) is a short story written by writer of the American West Bret Harte. That Oakhurst reacts with philosophic calmness begins to align him with Stoicism, a school of philosophy that centers around self-control, acceptance of the present moment, and avoidance and distrust of extreme emotion. 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. Don't try it over again." However, by now its clear that the Duchess and Piney have died. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. He and Oakhurst are well acquainted, as Oakhurst won a large fortune from Tom a few months ago but sympathetically returned it to the young man with a stern warning to never gamble again. As we go through all of the unfortunate events Mr. Oakhurst endures we reveal his . Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. The "law of Poker Flat" finally arrives at the cabin, only to find the Duchess and Piney frozen to death and embracing in a peaceful repose. John Oakhurst is a very interesting character, he is a very strong, well reserved man and a great leader.Yet at the same time he is the weakest of the outcasts. Uncle Billy is thoroughly volatile and increasingly unhinged in this passage. LitCharts Teacher Editions. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. [] Mr. Oakhurst knew that scarcely half the journey to Sandy Bar was accomplished, and the party were not equipped or provisioned for delay. the grim circumstances, Piney and Tom spend their days gazing contentedly into one anothers eyes. Bret Harte an American writer known for his touch of local color, settings of the California gold rush and his character stereotypes such as "the grizzled prospector, the dance-hall girl with a heart of gold, and the smooth gambler" (505) in his literary works. See in text(The Outcasts of Poker Flat). The story occurs in November, 1850, during the heyday of the California Gold Rush. Once the enemy was certain that the Parthians were retreating, the Parthians would suddenly turn around and shoot them in a merciless surprise attack. Harte leaves this unresolved, forcing readers to form their own interpretation of Oakhursts life and death. 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. Harte paints the moral and the immoral as a kind of spectrum and all the characters fall at different places on that spectrum throughout the story. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Because we are given Pineys real name before we learn much about her, we are led to assume that she might be different from the group of exiles. Tom mixes Greek myth with elements of the Western landscape, the result of which is an epic that imbues nature with a godlike strength and power. That Oakhurst abstains from alcohol speaks to the complexity of his character. All you know about it for certain is that its bound to change. GradeSaver "The Outcasts of Poker Flat Summary". A blizzard traps them and a pair of innocent young lovers, leading to tragic consequences. The Outcasts of Poker Flat study guide contains a biography of Bret Harte, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis. "He dropped a warning to the Duchess and Mother Shipton, who of course knew the facts of their associate's defection" Then he tells the two women he will accompany Tom as far as the canyon. 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. Refine any search. See in text(The Outcasts of Poker Flat). While Harte was known in his time for being a prominent anti-racist writer, one of his worksthe satirical poem Plain Language from Truthful James, also known as The Heathen Chineeunintentionally, On the third day in the mountains, the sunlight casts a warm, friendly glow over the snowy woods, as if in regretful commiseration of the past. But the snow piles higher and higher around the hut like a hopeless, uncharted trackless sea of white lying below the rocky shores to which the castaways still clung. The sky is clear, though, and. Get an answer for 'From the short story "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," how could you analyze John Oakhurst's character?' and find homework help for other The Outcasts of Poker Flat questions at . 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. He notes that his penchant for gambling makes him a pariah, meaning someone who is rejected from society. Although his character is a professional gambler, Oakhurst carries a soft spot for his fellow exiles. As he doesnt drink (it clashes with his profession as a gambler, which requires him to always have clear senses and sharp decision-making skills) Oakhurst remains on the fringes, watching the group quietly. That Uncle Billy delivers a Parthian volley of expletives suggests two things. As she did for Mother Shipton, Piney drew out the Duchesss goodness, ensuring that she cant be pinned down simply as she that had sinned., Near the head of the gulch, the people who found. Struggling with distance learning? On the morning of November 23, 1850, a gambler named John Oakhurst walks through Poker Flat, a small mining town in the American West. 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. John is an outstanding person and has some phenomenal traits. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. The stranger is referred to as such throughout the story, making it particularly striking that Hartes Jim Wheeler vehemently deems Oakhurst an entire stranger.. Oakhurst not only returns Toms money but also warns him to never gamble again, saving Tom from getting himself into a similar situation in the future. She dies quietly, and the group turns somber. They take inventory of their remaining rations and decide that they can stretch their supplies for 10 days if theyre exceedingly careful. Harte's story has been brought to film at least five times, including in 1919 with Harry Carey and in 1937 with Preston Foster . Mother Shipton begins to fade rapidly, and on the 10th day, she pulls Oakhurst aside and privately tells him that shes been starving herself, saving her rations so that Piney can live a little longer. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. ON THE 7TH DECEMBER, 1850. In hiding the whiskey, Oakhurst seems to be trying to prevent any more mishaps (readers may recall that Uncle Billys jocular idea of stealing the mules came to him when he was drunk) while also encouraging the group to be levelheaded and serious. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. As a result of this Tom feels positively towards Oakhurst. While on their rest, the group is met by a pair of runaway lovers on their way to Poker Flat to get married, Tom Simson (known also as "The Innocent") and 15-year-old Piney Woods. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. (including. Its agin justice, said Jim Wheeler, to let this yer young man from Roaring Campan entire strangercarry away our money. But a crude sentiment of equity residing in the breasts of those who had been fortunate enough to win from Mr. Oakhurst overruled this narrower local prejudice. In the context of Oakhursts banishment, the secret committee has a similar role to a card dealer who oversees players and makes sure they arent cheatingthe most powerful men in Poker Flat have the authority and clout to pass harsh moral judgments on their peers. His suicide spurs the question whether he was simply giving in to his bad luck or rather, decided he was no longer going to live by luck and took his life. "Temperance House" John is an outstanding person and has some phenomenal traits. Poker Flat has suffered a major blow to its reputation and sense of stability. He wrote essays such as Nevanglus. "The thought of deserting his weaker and more pitiable companions never perhaps occurred to him" However, Oakhursts concerns about stopping speak to the tension between natures beauty and sheer power that runs throughout the story. They have lost a lot of money and the morals of people are thought to be sinking. Oakhurst manages to maintain his calm demeanor throughout the rest of the story, no matter how difficult the circumstances. When he successfully wins a large amount of money from the leaders of the town, they have him permanently banished. She makes the comment that he is just common. document. Furthermore, he discovers that Uncle Billy has been up long before him and now is gone with all their horses and mules. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. A few of the committee had urged hanging him as a possible example, and a sure method of reimbursing themselves from his pockets of the sums he had won from them. Struggling with distance learning? He is cool tempered, even keeled and has a calm manner about him. The Outcasts of Poker Flat stream The Outcasts of Poker Flat online for free | Watch online movies through best free 1080p HD videos on desktop, laptop, notebook, tablet, iPhone, iPad, Mac Pro and more. One of the story's heroes, Oakhurst is occasionally frank but kind in motivation. It is but due to the sex, however, to state that their impropriety was professional, and it was only in such easily established standards of evil that Poker Flat ventured to sit judgement. Refine any search. The mention of gambling here draws an immediate comparison to Tom Simson and Mr. Oakhurst. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. He is described as a virgin who encounters the exiles while traveling with Piney Woods to get married. He describes them "un ravished bride of quietness" and " the 1960's. Oakhurst is faced with the latter punishment. It tells the story of the few "immorals" who have been exiled from the town of Poker Flat and their journey. The narrator interjects in this passage, guessing that Oakhurst probably isnt considering leaving his fellow outcasts behind. Even though Oakhurst is accustomed to social isolation as a gambler, his distance from societyand thus from the prospect of gamblingis beginning to wear on him. Lisez The Outcasts of Poker Flat and Other Tales en Ebook sur YouScribe - The story takes place in a Californian community known as Poker Flat, near the town of La Porte. Oakhurst is not a drinker. While he was exiled, he is still portrayed as more virtuous and ethical than his companions. 'Stand away from the door, all of you,' he commanded. The original text plus a side-by-side modern translation of. As they fall asleep, the Duchess and Piney are still placed into tidy categories of moral and immoral, virgin and prostitute, a dichotomy that the story is about to challenge head on. Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1699 titles we cover. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. Creating notes and highlights requires a free LitCharts account. From the beginning moments in the story of The Outcasts of Poker Flat, starting when there is talk in the town of Poker Flat about plans to rid the community of improper persons gambling main character, John Oakhurst, contained himself and remained cool and collected about the situation he was becoming aware of.Bret Harte's use of voice portrays a calming effect for the reader that lessens . LitCharts Teacher Editions. "You've starved yourself" 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. After the group buries Mother Shipton in the snow, scrawled in pencil, is the following message: Beneath this tree lies the body of, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Bret harte outcasts of poker flat. Share. The journey is difficult, though, as the town is one full day of intense and difficult travel away, the mountain pass is steep and narrow, and the cold air is harsh and unforgiving. Harte suggests that the line between good and evil is not nearly as sharp as we often think. On the morning of November 23, 1850, a gambler named John Oakhurst walks through Poker Flat, a small mining town in the American West. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Outcasts of Poker Flat by Bret Harte. Gazing at the granite cliffs and towering pine trees encircling him, as well as the threateningly cloudy skies above. A decision is made for everyone to stay the night together, and the group takes shelter in a half-built cabin Simson has discovered. Piney Woods, a "a stout, comely damsel of fifteen" who is engaged to Simson. 3 Tom Simson and Piney Woods arrive and join the outcasts. 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. At the granite cliffs and towering pine trees encircling him, as well the! '' and `` the 1960 's still portrayed as more virtuous and ethical than his companions find themes... 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