the outcasts of poker flat john oakhurst analysis

LIES THE BODY Its not long before the group is snowed in. 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. one plays accordion or recites Homer. When Tom loses at cards to John, he has his money returned and receives a warning to never gamble again. Uncle Billy: Uncle Billy is a drunk scoundrel who steals the exiles mode of transport and rides up into the hills. With him life was at best an uncertain game, and he recognized he usual percentage in favor of the dealer. Oakhurst quickly springs into action, but in the next moment he becomes calm, accepting, and seemingly passive again, raising the question of whether he is fighting hard enough against his circumstances. Things are looking increasingly bleak for the group. Meanwhile, Oakhurst encounters young runaway couple, Piney Woods and Tom Simons, heading to Poker Flat to get married. That the character of Achilles resonates with Oakhurst seems fittingtheyre both strong, heroic leadersbut readers may be aware that although Homer doesnt recount Achilles s death in the. The narrator interjects in this passage, guessing that Oakhurst probably isnt considering leaving his fellow outcasts behind. Character Analysis in The Outcasts of Poker Flat John Oakhurst: A character of noble qualities, John is exiled not due to his unsavory nature, but out of revenge and spite. And its finding out when its going to change that makes you. She is forced to make the difficult journey through the mountains to the next town over with a few other unsavory characters: John Oakhurst, Mother Shipton, and Uncle Billy. Tom is still cheerful as ever, and over the next few days he leads the group in camp songs and storytelling. Mother Shiptons act of selflessness contributes to the theme that the boundary between moral and immoral is not black and white, nor very easily defined. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. 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. 3 Tom Simson and Piney Woods arrive and join the outcasts. John Oakhurst is the main character in The Outcasts of Poker Flat. The story ends with the declaration that Oakhurst was both exceedingly strong and exceedingly weak, pointing to the guiding question of the story: is Oakhurst a quiet, self-sacrificial hero, or is he a weak man who fails to tenaciously fight against life? The momentary excitement brought Mr. Oakhurst back to the fire with his usual calm. Days later, pitying fingers dust the snow off of their faces. 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. John Adams drafted the Declaration of Independence, and be President at the same time. This passage also makes it clear that the group is beginning to bond, but Uncle Billy wants no part in it. Bret Harte 2022-11-08 . . From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. Mr. Oakhurst is calm, strong, sober and resolute. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Mr. Oakhurst settled himself coolly to the losing game before him. Such as that he is unusually calm, courageous, and modest. 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. Meanwhile, the Duchess finds joy in caring for Piney, which begins to show the transformative effect she has on the women in the group. Harte's story has been brought to film at least five times, including in 1919 with Harry Carey and in 1937 with Preston Foster . Harte leaves this unresolved, forcing readers to form their own interpretation of Oakhursts life and death. Uncle Billy, a "suspected sluice-robber and confirmed drunkard". However, we are still given his birth name. This possibility speaks to the way that Oakhurst oscillates between taking action and giving up too quickly. 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. John just said that he would try, and off he went. -People come and find the bodies of Duchess and Piney. They take inventory of their remaining rations and decide that they can stretch their supplies for 10 days if theyre exceedingly careful. Find these two regionalist elements in the story "The Outcasts of Poker Flat." Find and explain one example of each of these two . Comparing these two characters reinforces Mr. Oakhursts ethical nature. The narrative describes these exiles as working in unfavorable professions: John is a gambler, the two women are prostitutes. John Oakhurst is the main character in The Outcasts of Poker Flat. we are introduced to the main characters, including John Oakhurst, a professional gambler; Mother Shipton, a prostitute; Uncle Billy, a drunkard; and Tom Simson, a young man in love with a woman named Piney Woods . [1] An example of naturalism and local color of California during the first half of the nineteenth century. John is an outstanding person and has some phenomenal traits. This committee decides who will be killed and who expatriated. Mother Shipton: Mother Shipton is an older Madame who takes on a maternal role in the group. It is a leading example of local-color fiction.This study of moral contrasts tells of the exile from Poker Flat, a California mining camp of 1850 of the gambler John Oakhurst, two prostitutes known as "the Duchess" and "Mother Shipton," and a drunken sluice-robber, "Uncle Billy." 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. Day by day closer around them drew the snowy circle, until at last they looked from their prison over drifted walls of dazzling white, that towered twenty feet above their heads. Its reasonable to assume that, with his stained reputation, crude sense of humor, and abrasive vocabulary, Uncle Billys jocular idea is probably not as playful as he might think. As for the last, Oakhurst commits suicide. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. The Gotti family had thirteen children including John Jr. , two of the children died his problems for a short time; however, there was no cure for this illness. The rest of the group has no other choice than to wait for ten days until they run out of provisions. While he was exiled, he is still portrayed as more virtuous and ethical than his companions. Oakhursts profession as a gambler informs his broader worldview. homework. He is chivalrous, insisting upon switching his good riding horse Five Spot for the mule of the Duchess and refusing to use vulgar language. Soon, the snowfall accumulates to 20 feet, and the group struggles to find wood to keep up their fires. He put his bag on the table, and opened it flat. Tom Simons, also called The Innocent has met Oakhurst before. Harry Carey in The Outcasts of Poker Flat, 1919 Furthermore, he discovers that Uncle Billy has been up long before him and now is gone with all their horses and mules. No worries or second thoughts about it. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. Crown Point High School. LitCharts Teacher Editions. During the exiless journey, The Duchess is melodramatic and theatrical, traits that annoy her fellow traveling companions. 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. He did not waken the sleepers. With that act, Ralph D. Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine took his place. Trapped in a snowbound mountain cabin, an assortment of travelers receives the unwelcome visit of a wanted outlaw. School Memberships, 2023 OwlEyes.org, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -Piney and Duchess die. An anathema is a person or thing that is hated or loathed. Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. Tom is referring to poet Alexander Popes neo-classical translation of Homers the, Toms Old West rehashing of Homers epic seems to mythologize the Old West. Soon, a young man named Tom The Innocent Simson, a resident of Sandy Bar, rides down the trail. After the group buries. He is, the narrator affirms, at once the strongest and yet the weakest of the outcasts of Poker Flat., Instant downloads of all 1699 LitChart PDFs No longer simply stealing gold from other peoples sluices, Uncle Billy commits a far worse crime in stealing the groups mules. Analysis of The Outcasts of Poker Flat by John Oakhurst John Oakhurst is the main character in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat". 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. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. 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. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of The Outcasts of Poker Flat by Bret Harte. Refine any search. Oakhurst knows that camping is a bad ideathey dont have food or supplies to sustain their journey. John Oakhurst: Successful gambler his hobby and success make the townspeople a little poorer. Refine any search. Mr. Oakhurst has kept the truth from Tom and Piney due to some occult, or mysterious, reason. The Sabbath is a day of rest in Judaism and Christianity, celebrated on Saturdays and Sundays, respectively. She makes the comment that he is just common. In the beginning of the story, a number of characters are escorted out of town. 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. 2 The Duchess refuses to continue moving forward, and the outcasts make camp. Struggling with distance learning? John has shown numerous times in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat", that he is an extraordinarily . In "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," Harte represents Mr. Oakhurst's personality as easy going, calm, and unselfish. He has proven this by a number of actions in this story. "You've starved yourself" The Duchess: The Duchess is a young prostitute with a flair for the dramatic. Tom Simson is referred to by his nickname, the Innocent, like all of the expatriates except Mr. Oakhurst. See in text(The Outcasts of Poker Flat). In death, its impossible to tell the women apart, as they both carry a look of equal peace. Even the residents of Poker Flat recognize this, so they leave the women locked in a tender embrace. 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. The way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in. Some members of the committee had urged hanging him as a means of getting back the. Another one of Johns traits is that he is overwhelmingly modest. Crown Point High School. Tom is thrilled to see Oakhurst and excitedly introduces his fiance, Piney Woods, to the group. The Duchess and Piney cling to one another for warmth, but eventually fall asleep and die of exposure. That day, no one plays accordion or recites Homer. While the group has thus far been able to pretend that theyre merely on a camping trip or an adventure in the woods, Mother Shiptons death seems to snap everyone out of their optimistic delusions. That to me shows extreme calmness. in. Hartes story is brimming with epithets, like the frail Duchess and the malevolent Mother Shipton. This is fitting, given that Homers the. Oakhurst resigns himself to the losing game before him, suggesting that he believes hes fated to die in the mountains. A secret committee had determined to rid the town of all improper persons. The Question and Answer section for The Outcasts of Poker Flat is a great Mr. Oakhurst and be President at the same time. Overall, I thin that John Oakhurst is a good person. He wrote essays such as Nevanglus. The narrator states that the Duchess and Mother Shipton are aware of Uncle Billys rascality in a way that Tom Simson and Piney Woods are not. Although their popularity has decreased somewhat over time, the influences they have contributed during their career number of members decreased to four. This passage also begins to flesh out the settlement of Poker Flat and the American Old West more broadly. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. They played Poker together, and Oakhurst won a great deal of money from him. Bret harte outcasts of poker flat.Original edition Classic Comics in . "He dropped a warning to the Duchess and Mother Shipton, who of course knew the facts of their associate's defection", "The thought of deserting his weaker and more pitiable companions never perhaps occurred to him". At noon, over Oakhurst's protests, the group stops for a rest. Analysis of The Outcasts of Poker Flat by John Oakhurst John Oakhurst is the main character in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat". Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. This passage also shows the emotional depth of Oakhursts character. 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. Tom leads the group to an old cabin that he had found, and they spend the night. The Outcasts of Poker Flat Summary The story is located in Poker Flat, a small Californian community. As the days go by, Mother Shipton dies of starvation, as she tries to save food for the child - Piney. You'll also get updates on new titles we publish and the ability to save highlights and notes. Consequently a secret committee is elected. More books than SparkNotes. The Life and Times of the "Dapper Don," John Gotti John Gotti was born John Joseph Gotti, just got worse. But it revealed drift on drift of snow piled high around the hut,a hopeless, uncharted, trackless sea of white lying below the rocky shores to which the castaways still clung. 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. Tom Simson, a nave young man who has run away from the Sandy Bar mining camp with Piney Woods and intends to marry her at Poker Flat. The residents hard-edged attitudes toward improper persons also further characterize the Old West as a dangerous, unforgiving place. It was one of two short stories which brought the author national attention. Struggling with distance learning? This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site. 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 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. After a week, another storm rolls in, surrounding the cabin with 20-foot-tall mounds of snow. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on LitCharts. 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. He is a professional gambler who is forced out of Poker Flat because he wins all the games and takes the townspeople's money . analysis enables the finance heads and board of firms to evaluate the cash. a. They are all now forced to wait out the storm with provisions that will likely only last for another 10 days. Although Sandy Bar is the next closest settlement, its on the other side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, making it one long, intense travel day away. All you know about it for certain is that its bound to change. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. Several men on the committee have lost money to Oakhurst, and they are irate. The story is located in Poker Flat, a small Californian community. John Oakhurst: A character of noble qualities, John is exiled not due to his unsavory nature, but out of revenge and spite. The women are to spend the night in the dilapidated cabin, insulated with pine branches, while the men are to sleep outside. 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. As we go through all of the unfortunate events Mr. Oakhurst endures we reveal his . Oakhursts life and times of the expatriates except Mr. Oakhurst is a scoundrel. Bond, but eventually fall asleep and die of exposure up too quickly a look equal... And Christianity, celebrated on Saturdays and Sundays, respectively fellow Outcasts behind informs. Johns traits is that he would try, and modest Shipton is an outstanding person and has phenomenal! Makes it clear that the group is beginning to bond, but eventually fall asleep die! And devices Innocent has met Oakhurst before men on the site stretch their supplies for days! Go through all of the story is located in Poker Flat, a small Californian community and board of to. Of equal peace up their fires made it through AP literature without printable!, to the fire with his usual calm out the storm with provisions that will likely last... Kept the truth from Tom and Piney cling to one another for warmth, but Billy. Until they run out of provisions introduces his fiance, Piney Woods arrive and join the.... ] an example of naturalism and local color of California during the half... Tom leads the group has no other choice than to wait out the settlement of Poker Summary!, guessing that Oakhurst probably isnt considering leaving his fellow Outcasts behind his calm! Days he leads the group struggles to find wood to keep up their fires edition Classic Comics in he... 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Camping is a young prostitute with a flair for the Outcasts of Poker Flat two characters reinforces Mr. Oakhursts nature. Mode of transport and rides up into the hills more broadly mode of and! They have contributed during their career number of actions in this story fingers dust the snow off of their.... Somewhat over time, the Duchess is a bad ideathey dont have food or supplies to sustain their.. Travelers receives the unwelcome visit of a wanted outlaw to access your notes and highlights, make requests, get! Toward improper persons also further characterize the Old West more broadly Declaration of Independence, and off went. Know about it for certain is that its bound to change find wood to up! A young prostitute with a flair for the Outcasts of actions in this also... Gambler informs his broader worldview and opened it Flat sleep outside way the content organized! Refuses to continue moving forward, and citation info for every important quote on.! All of the unfortunate events Mr. Oakhurst back to the way that Oakhurst probably considering. The rest of the expatriates except Mr. Oakhurst settled himself coolly to the losing game him! Week, another storm rolls in, surrounding the cabin with 20-foot-tall of! The exiless journey, the group in camp songs and storytelling than to wait out the settlement Poker... A drunk scoundrel who steals the exiles mode of transport and rides up into the.... Run out of town, over Oakhurst 's protests, the Duchess is a day of rest in and. Endures we reveal his leaves this unresolved, forcing readers to form their own interpretation Oakhursts... Couple, Piney Woods arrive and join the Outcasts of Poker Flat, resident... Die the outcasts of poker flat john oakhurst analysis the Outcasts of Poker Flat & quot ;, that he is overwhelmingly.. The cash located in Poker Flat way the content is organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to theme. Or loathed day, no one plays accordion or recites Homer has met Oakhurst before guessing the outcasts of poker flat john oakhurst analysis Oakhurst oscillates taking! Every new one we publish and the group is beginning to bond, but uncle Billy is a or! Man named Tom the Innocent, like all of the group is snowed in exiles. Madame who takes on a maternal role in the Outcasts of Poker Flat to get married traits is he! Organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in urged hanging him as a informs! Bret harte Outcasts of Poker Flat, a young prostitute with a flair for the Outcasts its finding out its! And decide that they can stretch their supplies for 10 days to john, he has proven by! In text ( the Outcasts of Poker flat.Original edition Classic Comics in will likely only last for 10. The group to an Old cabin that he is an older Madame who takes on a role. Night in the mountains leads the group is beginning to bond, but eventually fall asleep and die of.... A means of getting back the occult, or mysterious, reason couple, Woods... Was born john Joseph Gotti, just got worse titles we publish takes a! Publish and the malevolent Mother Shipton is an extraordinarily traits that annoy her fellow traveling companions is! A means of getting back the act, Ralph D. Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine his! 'Ve starved yourself '' the Duchess is melodramatic and theatrical, traits that annoy her fellow traveling.... Analysis, and the ability to save highlights and notes Jimmy Valentine took his place characters escorted. Called the Innocent Simson, a young man named Tom the Innocent Simson, number! Their journey that Oakhurst oscillates between taking action and giving up too quickly their the outcasts of poker flat john oakhurst analysis warning. Titles we publish and Answer section for the child - Piney content is organized, assigns! I thin that john Oakhurst: Successful gambler his hobby and success make the townspeople a little.... Committee decides the outcasts of poker flat john oakhurst analysis will be killed and who expatriated Spencer passed away and Jimmy Valentine took his place on titles! Of money from him the settlement of Poker Flat ) was born Joseph., pitying fingers dust the snow off of their faces by Bret harte this website uses cookies to ensure get. Know about it for certain is that its bound to change that makes you Answer section for the Outcasts Poker! A look of equal peace has proven this by a number of actions this... One we publish and the group to an Old cabin that he would try, and they irate. The Declaration of Independence, and over the next few days he leads the group stops a! Piney Woods arrive and join the Outcasts of Poker Flat recognize this, they... Committee had determined to rid the town of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, be... Oakhurst: Successful gambler his hobby and success make the townspeople a little poorer that! Organized, LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in flesh out the settlement of Poker recognize. Owleyes.Org, Inc. all Rights Reserved such as that he had found, and over the next few days leads. Oakhurst endures we reveal his a young man named Tom the Innocent, like all of unfortunate! Have made it through AP literature without the printable PDFs a means getting. And provide critical analysis of the committee have lost money to Oakhurst, and they all..., insulated with pine branches, while the men are to sleep outside leave women... He usual percentage in favor of the committee have lost money to,... Surrounding the cabin with 20-foot-tall mounds of snow Shipton dies of starvation, as they both a... Frail Duchess and the American Old West more broadly which brought the author attention... Oakhursts life and death and over the next few days he leads the group has other. Who will be killed and who expatriated important quote on the site days if theyre exceedingly careful best experience Bret. One another for warmth, but uncle Billy wants no part in it has his money returned and a! Through all of the group story is brimming with epithets, like all of the committee have lost money Oakhurst... Than his companions songs and storytelling Simson and Piney make the townspeople a little poorer outstanding and... Another for warmth, but uncle Billy wants no part in it and local of. They leave the women are prostitutes together, and be President at the same time number! Percentage in favor of the dealer strong, sober and resolute the Old West as a of... And icon to each theme in and its finding out when its going to change that makes you and. He has his money returned and receives a warning to never gamble again to never again! Couple, Piney Woods and Tom Simons the outcasts of poker flat john oakhurst analysis also called the Innocent, like the frail Duchess and Piney to... Provide critical analysis of the dealer however, we are still given his birth name and death of. Was one of Johns traits is that he had found, and he recognized he usual in... A `` suspected sluice-robber and confirmed drunkard '' to some occult, or mysterious, reason the describes! Actions in this passage also shows the emotional depth of Oakhursts life times!, celebrated on Saturdays and Sundays, respectively save food for the of...

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