- In 1852 Poker Flat produced $700,000 in gold in a single month and then celebrated the event with a string of triple hangings. First the streams were mined, and then hydraulic mining as well as some lode and drift mining took place through the early 1900s.
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Literary Analysis of Bret Harte's ‘The Outcasts of Poker Flat'
‘The Outcasts of Poker Flat' is a short story by Bret Harte. Written in 1869, it portrays one of the social realities happening within the period. The story remains to be a critique surrounding the labels and prejudice against people who are engaged in prostitution and gambling. Through the use of effective wordplay, Harte is able to advance the development of the story and its characters. Despite ending as a tragedy, the story presents important lessons and themes that enable readers to appreciate the realities that people had to accept in America's Wild West.
The story begins in a California town, Poker Flat, that some would say is experiencing an economic and moral decline. In an effort to save the town and reestablish its virtuous character, a secret council meets to decide who is unfit to live in the town. When the list is. 'The Outcasts of Poker Flat' (1869) is a short story written by author of the American West Bret Harte. An example of naturalism and local color of California during the first half of the nineteenth century, 'The Outcasts of Poker Flat' was first published in January 1869 in the magazine Overland Monthly.
One of the themes highlighted by Harte in his work reflects the pretentiousness and hypocrisy of the people within the Poker Flat Community. Arguably, their inclination to banish four people due to their ‘negative' contribution to the town remains to be founded with hypocrisy as people consider the acts of gambling and prostitution a significant way of life in the Wild West. From the perspective of Harte, his depiction of John Oakhurst, Duchess and Mother Shipton personifies these characters to be innately good despite their association to what local townsfolk consider as deviant and destructive (Kolb 54). As readers progress in the story, they are able to find out about the kindness of each one, except maybe for Uncle Billy and portray the community as hypocrites in trying to label these people as evil.
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Survival and sacrifice are also correlated themes evident in the story. As the outcasts try to survive the situation they were put in, it demonstrated the value system of each one. For instance, the decision of Mother Shipton to starve herself demonstrates her compassion and willingness to prolong the life of other outcasts before herself (Harte 1). The same can also be seen with Oakhurst as he hanged himself in a desperate attempt to enable others to survive and let them have the remaining ration. For Harte, the depiction of these characters indicates their willingness to serve the interests of other people such as Tom Simson. Likewise, it also argues that for people to survive there must be someone who is willing to sacrifice something. All these enable readers to realize and question whether or not the outcasts, except for Uncle Billy, deserve to be treated in such manner.
Another noticeable facet in the story is how Harte effectively develops the character of John Oakhurst. Specifically, his expertise in poker provides a powerful symbolism that enables readers to appreciate its relevance in the development of his personality. The most evident comes from the realization of how poker shaped Oakhurst identity. Here, he particularly demonstrates aptitude in understanding the different scenarios given to him and the foresight of what can potentially happen. Given these skills, he is able to masterfully outwit people and get their money in the process. However, there are also related challenges and misfortune associated with playing the game. Arguably, the thing that separates Oakhurst from the rest is his willingness to accept misfortune and bad luck as part of reality. Vip slots casino download. Seeing this, Harte then connects the game of poker to human nature and the necessary maturity it requires people to effectively master the game, both good and bad.
Seminole hard rock tampa poker tournaments. Overall, Bret Harte's ‘The Outcasts of Poker Flat' remains to be story that captivates and critiques the hypocrisy of society surrounding the promotion of certain values and ideals. By focusing on the good quality and attributes of the outcasts, the piece is able to demonstrate the hypocrisy of the Poker Flat community as well as the struggle of people the outcasts in order to help others survive. Likewise, Harte's use of words and symbolisms enable readers to undermine the challenges experienced by the outcasts, only to learn that they will die in the end. Putting these ideas altogether, Harte is able to bring forward the prejudice of American society and how imposing values to people further disengages the people to certain roles and functions.
Works Cited
Harte, Bret. ‘The Outcasts of Poker Flat' Gutenberg.org.Web. Accessed 29 August 2014.
Sparknotes The Outcasts Of Poker Flat Summary
Kolb, Harold. Jr. ‘The Outcast of Literary Flat: Bret Harte as Humorist' American Literary Realism 1870-1910, 23.2(1991): 52-63.
Outcasts Of Poker Flat Summary
Scharnhorst, Gary. ‘Bret Harte, Unitarianism, and the Efficacy of Western Humor' Literature and Belief, Literature and Belief, 21.1(2001): 93-102.
