the outcasts of poker flat john oakhurst analysis

The narrative describes these exiles as working in unfavorable professions: John is a gambler, the two women are prostitutes. They're like having in-class notes for every discussion!, This is absolutely THE best teacher resource I have ever purchased. Mr. Oakhurst received his sentence with philosophic calmness, none the less coolly that he was aware of the hesitation of his judges. The wind quiets down as if not wanting to wake up. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. He returned to his pocket the handkerchief with which he had been whipping away the red dust of Poker Flat from his neat boots. Like many of the other outcasts, there is more to Mother Shipton that meets the eye, and her final good deed ensures that she resists easy categorization as moral or immoral. 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. John Oakhurst, a gambler, walks around Poker Flat on the morning of November 23, 1850. 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. If it where me I probably would have run off like Uncle Billy did. Analysis of The Outcasts of Poker Flat by John Oakhurst John Oakhurst is the main character in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat". Oakhurst resigns himself to the losing game before him, suggesting that he believes hes fated to die in the mountains. "The thought of deserting his weaker and more pitiable companions never perhaps occurred to him" Most situations require a leader, like the Governor in New Jersey during the recent hurricane. Comparing these two characters reinforces Mr. Oakhursts ethical nature. They have lost a lot of money and the morals of people are thought to be sinking. During a blizzard they take refuge in an isolated cabin, and conflicts break out among them. The Life and Times of the "Dapper Don," John Gotti John Gotti was born John Joseph Gotti, just got worse. 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. John is an outstanding person and has some phenomenal traits. Complete your free account to access notes and highlights. Wheeler, like many others on the committee, Would not have made it through AP Literature without the printable PDFs. [] Mr. Oakhurst knew that scarcely half the journey to Sandy Bar was accomplished, and the party were not equipped or provisioned for delay. At that time, law and order on the mining. You'll be able to access your notes and highlights, make requests, and get updates on new titles. 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. Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. The character of Jim Wheeler is likely a subtle nod to his long-time friend Mark Twains The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, whose main characters are Jim Smiley and Simon Wheeler. Another time when John Oakhurst shoes his trait of calmness is when he has to walk on foot back to Poker Flat to save Piney. PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem. 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. He notes that his penchant for gambling makes him a pariah, meaning someone who is rejected from society. Our, "Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. A blizzard traps them and a pair of innocent young lovers, leading to tragic consequences. This effect during the year created problems throughout their whole family. Struggling with distance learning? In the text, it states the following: "He pulled off his coat. It tells the story of the few "immorals" who have been exiled from the town of Poker Flat and their journey. The Duchess: The Duchess is a young prostitute with a flair for the dramatic. 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. In death, the Duchess is no longer defined by her profession as a prostitute or characterized as frail or tired. Once again, the landscape of the Old West is both beautiful and hostile, gentle and destructive. JOHN OAKHURST, Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. John is an outstanding person and has some phenomenal traits. Harte leaves this unresolved, forcing readers to form their own interpretation of Oakhursts life and death. On November 23, 1850, four such individuals are exiled from Poker Flat and warned not to return on pain of death. Here, the story implies that Oakhurst was the one who left them the firewood, also implying that he had no intentions of returning. Another time in which John displayed modesty is when he never boasts of winning all that money during card games. The narrator is regretful about this but notes that It is but due to the sex [] to state that their impropriety was professional. As for, The women who are banished are heavily implied to be prostitutes by their impropriety, or indecent behavior, that is also associated with a profession. 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. John has shown numerous times in The Outcasts of Poker Flat, that he is an extraordinarily calm person. Story by Bret Harte, published in 1869 and reprinted in The Luck of Roaring Camp and Other Sketches (1870). -Graham S. The timeline below shows where the character John Oakhurst appears in, but due to the sex [] to state that their impropriety was professional. As for, However, the members of the committee who have won money from, A group of armed men, meant specifically to intimidate, Mother Shipton swears bitterly. John Oakhurst. Although Oakhurst does lie and strategically omit information from Piney and Tom, he does so to protect them. She makes the comment that he is just common. Days later, pitying fingers dust the snow off of their faces. If you can hold your cards right along youre all right.. A decision is made for everyone to stay the night together, and the group takes shelter in a half-built cabin Simson has discovered. That hes only suspected of the theft implies that hes gotten away with stealing gold in the past, painting the Old West as a lawless free-for-all. 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. 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. This casts doubt on how Poker Flat measures morality and whether those it deems improper are worthy of that title and accompanying punishment. 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. (including. And its finding out when its going to change that makes you. No longer simply stealing gold from other peoples sluices, Uncle Billy commits a far worse crime in stealing the groups mules. During the story, Oakhurst is placed through a variety of situations that eventually lead to his subtle death. But turning to where Uncle Billy had been lying, he found him gone. He may have his vicesnamely, gamblingbut hes also prudent and wise. Following the loss of several thousand dollars and two horses, and the death of a notable resident, the town has formed a secret committee to rid itself of any "improper" people, hanging two and banishing others. The real Poker Flat was located in northern California (Sierra County). The Duchess becomes the child in need of protection, hinting at the transformative effect Pineys friendship has. 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. 831 Words4 Pages. The town's "moral atmosphere" has changed, and Oakhurst knows that the town is "after somebody." He reflects calmly that he's probably the one the town is aftera suspicion that soon proves correct. Hartes story is brimming with epithets, like the frail Duchess and the malevolent Mother Shipton. This is fitting, given that Homers the. Unlike the other exiles, Harte does not give Billy any redeemable qualities. Rising Action. the grim circumstances, Piney and Tom spend their days gazing contentedly into one anothers eyes. She is eager to marry Tom, but was forced to run away with him because her father disapproves of their union. 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. 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. ON THE 23rd OF NOVEMBER, 1850, They look so peaceful and innocent that the onlookers cannot tell which of them had been exiled for her immoral behavior. Piney and Duchess frozen to death. The Question and Answer section for The Outcasts of Poker Flat is a great While he was exiled, he is still portrayed as more virtuous and ethical than his companions. in. He even insists on returning Toms money to him after winning at cards. ENGLISH 000. homework. He is cool tempered, even keeled and has a calm manner about him. 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. This page was last edited on 1 February 2023, at 14:50. Mr. Oakhurst and be President at the same time. This committee decides who will be killed and who expatriated. Although his character is a professional gambler, Oakhurst carries a soft spot for his fellow exiles. 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. (including. 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 Duchess, Mother Shipton, and Uncle Billy. However, Oakhursts concerns about stopping speak to the tension between natures beauty and sheer power that runs throughout the story. Regardless, the kiss has an invigorating effect on the Duchess, who has been repeatedly described as frail and tired up to this point. LitCharts Teacher Editions. Teach your students to analyze literature like LitCharts does. Soon, the Duchess declares that she will go no further and insists they set up camp. PDF downloads of all 1699 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more. From the creators of SparkNotes, something better. A S 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. Walks around Poker Flat measures morality and whether those it deems improper are worthy of that title accompanying... From Piney and Tom spend their days gazing contentedly into one anothers eyes not give any. 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