The Outcasts of Poker Flat Questions and Answers
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
John Oakhurst's Character and Fate in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"
In Bret Harte's "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," John Oakhurst is a professional gambler depicted as both the strongest and weakest of the outcasts. He is characterized by his calm demeanor,...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Outcasts' Expulsion in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"
In Bret Harte's "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," the town expels four individuals deemed undesirable by a secret committee aiming to cleanse the community. The outcasts include John Oakhurst, a...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
How is Mr. Oakhurst both the strongest and the weakest in The Outcasts of Poker Flat?
Mr. Oakhurst is considered both the strongest and weakest among "The Outcasts of Poker Flat." His strength lies in his calm demeanor, leadership, and sense of responsibility, as he guides the group...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Describe the setting in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat."
The setting of the story is the most important element.
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Mother Shipton's characterization and fate in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"
Mother Shipton is characterized as a tough, shrewd, and caring woman who is initially seen as a hardened outcast. However, her true nature is revealed when she sacrifices her own food to ensure the...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Plot events occurring on the first and second days of the outcasts in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"
On the first day, the outcasts travel through a mountain range and decide to camp for the night. They awaken to find Uncle Billy has stolen their mules, leaving them stranded. On the second day, they...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
In The Outcasts of Poker Flat, when do you realize Uncle Billy is plotting against the other outcasts?
The realization that Uncle Billy is plotting against the other outcasts becomes clear when he feels excluded after Tom and Piney arrive with horses and provisions. Uncle Billy's distrustworthiness is...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
What elements of "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" make it regional fiction?
"The Outcasts of Poker Flat" is regional fiction due to its focus on the distinctive features of the Wild West, including typical characters like gamblers and prostitutes, and the setting during the...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
What does "Sabbath lull" mean in the short story The Outcasts of Poker Flats?
In "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," "Sabbath lull" refers to an unusual and ominous quietness akin to the peaceful calm typically associated with Sunday mornings when townspeople attend church. In the...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
The events and discoveries at the camp in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"
In "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," the camp experiences a series of events and discoveries that reveal the characters' true natures. They find themselves stranded due to a snowstorm, leading to acts of...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
What does the rescue party discover at the end of "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"?
The rescue party in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" finds the bodies of the Dutchess and Piney Woods locked in each other's arms, indistinguishable in death, as the snow erases their pasts. They also...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Why did John Oakhurst choose the two of clubs for his epitaph?
John Oakhurst chose the two of clubs for his epitaph in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" to symbolize his persistent bad luck. The two of clubs is one of the lowest and often considered an unlucky card...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
What decision has the secret committee of Poker Flat made and why?
The secret committee of Poker Flat decided to banish "improper persons" to improve the town's reputation after suffering significant losses, including money, horses, and a citizen. This decision...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
What are some examples of situational irony in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"?
Situational irony in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" includes John Oakhurst, an honest gambler, being exiled from a town named for a card game, and the "virgin" Piney Woods befriending prostitutes...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Tom Simson's Relationship with Mr. Oakhurst in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"
In Bret Harte's "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," Tom Simson, known as "The Innocent of Sandy Bar," shares a significant past with Mr. Oakhurst, a professional gambler. They previously met when Oakhurst...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
How does the Duchess evolve in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"?
The Duchess evolves from a melodramatic and immature woman into a compassionate and selfless figure in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat." Initially exiled for her sinful past, she undergoes a...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Why do Mr. Oakhurst and the others leave Poker Flat?
Mr. Oakhurst and the others leave Poker Flat because they are expelled by a secret vigilante committee aiming to "clean up" the town by removing undesirable individuals. This group, consisting of a...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
In "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," why doesn't John Oakhurst reveal Uncle Billy's actions?
John Oakhurst doesn't reveal Uncle Billy's actions to avoid alarming the innocent members of the group, Tom and Piney. After Uncle Billy deserts them, Oakhurst decides to maintain hope by suggesting...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Who is Piney Woods in Bret Harte's "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"?
Piney Woods is a fifteen-year-old girl in Bret Harte's "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," characterized as a "stout comely damsel." She runs away with Tom Simson to marry him against her father's wishes....
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
What are the examples of culture in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"?
The culture in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" is characterized by the moral and social values of the town. The citizens, aiming to preserve a certain standard, expel individuals like John Oakhurst, a...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Why does Mr. Oakhurst in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" push the group to continue toward Sandy Bar?
Mr. Oakhurst urges the group to continue toward Sandy Bar because the journey over the steep mountain range is difficult, especially in the advanced season approaching winter, making the trail narrow...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
In "The Outcasts of Poker Flat", what is implied about the power of innocence? Is it believable?
The story implies that innocence, as embodied by Tom Simson, provides a form of protection from the harshness and injustice faced by the outcasts of society. Despite their tragic ends, the outcasts'...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Why might Oakhurst be uneasy when Tom appears in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"?
Oakhurst feels uneasy when Tom Simson appears because Tom's arrival signifies worsening circumstances for the group. Oakhurst is aware that the camp is poorly provisioned and that Tom, being naive...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Why does Mr. Oakhurst believe camping en route to Sandy Bar in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" is unwise?
Mr. Oakhurst believes camping en route to Sandy Bar is unwise due to the harsh winter conditions and the group's lack of preparation. The journey involves crossing the Sierra Nevada, a challenging...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
What are the symbols in Bret Harte's "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"?
In "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," symbols include Poker Flat and the outcasts themselves. Poker Flat represents the New West's push towards order and civilization, while the outcasts symbolize the Old...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Why is Uncle Billy different from others in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"?
Uncle Billy is distinct from the other outcasts in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" because he is the only one guilty of a true crime—being a drunken nuisance and a suspected thief. Unlike the others,...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
In "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," who joined Mr. Oakhurst's group at camp?
At the camp, Mr. Oakhurst's group, consisting of himself, two prostitutes, and Uncle Billy, is joined by a young couple, Tom Simson and Piney Woods. Tom, known as "The Innocent," recognizes Oakhurst...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
How are Mr. Oakhurst and the Duchess described in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"?
Mr. Oakhurst is depicted as intelligent, well-dressed, and chivalrous, known for his profession as a gambler rather than any crime. He remains calm and abstains from alcohol, understanding the...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
What motivates the committee to act against Mr. Oakhurst?
The committee acts against Mr. Oakhurst because he serves as a scapegoat for the town's financial losses. As a skilled gambler, Oakhurst wins money from prominent townspeople, causing resentment. The...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
What punishment is Mr Oakhurst assigned in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" and why isn't he hanged?
Mr. Oakhurst is banished from Poker Flat instead of being hanged because he is known not to cheat at cards. Those who lost money to him recognize his fairness, which prevents the more vindictive...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
What archetypal character does Tom Simson represent in The Outcasts of Poker Flat?
Tom Simson in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" embodies the archetypal character of "The Innocent." He is characterized by his optimism, naivety, and unwavering loyalty. Despite his lack of poker skills...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Identify and explain one example each of euphemisms and comic irony in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat."
A euphemism in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" is the description of the outcasts as "the deported wickedness of Poker Flat," masking the town's hypocrisy in blaming its woes on individuals like a...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Did John Oakhurst do right by delaying Tom Simson's help in "The Outcasts of Poker Flats"?
The right choice was to wait until the last possible moment before sending Tom for help.
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Why don't Oakhurst and others tell the young couple the truth about their absence from Poker Flat?
John Oakhurst, the Duchess, and Mother Shipton are kind people who do not want to scare Tom and his wife.
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
What do the searchers from Poker Flat find at camp?
The searchers from Poker Flat find Duchess and Piney dead, holding each other for warmth, having frozen to death yet appearing peaceful. They also discover John Oakhurst's body, who shot himself...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
The meaning of "professional" and "impropriety" in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"
In "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," "professional" refers to someone engaged in an occupation, particularly one requiring special training or expertise. "Impropriety" denotes inappropriate or unethical...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Oakhurst's vulnerabilities and challenges in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat."
Oakhurst's vulnerabilities in "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" include his gambling addiction and his inability to escape his reputation. Despite his calm demeanor, he faces moral dilemmas and the harsh...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
Do modern Westerns originate from "The Outcasts of Poker Flat"?
Modern Westerns partly originate from Bret Harte's stories, including "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," which contributed to the genre's themes and character archetypes. While Harte's stories influenced...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
The committee's decision at the start of "The Outcasts of Poker Flat."
At the start of "The Outcasts of Poker Flat," the committee decides to banish a group of individuals deemed undesirable, including a gambler, a prostitute, and a drunkard, to protect the town's moral...
The Outcasts of Poker Flat
What is the exposition in "The Luck of Roaring Camp?"
Exposition refers to background information that is given in the beginning of a story. In "The Luck of Roaring Camp," Bret Harte begins with exposition, which is also referred to as "historical" or...