Bret Harte’s short story “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” is one of the most anthologized examples of the subgenre of American literature known as Regionalism. The identifying characteristics of Regionalism include an emphasis on replicating dialect and speech patterns, highlighting the customs and traditions of a culture, and emphasizing the influence of geographical factors in the daily lives of the those living within the region being explored. The irrefutable master of Regionalism in American prose is, of course, Mark Twain, but “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” is as much an elemental entry into any serious overview of the subgenre as anything Twain ever wrote.
The Outcasts of Poker Flat Summary The story is located in Poker Flat, a small Californian community. Certain inhabitants of Poker Flat feel that the community is going down the hill. They have lost a lot of money and the morals of people are thought to be sinking. Christian Bible study guide verses quoted from New American Standard Bible & New King James Version. Lessons from Life Application Study Bible: NIV. Passage above credited to Lockman Foundation. I am an affiliate of products shown on this website. Accessing our website tells us you are happy to receive all our cookies.
'The Outcasts of Poker Flat' -Harte Examples of Regionalism and Local Color By: Nancy Kotnik, Anne Kish, Annie Bartholomew, Julia Nahrstedt, Audrey Quinn, Olivia Csiszar Plot Diagram Paragraph 20 'Mr. Oakhurst, sotto voce to the innocent,'If you're willing to board us. THE OUTCASTS OF POKER FLAT Selection Test A Comprehension Read each of the following questions. Then choose the letter of the best answer. (6 points each) 1. The outcasts ignore Mr. Oakhurst’s urging to continue toward Sandy Bar because they A. Are distracted by liquor B. Have found a good place to camp C. Are all tired from traveling D.
Like most writers who served to create the mythos of the frontier and the Wild West, Bret Harte was born back east. In fact, Harte hailed from about as far east as it is possible get in America: Albany, New York. A few years after gold was struck in California, Harte packed up and headed west where he would spend many years in aimless search of a calling while finding temporary employment in jobs ranging from teacher to file clerk. The one factor unifying all his many varied working experiences was the surrounding setting: mining camps and boomtowns. As a result, whether earning money from tutoring or prospecting for gold himself, what Harte took away from each job was greater insight into the what life was like for those also trying to find their fortune in such a rugged and undeveloped region of the world.
Life spend in the full-time company of miners eventually resulted in a wealth of material robust enough to fill story after story for Harte, but time has decided that “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” is his unqualified greatest creation inspired by his own real-life experiences. The story was initially published in Overland Monthly magazine in 1869 and today it is very difficult to find an American literature textbook which does include lessons on the story. The story was first adapted for film in 1919 and four more film adaptations followed. Somewhat surprising, perhaps, is the lack of a new film version of the story in more than half a century. Even more surprising may be that “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” has found success in a place far removed from that rugged, hardscrabble terrain in which it is set: opera houses across the world. The story was transformed into an opera in 1959.
It is in its original form as one of the literary foundations that helped to mythologize the American frontier that “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” still finds its widest audience, however, as a new crop of schoolchildren are introduced to the colorful inhabitants of Poker Flat with each passing year.
Questions with 'the outcasts of poker flat'? 1. With what diversions does the group amuse itself? In what sense does the group appear to have become a family?2. How would you characterize Oakhurst? In what sense is he 'the strongest and yet the weakest of the outcasts of Poker Flat'?
3. Which of the characters and situations in the story are recongnizable stereotypes that appear in modern fictions, movies, or tv shows about the West?
Oracle. replied: 'Study Guides.
.?p=the+outcasts+of+poker+flat+summary&y=Search&fr=ytff4-yff2&ei=UTF-8&rd=r1'
a little help with homework about The Outcasts of Poker Flat? a teacher assigned us a ton of questions about The Outcasts of Poker Flat and can you help me answer 2 of them?
1. what reason does Oakhurst give for his ability to to go without sleep?
2. Do you think Oakhurst knew their luck was about to run out? explain.
TheMadProfessor replied: 'The story is less than 10 pages long...is this really that tough for you to do yourself?'
In the story The Outcasts of Poker Flat? How do both the Duchess and Uncle Billy contribute to the fate of the outcasts?
*i have all the other questions, i just don't remember that one.
middle child replied: 'This might help:'
What effects do Tom and Piney have on all the outcasts except Uncle Billy? Why? The question is from the short story called 'The Outcasts of Poker Flat.' Please answer the question with thought and detail.
The Answer Man replied: 'The story revolves around four 'immoral' characters: John Oakhurst, The Duchess, Mother Shipton, and Uncle Billy. The four characters are forced to leave town together as part of the townspeoples 'cleansing' of bad elements. The party leaves Poker Flats in exile. On the way, they meet Piney Woods and Tom Simson, or Innocent, a old friend from gambling. By the request of the Duchess, the group sets up camp. Oakhurst awakens in the night to find a heavy snow storm raging around him. He also notices that Uncle Billy, the drunk, is gone with the mules that the party used for transportation. Harte ushers the rest of the party into a dilapidated cabin, where they remain, snowed in, with few provisions. After ten days in the cabin, Oakhurst and Innocent venture for help. The 'law of Poker Flat' comes to the cabin and sees the Duchess and Piney in a peaceful state, and they are unable to recognize who committed the crime in Poker Flat. Mr. Oakhurst is killed and buried beneath a tree. This story is an example of local color and realism during the Gilded Generation.
The main character, John Oakhurst, a gambler, is run out of town because of the money that he has won from the town's folk.'
What effects does Tom and Piney have on all the outcasts except Uncle Billy? Why? The question is from the short story called 'The Outcasts of Poker Flat.' Please answer the question with thought and detail.
glurpy replied: 'Even if you are a homeschooler, you should be asking these questions in homework help, not in the homeschooling section.'
What was the cause of the “Sabbath lull” in the air described in paragraph 1? What was the cause of the “Sabbath lull” in the air described in paragraph 1? Cite a passage to support your answer.
The question is from the short story called 'The Outcasts of Poker Flat.' Please answer the question with thought and detail.
Serendipity replied: 'The unaccustomed Sabbath lull was caused by everyone 'lying low' while the evil men who had plundered the area were sought for hanging and, in fact, two were already hanging. Also, members of a secret committe were after some of the prostitutes as well, so everyone was wary. I think this paragraph tells the tale:
In point of fact, Poker Flat was 'after somebody.' It had lately suffered the loss of several thousand dollars, two valuable horses, and a prominent citizen. It was experiencing a spasm of virtuous reaction, quite as lawless and ungovernable as any of the acts that had provoked it. A secret committee had determined to rid the town of all improper persons. This was done permanently in regard of two men who were then hanging from the boughs of a sycamore in the gulch, and temporarily in the banishment of certain other objectionable characters.
I regret to say that some of these were ladies. 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 in judgment.
s'
Back at the description of realism. What aspects of this story make it qualify for that category of fiction? Look back at the description of realism. What aspects of this story make it qualify for that category of fiction?
The question is from the short story called 'The Outcasts of Poker Flat.' Please answer the question with thought and detail.
Mary replied: 'please do your own homework and use your brain to actually think about the issue instead of siphoning ideas from others'
Look at the description of realism. What aspects of this story make it qualify for that category of fiction? The question is from the short story called 'The Outcasts of Poker Flat.' Please answer the question with thought and detail.
handbag replied: 'Fiction is a story about anybody at anytime doing anything.'
Imaka replied: 'I haven't read the book, but these sites should help you. Best of luck with it.'
ggirl replied: 'I haven't read the short story, but fiction means that it is not real. Even stories with some real truth can be considered fiction because they have had so much added that make them not totally realistic. Look for names of places that do not really exist. Characters that are over exaggerated. Then you can answer your questions.'
The Answer Man replied: 'WHAT gives these characters their lasting power? Why does that highly melodramatic tragedy in the hills above Poker Flat, with its stagy reformations, and contrasts of black sinner and white innocent, hold you spellbound at the thirtieth as at the first reading? Bret Harte believed, apparently, that it was his realism which did it. He had put the Western miner into literature as he was—hence the applause. He had compounded his characters of good and evil as in life, thus approximating the truth, and avoiding the error of the cartoon, in which the dissolute miner was so dissolute that it was said, “They’ve just put the keerds on that chap from the start.” But we do not wait to be told by Californians, who still remember the red-shirt period, that Roaring Camp is not realism. The lack of it is apparent in every paragraph describing that fascinating settlement.'
What does Harte mean at the end by saying that Oakhurst “was once the strongest and yet the weakest now? What does Harte mean at the end of the story by saying that Oakhurst “was at once the strongest and yet the weakest of the outcasts of Poker Flat”? Explain fully.
The question is from the short story called 'The Outcasts of Poker Flat.' Please answer the question with thought and detail.
blondes tease brunettes please.. replied: 'he wants attention.
thats it'
How does Harte’s writing demonstrate regionalism? Look for physical environment descriptions and examples.? How does Harte’s writing demonstrate regionalism? Look for both physical environment descriptions and examples of distinct western speech.
The question is from the short story called 'The Outcasts of Poker Flat.' Please answer the question with thought and detail.
lizabell79 replied:
'Hey kid...I'm an English teacher and I suggest you do your own homework. The answer is right there in the question for you. 'Look for both physical descriptions and examples of distinct western speech.' You won't learn anything if you ask the people on Answers to do it for you.'The Answer Man replied: 'Here are some examples
Speech patterns and words that are unique to that region of the country
'I reckon they're after somebody,' he reflected; 'likely it's me.'
'It's agin justice,' said Jim Wheeler, 'to let this yer young man from Roaring Camp--an entire stranger--carry away our money.'
The Outcast Of Poker Flat Study Guide Answers Guide
physical environment descriptions
He returned to his pocket the handkerchief with which he had been whipping away the red dust of Poker Flat from his neat boots, and quietly discharged his mind of any further conjecture.
A wooded amphitheater, surrounded on three sides by precipitous cliffs of naked granite, sloped gently toward the crest of another precipice that overlooked the valley.
The Outcast Of Poker Flat Study Guide Answers Key
He looked at the gloomy walls that rose a thousand feet sheer above the circling pines around him; at the sky, ominously clouded; at the valley below, already deepening into shadow.
The Outcast Of Poker Flat Study Guide Answers Questions
The Innocent with the aid of pine boughs extemporized a thatch for the roofless cabinBut 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. Through the marvelously clear air the smoke of the pastoral village of Poker Flat rose miles away.