A Morally Ambiguous Character in “The Outcasts of Poker Flat”
In “The Outcasts of Poker Flat,” Bret Harte introduces a morally ambiguous character. In this story, a group of improper people is exiled from Poker Flat, and they face several difficult situations. Mr. Oakhurst, one of the exiles, steps up and acts as a leader. Throughout the story, Mr. Oakhurst portrays good characteristics despite the fact that he is exiled for being a gambler, which helps convey the idea that everyone has good embedded within. Initially, in “The Outcasts of Poker Flat,” Harte introduces Mr. Oakhurst as a gambler and emphasizes his kind nature. As the exiles are on their way to Sandy Bar after being banned, Mr. Oakhurst offers to horse to the Duchess. The author states, “With the easy good-humor characteristic of his class, he insisted upon exchanging his own riding horse “Five Spot” for the sorry mule which the duchess rode” (Harte 46). This statement portrays Mr.Oakhurst’s kind nature because he sacrificed his own …show more content…
In “The Outcasts of Literary Flat: Bret Harte as Humorist,” Kolb explains that Harte is known for being one who successfully uses local color and presents his characters as harsh, as well as adding a sense of tenderness. Kolb goes on to add that although Harte has little talents as a writer, he masters the technique of placing two or more things close together with foiling effects (59). Harte uses this technique several times in his story, “The Outcasts of Poker Flat,” presenting juxtaposition of character. Throughout the story, he shows Mr. Oakhurst, a gambler, having a kind, selfless personality. Often times the world holds up a magnifying glass to evil, ignoring people’s good characteristics and acts of kindness: however, Harte uses Mr. Oakhurst’s double-sided character to show that everyone has the capacity to be
In “The Outcasts of Poker Flat,” Bret Harte introduces a morally ambiguous character. In this story, a group of improper people is exiled from Poker Flat, and they face several difficult situations. Mr. Oakhurst, one of the exiles, steps up and acts as a leader. Throughout the story, Mr. Oakhurst portrays good characteristics despite the fact that he is exiled for being a gambler, which helps convey the idea that everyone has good embedded within. Initially, in “The Outcasts of Poker Flat,” Harte introduces Mr. Oakhurst as a gambler and emphasizes his kind nature. As the exiles are on their way to Sandy Bar after being banned, Mr. Oakhurst offers to horse to the Duchess. The author states, “With the easy good-humor characteristic of his class, he insisted upon exchanging his own riding horse “Five Spot” for the sorry mule which the duchess rode” (Harte 46). This statement portrays Mr.Oakhurst’s kind nature because he sacrificed his own …show more content…
In “The Outcasts of Literary Flat: Bret Harte as Humorist,” Kolb explains that Harte is known for being one who successfully uses local color and presents his characters as harsh, as well as adding a sense of tenderness. Kolb goes on to add that although Harte has little talents as a writer, he masters the technique of placing two or more things close together with foiling effects (59). Harte uses this technique several times in his story, “The Outcasts of Poker Flat,” presenting juxtaposition of character. Throughout the story, he shows Mr. Oakhurst, a gambler, having a kind, selfless personality. Often times the world holds up a magnifying glass to evil, ignoring people’s good characteristics and acts of kindness: however, Harte uses Mr. Oakhurst’s double-sided character to show that everyone has the capacity to be