Change of Heart
Robert South once said, “Innocence is like polished armor; it adorns and defends.” In the short story, “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” by Francis Harte, two young lovers unknowingly change the lives of their new outcast acquaintances for the better by demonstrating true love and wholesome innocence. The innocence displayed by the young lovers, Tom and Piney, has a life changing effect on the outcasts of Poker Flat.
Mother Shipton is overwhelmingly affected by the lovers’ acts of innocence. Her change of heart begins after she sees the young lovers exchange an innocent kiss. That kiss, as the author tells us, is nothing short of pure love. Being a prostitute, Mother Shipton is not accustomed to these acts of affection, so seeing …show more content…
The Duchess finds relief in Piney and sees her as a friend, something she is not used to having in the working world of prostitutes. This friendship begins when The Duchess first meets Piney and is infatuated with her stories. The author tells us that The Duchess was “listening with an interest and animation she had not shown for many days” (14). Piney’s simple stories of home bring a sense of peace over The Duchess that calms her and takes away the tension of their current predicament. Along with the stories, the lovers, in all their innocence, assumes that The Duchess is married to John Oakhurst. The Duchess adores this scenario and plays along, cleaning and reorganizing the cabin as if it were her own home. The Duchess has never experienced the life of being a wife, and lets this imagination distract her and ease her worry. The Duchess enjoys Piney’s innocence and naivety because it lets her escape and live a life she never had. It is evident that Piney has a large influence on The Duchess when in the final moments of their lives, The Duchess asks Piney to pray. The Duchess goes from a high maintenance prostitute to a caring friend and sentimental soul who wants to pray. The Duchess does a complete role change from the beginning of the story to the end; the innocence displayed by Piney and Tom change The Duchess
Robert South once said, “Innocence is like polished armor; it adorns and defends.” In the short story, “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” by Francis Harte, two young lovers unknowingly change the lives of their new outcast acquaintances for the better by demonstrating true love and wholesome innocence. The innocence displayed by the young lovers, Tom and Piney, has a life changing effect on the outcasts of Poker Flat.
Mother Shipton is overwhelmingly affected by the lovers’ acts of innocence. Her change of heart begins after she sees the young lovers exchange an innocent kiss. That kiss, as the author tells us, is nothing short of pure love. Being a prostitute, Mother Shipton is not accustomed to these acts of affection, so seeing …show more content…
The Duchess finds relief in Piney and sees her as a friend, something she is not used to having in the working world of prostitutes. This friendship begins when The Duchess first meets Piney and is infatuated with her stories. The author tells us that The Duchess was “listening with an interest and animation she had not shown for many days” (14). Piney’s simple stories of home bring a sense of peace over The Duchess that calms her and takes away the tension of their current predicament. Along with the stories, the lovers, in all their innocence, assumes that The Duchess is married to John Oakhurst. The Duchess adores this scenario and plays along, cleaning and reorganizing the cabin as if it were her own home. The Duchess has never experienced the life of being a wife, and lets this imagination distract her and ease her worry. The Duchess enjoys Piney’s innocence and naivety because it lets her escape and live a life she never had. It is evident that Piney has a large influence on The Duchess when in the final moments of their lives, The Duchess asks Piney to pray. The Duchess goes from a high maintenance prostitute to a caring friend and sentimental soul who wants to pray. The Duchess does a complete role change from the beginning of the story to the end; the innocence displayed by Piney and Tom change The Duchess