Change is the act or becoming of turning into someone or something new. In the story The Outcasts of Poker flat by Brete Harte, Mother Shipton has changed throughout the course of the story. Mother Shipton is the manager of a Prostitution Center, she is also one of four characters; Uncle Billy, Duchess, and John Oakhurst, who are exiled out of the town. The four exiles venture to Sandy Bar to seek refuge. Along the way, they meet Tom Simpson and his fiance Piney Woods who is “a stout, comely damsel of fifteen”(Harte 454). Piney along with Tom Simson helps Mother Shipton change from being cold and malevolent to a more motherly & kind-hearted person.
When the author introduces Mother Shipton as one of the Outcasts, she said that she would like …show more content…
While parting ways: “they unlovingly exchanged a kiss,so honest and sincere that it might have been heard above the swaying pines. Duchess and Mother Shipton were probably stunned to remark upon this last evidence of simplicity”(Harte 455). Clearly, this means that Mother Shipton has never met anyone so pure before, and as the role of “Madam” in a Prostitution Center she has a duty to be strong and protecting to the prostitutes, therefore, receiving the name “Madam.” Over the course of the story, Mother Shipton finally becomes familiar with the group of Outcasts as well as Tom Simson and Piney. The author states: “I reckon now you’re used to fine things at Poker Flat,” said Piney. The Duchess turned away sharply to conceal something that reddened her cheeks through its professional tint, and Mother Shipton requested Piney, not to “chatter”(Harte 456). This tells us that Mother Shipton has become fonder of Piney. Mother Shipton later spends her time caring for the other Outcasts and in the end, she decides to kill herself so the group of Outcasts won’t have to use as many resources, this proves that Tom Simson and Piney helped Mother Shipton change to a more kind and understanding
When the author introduces Mother Shipton as one of the Outcasts, she said that she would like …show more content…
While parting ways: “they unlovingly exchanged a kiss,so honest and sincere that it might have been heard above the swaying pines. Duchess and Mother Shipton were probably stunned to remark upon this last evidence of simplicity”(Harte 455). Clearly, this means that Mother Shipton has never met anyone so pure before, and as the role of “Madam” in a Prostitution Center she has a duty to be strong and protecting to the prostitutes, therefore, receiving the name “Madam.” Over the course of the story, Mother Shipton finally becomes familiar with the group of Outcasts as well as Tom Simson and Piney. The author states: “I reckon now you’re used to fine things at Poker Flat,” said Piney. The Duchess turned away sharply to conceal something that reddened her cheeks through its professional tint, and Mother Shipton requested Piney, not to “chatter”(Harte 456). This tells us that Mother Shipton has become fonder of Piney. Mother Shipton later spends her time caring for the other Outcasts and in the end, she decides to kill herself so the group of Outcasts won’t have to use as many resources, this proves that Tom Simson and Piney helped Mother Shipton change to a more kind and understanding