Outcasts Of Poker Flat Analysis

The short story “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” is one major journey, not physically, but mentally for the characters. Though the story ends in tragedy, most of the characters go through major mental changes before their untimely deaths. Most of these changes were good changes, though some of them were negative such as Oakhurst becoming weak and Piney turning her back on her religion. However Piney becoming stronger and Oakhurst showing the extent of his compassion were major changes that proved to be positive for the characters. Though even some of the positive changes had negative consequences, such as Mother Shipton starving herself for her compassion of Piney, and Oakhurst making it impossible to survive by ensuring Tom made it to the …show more content…
One of the most unrecognized changes, though it was by no means irrelevant, in Piney was her turning her back on her religion. “No dear.” Piney was depicted as religious, but however, when The Duchess asked Piney to pray for them in their final moments, Piney refuses to pray for them. Another change seen in Piney through the story is her becoming stronger. “… but Piney, accepting the position of the stronger, drew near and placed her arm around the Duchess’s waist.” Throughout the story, Piney was referred to as “the child” and was cared for by the rest of the group, but near the end of the line, Piney becomes the stronger and comforts the Duchess. Piney, a 15 year old that was running away to be married, was hardened by the events that lead to her death, making her lose sight of her religion and becoming …show more content…
Although nearly all the characters died in the story, they all partook a mental journey or awakening before making the journey from life to death. Even though the trials that the group were presented with took their lives, it did not stop them from changing and becoming someone else, for better and for worse. John Oakhurst revealed his compassion for others, though he became weak-willed; Mother Shipton showed that under the cold skin she has a warm heart, though her care of Piney resulted in her death; The Duchess had an awakening to be religious, though she becomes the weaker of her and Piney; and Piney became stronger, though at the cost of her religion. Though the changes in these characters seemed spontaneous, they were actually a result from some inner sense of compassion that resides in even the most despicable human, forged by the desperate situation they were placed in. This compassion burned bright in the characters of John Oakhurst and Mother Shipton, with them placing themselves before death so that the others may yet live. This compassion was futile, except for saving Tom, but yet it manifested a new strength in Piney to care for and comfort The Duchess in their final moments. Though not all changes were positive, the character John Oakhurst, Mother Shipton, The Duchess, and Piney Woods all