How is Uncle Billy characterized?
The chief antagonist of the story, Uncle Billy is a drunk and a suspected thief (he is believed to steal gold while other people are panning for it) who is exiled from Poker Flat along with Oakhurst, the Duchess, and Mother Shipton.
Who is the most admirable character in The Outcasts of Poker Flat?
Several of the characters could be considered the most admirable in the story. It could be argued that Oakhurst is the most admirable because of his “philosophical calmness.” Oakhurst has the foresight to know that they should not camp for the night but should instead keep moving.
Who died in the Outcasts of Poker Flat?
The shortest answer possible to your question is this: all but two of the travelers die at the camp. The travelers that wind up at the camp are John Oakhurst, Mother Shipton, Duchess, Tom Simson, Piney Woods, and Uncle Billy.
Why does Oakhurst decide to not tell the other outcasts about Uncle Billy’s rascality?
Oakhurst could not bring himself to disclose Uncle Billy’s rascality, and so offered the hypothesis that he had wandered from the camp and had accidentally stampeded the animals. Oakhurst did not want to alarm the two Innocents–Tom and Piney–with the bad news.
Who are the main characters in The Outcasts of Poker Flat?
The Outcasts of Poker Flat Characters
- John Oakhurst.
- Uncle Billy.
- The Duchess.
- Mother Shipton.
- Tom Simson.
- Piney Woods.
- Jim Wheeler.
What is the theme of The Outcasts of Poker Flat?
Morality vs. Immorality. In Bret Harte’s “The Outcasts of Poker Flat,” a committee of citizens from a struggling mining town in Gold Rush-era California banishes a group of undesirable residents: John Oakhurst (a gambler), Mother Shipton and the Duchess (prostitutes), and Uncle Billy (a drunk).
What makes John Oakhurst both the strongest and yet the weakest of the Outcasts of Poker Flat?
Harte ends the story calling John Oakhurst “at once the strongest and yet the weakest of the outcasts of Poker Flat.” The strength refers to the gambler’s bravery and composure in the face of death, but Harte also suggests that there are limits to this uncomplaining acceptance of hardship.
Why does Oakhurst leave the camp with Tom?
John Oakhurst, the Duchess, and Mother Shipton sympathize with Tom “The Innocent” and his young wife, Piney, and do not want to frighten them. The outcasts fear that revealing their identities and crimes will cause the newlyweds to panic and attempt to leave the camp immediately.
Who was kicked out of Poker Flat?
The title, “The Outcasts of Poker Flat,” is referencing the four characters who have been thrown out of the town of Poker Flat. Apparently the town of Poker Flat is a beacon of morality, because the town kicked out John Oakhurst, Mother Shipton, Duchess, and Uncle Billy.
What happened to Mr Oakhurst?
As for the last, Oakhurst commits suicide.
How is The Outcasts of Poker Flat naturalism?
Naturalism is represented in this story by the real life like situations of certain characters. For example; John Oakhurst was a gambler who would destroy all opponents at a game of cards. He would also win their money and for that reason alone he was not liked.
Why are the outcasts thrown out of Poker Flat?
In an effort to save what is left of the town and reestablish it as a “virtuous” place, a secret society is created to decide whom to exile and whom to kill. On November 23 of 1850, four “immoral” individuals are exiled from Poker Flat and warned not to return on pain of death.
