When reading “The Outcasts of Poker Flats,” I noticed an abundant amount of characterization between the different characters in the short story. I also saw a good amount of imagery of the setting along with a certain essence of irony. Another concept that struck me as interesting was the main character’s view of Fate and Luck.
Mr. Oakhurst was a successful gambler who lived his life according to poker and Luck. Mrs. Oakhurst or the “Duchess,” was a kind woman who cared for the people around her. “Mother Shipton” was a woman who was thought of being a witch. “Uncle Billy” was suspected of stealing gold and being a drunkard. Tom Simson was also called the “Innocent.” He was a young man who was traveling with his fiancée, Piney Woods. All of these people were driven out of Poker Flats by “A secret committee [who] had determined to rid the town of all improper persons” (Harte 535). In a sense these people were criminals and outcasts of the town.
Bret Harte uses a good amount of imagery in the story to describe the setting in which they are staying which is a makeshift cabin. An example of this is shown by saying that “…over drifted walls of dazzling white that towered twenty feet above their heads” (Harte 540). This shows that they are surrounded by a wonderland of snow.
Mr. Oakhurst lived his own life by Luck and believed that Fate needed to be accepted. For example, during one point of the story Mr. Oakhurst “struck a streak of bad luck on the 23d of November, 1850…” (Harte 541). This shows that Mr. Oakhurst and his companions were in bad shape because of the weather. This resulted in his death which is ironic because most of the characters in the story had hope that they would reach the city in time. Therefore, I have observed many different literary elements in “The Outcasts of Poker Flats.”
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