This story by Bret Harts tells a tale of of four outcasts that have somehow, all together, performed evil acts within the town they reside in. With a combined group of a saloon girl (Duchess), a brothel owner ("Mother Shipton"), a suspected robber (Uncle Billy), and a professional gambler (John Oakhurst), they are thrown out of the town. This is done in part because of a "cleansing" of bad elements and a way to get out the rift raft.
These four unfortunate travelers set out for the next town in hopes that they will be accepted and their mishaps will be over looked. They meet a couple along the way that do not see the wrongs of the band of misfits as the town of people do. But the road is long and harsh and they end up being confined to a abandoned cabin by a snow storm. When they go to retrieve help, Uncle Billy has made off with the horse and the mule. The ending of the story is tragic and you find that everyone dies except the young boy lover who is assume to have gotten the help that finds the bodies of the Piney Woods, the young girl lover and Duchess holding one another as they passed on. They also find the body of Mr. Oachurst lend up against a tree dead by his own hand with the pistol that laid by his side.
Some how, even though these band of misguided soul as the towns people describe them, they find a way to rectify their own wrongs in the end, but in such a way that they are still not saved according the Christian Doctrine. The story states that as Piney and Duchess are dieing they do not pray yet look so innocent as the law of Poker Flats find the bodies. Not repenting in the eyes of the church will not save you as because you are not asking forgiveness from the lord. Also, Mr. Oakhurst kills himself. This too is another sign from the church that even though it seems that he has rectified his wrongs, he is still considered a sinner.
Now my understanding, from the discussion we had in class, Harte is not trying to tell the story from a religious point of view but from the romantic ideal that a person can change from their evil ways given the right setting. I support this idea that anyone person can perform good deeds and that is can and will change an outlook on life.
This story to me presents a few life's lessons such as treat others as you would have them do unto you and also that a few good actions can change the lives of others surrounding you. Now the question is: Can you and I follow this road of change or are we too afraid to do so because of fear of being an outcast?
These four unfortunate travelers set out for the next town in hopes that they will be accepted and their mishaps will be over looked. They meet a couple along the way that do not see the wrongs of the band of misfits as the town of people do. But the road is long and harsh and they end up being confined to a abandoned cabin by a snow storm. When they go to retrieve help, Uncle Billy has made off with the horse and the mule. The ending of the story is tragic and you find that everyone dies except the young boy lover who is assume to have gotten the help that finds the bodies of the Piney Woods, the young girl lover and Duchess holding one another as they passed on. They also find the body of Mr. Oachurst lend up against a tree dead by his own hand with the pistol that laid by his side.
Some how, even though these band of misguided soul as the towns people describe them, they find a way to rectify their own wrongs in the end, but in such a way that they are still not saved according the Christian Doctrine. The story states that as Piney and Duchess are dieing they do not pray yet look so innocent as the law of Poker Flats find the bodies. Not repenting in the eyes of the church will not save you as because you are not asking forgiveness from the lord. Also, Mr. Oakhurst kills himself. This too is another sign from the church that even though it seems that he has rectified his wrongs, he is still considered a sinner.
Now my understanding, from the discussion we had in class, Harte is not trying to tell the story from a religious point of view but from the romantic ideal that a person can change from their evil ways given the right setting. I support this idea that anyone person can perform good deeds and that is can and will change an outlook on life.
This story to me presents a few life's lessons such as treat others as you would have them do unto you and also that a few good actions can change the lives of others surrounding you. Now the question is: Can you and I follow this road of change or are we too afraid to do so because of fear of being an outcast?
I really enjoyed readying the outcast of poker flat. I understood the reason for them leaving the town they were in and then go out looking for another town that will except them. I dont think anyone should except them for what they are because they were bad. So like in all stories its always someone thats going to do the opposite. Tom Simson he took them in and nothing good came out of it but death. I agree with moss on this story because it does present a life lesson which he tells us in his blog. Understanding who people are getting to know them first would have played a good act in this story. finding out what they were about before becoming friends with them as fast like Tom did.
ReplyDeleteI like what u had to say about the "Outcast" of Poker Flat. To some from of degree they needed to be kicked out. I think they could have went about it in a better way. Like puting them in a anther town, and getting them some help. Then after u built your town back up then ask them to come back.
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