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The Outcasts Of Poker Flat

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The Outcasts Of Poker Flat
Hammond 1
Kathryn Grace Eason Hammond
Mrs. When
Pre-AP English 10
25 November 2014
Tomato (tuh-mot-toe)
Journeys happen every day, internally and physically. Well known authors often use a physical journey to further the characters change. Bret Harte is successful in using a physical journey to alter the characters personality in
The Outcasts of Poker Flat.
Oakhurst, Uncle Billy, Mother Shipton, and the Dutchess all had one thing in common, they were banished from Poker Flat due to their actions. In
Bret Harte’s short story
The Outcasts of Poker Flat the party of misfits prove that even if people have corrupt actions, the can still be a good person.
The characters all reveal their true personalities in their vigorous journey. Mother Shipton changed in the journey and you notice this change when, “Give ‘em to the child,” (Harte). Before she and the group of outcasts were exiled from poker flat she owned a brothel. This is allowing sin to happen and encouraging sin in her everyday life. After they were on their trek to Sandy Bar and they were stranded she gives up her life for the innocent Piney. The journey brings out the goodness in her heart to die in hopes of saving an innocent young girls’ life. Mother Shipton was a spirited person and in the article it states, “Mother Shipton thought to be the strongest of the party, weakens.” The journey put her through hardships which she could not endure and finally gave in. Being strong doesn’t define you as a good or bad person. When Mother Shipton was at her strongest points she was a corrupt person, but when she gave in to the weather and the lack of supplies that they had she did a righteous act while she was at her weakest point.
The journey portrays unethical characters changing into fit characters. During the journey the
Dutchess changes and is show by in
The Outcasts of Poker Flat she said, “‘Piney can you pray’” (Harte).

Hammond 2
She was a lady of the night so when she lived in Poker Flat she made very

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