1. Selection Focus 2-1

2. Literary Elements Trans. 2-1

3. To identify and describe character types in a short story 
To read and analyze a short story about four outcasts who must battle the elements to survive 
To identify and describe character types in a short story 
To describe and analyze the author’s use of local color
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Before 2-1

4. Click the Speaker button to hear more about Bret Harte.
Bret Harte was born in 1836 and died in 1902.
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Before 2-2

5. BACKGROUND The Time and Place A Closer Look at Language
After James Marshall discovered gold in California in 1848, mining towns sprang up almost overnight and small towns rapidly grew into cities. As fortunes were made and lost, a new way of life was established. The colorful incidents of western life and the vivid anecdotes of old-timers fired the imagination of Bret Harte, who used this material for his stories. 
A Closer Look at Language
Bret Harte was the first writer of the local color trend in American literature–a trend that was popular until the turn of the century. One technique Harte used to convey the local color of the West was to incorporate the vernacular, or local speech, into his dialogue. This technique creates vivid, realistic dialogue that typifies the time and place of the story.
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Before 2-3

6. VOCABULARY PREVIEW
impropriety: (n) the quality of being improper; improper behavior; p. 477 
expatriated: (adj) banished; exiled; p. 477 
malevolence: (n) a disposition to wish harm to others; ill will; p. 478 
equanimity: (n) evenness of temper; calmness; p. 479 
jocular: (adj) humorous; p. 480 
hypothesis: (n) an unproved explanation or assumption; p. 480 
seclusion: (n) separation from others; isolation; p. 481 
querulous: (adj) complaining; whining; p. 483
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Before 2-4

7. FOCUS ACTIVITY Discuss Setting a Purpose
Have you ever seen reruns of popular television Westerns such as Bonanza or Gunsmoke? What are your favorite films about the Old West? 
Discuss
In a small group, discuss some of the standard, or stereotypical, characters that appear in films or television series about the Old West. What makes these characters interesting or appealing? 
Setting a Purpose
Read to encounter a colorful cast of characters from the Old West.
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Before 2-5

8. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
Active Reading
Predict
Look at the story title and the picture on page 476 of your textbook.
What will the story be about?
Possible answer: The picture and title are ominous. The story will be about people who are isolated from society.
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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
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Reading 2-A

9. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
Literary Elements
Mood
Does the description of the setting in the opening paragraph establish a particular mood in the story?
Phrases like “Sabbath lull” that “looked ominous” create suspense by suggesting that something bad is about to occur.
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Reading 2-B

10. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
Critical Thinking
Inferring
What can be inferred about Mr. Oakhurst’s character based on his reaction to the fact that the men are probably “after” him?
Mr. Oakhurst’s reaction indicates that he is a calm, rational man who does not become frightened easily.
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Reading 2-C

11. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
Active Reading
Question
What does the narrator say about the people of Poker Flat in his claim that they judge only by “easily established standards of evil”?
He implies that the people of Poker Flat are not inclined–or are not philosophically sophisticated enough–to look past labels or professions to see whether people are good or bad.
As you read, decide whether you should judge the outcasts based on the sentiments of the secret committee.
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Reading 2-D

12. Author’s Craft E Descriptive Language
Note that, befitting Oakhurst’s profession as a gambler, Harte uses gambling terms to describe his approach to life.
Reading 2-E

13. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.F
Critical Thinking
Drawing Conclusions
What can you conclude about the Duchess, Mother Shipton, Mr. Oakhurst, and Uncle Billy based on each character’s actions as they leave Poker Flat?
The Duchess is fearful and proud; Mother Shipton is mean and callous; Uncle Billy is crude; and Mr. Oakhurst is calm and generous.
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Reading 2-F

14. Literary Elements G Theme
Naturalists believe that nature is a powerful, indifferent force in people’s lives. The “cold,” “wild” images of the mountain pass indicate that nature will be a similar force in the lives of the outcasts.
Reading 2-G

15. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
Author’s Craft
Foreshadowing
Oakhurst is hesitant to stop at the wooded amphitheatre.
How does the author use Oakhurst’s reluctance to foreshadow events to come?
Oakhurst’s thoughts warn the reader that danger lies ahead. Oakhurst knows that they do not have enough provisions to stop, yet they stop anyway.
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Reading 2-H

16. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
Active Reading
Evaluate
Evaluate the town’s decision to oust Mr. Oakhurst.
Based on what you have read so far, do you think this was a fair decision?
Possible answer: Oakhurst’s actions seem to provide no cause for his expulsion. Perhaps the committee members are motivated by their gambling losses.
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Reading 2-I

17. Literary Elements J Character
Think about the change in the Duchess’s demeanor after Piney Woods arrives. The mood among all the outcasts has changed since the arrival of Piney and Tom.
Reading 2-J

18. Author’s Craft K Setting
Note the language Harte uses to describe the setting in which the party has encamped. He says the wind “moaned through [the pine trees’] long and gloomy aisles.” The language helps set the bleak tone and highlights the devastating effects of nature on the outcasts.
Reading 2-K

19. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
Active Reading
Question
Why does Mr. Oakhurst decide not to awaken the others when he realizes what Uncle Billy has done?
Once he discovers that Uncle Billy has stolen the animals, he realizes that there is no point in awakening and alarming the others.
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Reading 2-L

20. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
Literary Elements
Setting
How does the mood of the outcasts contrast with the setting during the storm?
The jovial mood of the outcasts is juxtaposed with the violent images of the storm.
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Reading 2-M

21. Active Reading N Visualize
Visualize the storm abating at midnight, as the clouds part and the stars glitter. Compare this calm image to the tumultuous images of the storm in the preceding passage.
Reading 2-N

22. Literary Elements O Theme
Think about how Oakhurst’s sentiments about life reflect the Naturalists’ belief that people are helpless against fate (which Oakhurst, using a gambler’s language, refers to as “luck”).
Reading 2-O

23. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
Literary Elements
Personification
Personification is a literary term for the technique of endowing animals or inanimate objects with human characteristics.
How does Harte personify the sun on the third day?
He first describes it as “looking through” the valley at the outcasts and then endows the sun with a human emotion, referring to its “regretful commiseration.”
Personification is particularly effective here because one of the major conflicts in the story is nature versus people.
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Reading 2-P

24. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.Q
Author’s Craft
Foreshadowing
How does Harte use foreshadowing when he describes Mother Shipton cussing at Poker Flat?
He calls her cussing a “final malediction.” This curse is Mother Shipton’s last mean act before her death.
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Reading 2-Q

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Active Reading
Question
Why might the outcasts seem so content after a week in the cabin despite being trapped by the snow?
The outcasts may enjoy each other’s company; they may not be willing to face the severity of their situation.
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Reading 2-R

26. Critical Thinking S Evaluating
The narrator’s statement on page 483 that Mother Shipton was “once the strongest of the party” suggests that this is no longer true. As you read the rest of the paragraph, consider whether or not you agree.
Reading 2-S

27. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
Literary Elements
Character
How does Mother Shipton’s decision to sacrifice her food indicate a change in her character?
Her ultimate sacrifice indicates that she is no longer as selfish or as uncaring as she once appeared.
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Reading 2-T

28. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
Literary Elements
Setting
Note the descriptions of the setting after the storm abates–“the wind lulled,” the snow “flew like white winged birds,” and “the spotless mantle mercifully flung.”
What do these descriptions reveal about the conflict between nature and the outcasts?
Nature is now calm and peaceful because it has been victorious.
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Reading 2-U

29. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.V
Literary Elements
Symbolism
At the end of the story, Harte presents an image of the women, frozen, with peaceful expressions on their faces.
What might this symbolize?
In death they are innocent. The people who discovered them “could scarcely have told … which was she that had sinned.”
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Reading 2-V

30. Click a hyperlink to go to the corresponding content area.
Personal Response
Analyzing Literature
Literary Elements
Literature and Writing
Skill Minilessons
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Responding 2 Contents

31. PERSONAL RESPONSE
Did the ending of the story surprise you? Why or why not?
Response 2-1

32. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
RECALL
What has the secret committee of Poker Flat decided to do? Why? How is this decision carried out?
The committee banishes all “improper persons” because the town has suffered losses. The outcasts are marched to the outskirts of town and told not to return.
INTERPRET
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What is the narrator’s tone, or attitude, toward Poker Flat’s secret committee and its “improper persons”? What words convey that tone?
His tone is bitter: he emphasizes their hypocrisy by their “spasm of virtuous reaction,” unfamiliarity with “Sabbath influences,” and “lawless and ungovernable action.”
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Analyzing 2-1

33. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
RECALL
Summarize what happens on the outcasts’ first day together.
They head toward Sandy Bar, but stop when the Duchess declares she can go no farther. They make camp and are joined by Tom Simson and his fiancée, who are coming from Sandy Bar. Tom points out an old cabin, where the women sleep the first night.
INTERPRET
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What can you infer about Mr. Oakhurst’s character, based on the way he treats Tom and Piney?
He is honorable because he tries to stop them from delaying their trip and endangering their lives.
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Analyzing 2-2

34. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
RECALL
What happens on the second day in camp?
Uncle Billy has stolen the animals; the outcasts are snowed in; they fix up the cabin and get through the day by entertaining each other.
INTERPRET
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What do you learn about the characters, based on the way each one behaves on the second day in camp?
Oakhurst is protective; he doesn’t tell Simson and Piney about Uncle Billy. Tom is naive and generous; he offers the cabin to the outcasts. Piney is naive and good natured.
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Analyzing 2-3

35. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
RECALL
What happens to Mother Shipton? Why? What actions does Mr. Oakhurst take in the last part of the story?
Mother Shipton dies of starvation, having saved her food for Piney. Oakhurst kisses the Duchess, leaves, and shoots himself.
INTERPRET
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What do you think the narrator means when he says that Oakhurst is “at once the strongest and yet the weakest of the outcasts”?
He is strong because he assumes leadership and because he remains calm and rational. He is weak because he kills himself.
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Analyzing 2-4

36. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
RECALL
When the people from Poker Flat arrive at the camp, what do they find?
They find Piney and the Duchess dead in the cabin and Oakhurst dead under a tree.
INTERPRET
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In your opinion, what message, or lesson, does this story convey? Support your ideas, using details from the selection.
Possible answer: Hard times bring out the best in people. (Mother Shipton sacrifices herself, Oakhurst behaves selflessly, and the Duchess finds peace.)
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Analyzing 2-5

37. EVALUATE AND CONNECT
Which story character or characters do you admire the most? the least? Give reasons for your answers.
Analyzing 2-6

38. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
EVALUATE AND CONNECT
How does the author use foreshadowing to help prepare the reader for future events? Give specific examples.
The ominous tone of the first paragraph foreshadows future events. The party is not equipped for delay, foreshadowing their difficulties.
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Analyzing 2-7

39. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
EVALUATE AND CONNECT
Do you think the secret committee of Poker Flat is justified in acting as it does? Why or why not?
Possible answer: The committee is hypocritical. They oust Oakhurst, though many of them also gambled.
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Analyzing 2-8

40. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
EVALUATE AND CONNECT
Which story characters resemble the stereotypical characters you’ve seen in films or television series about the Old West? Explain.
Possible answer: The Duchess is the call girl, Oakhurst the hero, Uncle Billy the cheating drunk, and Piney Woods the ingenue (innocent or unsophisticated girl).
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Analyzing 2-9

41. EVALUATE AND CONNECT
Do you believe that people are sometimes capable of acting in a completely unselfish way–even sacrificing themselves for the good of others? Explain.
Analyzing 2-10

42. LITERARY ELEMENTS A character is a person in a literary work. 
Some characters are flat–that is, they reveal or represent a single personality trait. Stereotypes, or stock characters, such as the noble hero or the innocent young lover, are usually flat characters. 
A round character, on the other hand, shows varied and sometimes contradictory traits– just as real people do. 
A static character remains mostly the same throughout a story; a dynamic character grows and changes.
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Elements 2-1

43. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
LITERARY ELEMENTS
What flat characters does Harte create in this story? What personality trait does each character reveal or represent?
Uncle Billy represents selfishness and cowardice; Tom represents naivete; Piney represents innocence.
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Elements 2-2

44. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
LITERARY ELEMENTS
Who are the round characters in this story? What varied and contradictory traits does each one exhibit?
Mr. Oakhurst is both strong and weak; Mother Shipton is both mean and generous; the Duchess is both worldly and childlike.
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Elements 2-3

45. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answer.
LITERARY ELEMENTS
Who are the static characters? Who are the dynamic characters? Explain your choices.
Uncle Billy, Tom, and Piney are static; Mother Shipton, the Duchess, and Oakhurst are dynamic.
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Elements 2-4

46. Analyzing Local Color
When writers evoke a particular region by re-creating the language, customs, and geography of the area, they use a technique called local color.
In a few paragraphs, analyze how Harte uses local color in “The Outcasts of Poker Flat.” Explain how local color adds to your understanding of the story.
Lit & Writing 2

47. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answers.
Practice: Use a dictionary to find the etymology, or history, of each of the following words from “The Outcasts of Poker Flat.”
1. gulch:
perhaps from an English dialect gulch to gulp; from the Middle English gulchen
2. bellicose:
from the Middle English, from the Latin billicosus, from bellicus, of war, from bellum war
3. castanet:
from the Spanish, from castaña meaning chestnut, from the Latin castanea, from the Greek kastanea
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Minilesson 2-1

48. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answers.
Practice: Use a dictionary to find the etymology, or history, of each of the following words from “The Outcasts of Poker Flat.”
4. pastoral:
from the Middle English, from the Latin pastoralis, from pastor herdsman
5. pariah:
from the Tamil (Indian), paraiyan drummer
6. impropriety:
from the French, impropriété, or Latin, improprietat
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Minilesson 2-2

49. Click the mouse button or press the Space Bar to display the answers.
Practice: Use a dictionary to find the etymology, or history, of each of the following words from “The Outcasts of Poker Flat.”
7. malevolent:
from Latin, malevolent–from male, badly, and velle, to wish
8. equanimity:
from the Latin, aequanimitas or French aequo animo, with even mind
9. jocular:
from Latin, jocularis
10. hypothesis:
from Greek, hypotithenai
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Minilesson 2-3

50. Gram. & Lang. 2-1

51. active
passive
passive
Gram. & Lang. 2-2

52. Literary Elements Trans. 2-2 
sweet, innocent, naive
smooth, forceful, weak, thoughtful, capable of leadership  
rough, prone to emotional outbursts, uses foul language, mean, yet shows a flicker of altruism at the end  
Literary Elements Trans. 2-2