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Character Analysis Of Mr. Oakhurst In The Outcasts Of Poker Flat

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In 1869, Bret Harte wrote a short story “The Outcast of Poker Flat.” This time period was during the gold rush, and he believed the Americans had no right to kill the Indians. He decided to write a short story explaining to the Americans how inhumane it was to kill the Indians and take over their territory. In “The Outcasts of Poker Flat,” Harte represents Mr. Oakhurst’s personality as easy going, calm, and unselfish. In “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” by Bret Harte, Mr. Oakhurst’s caring personality is tested multiple times throughout the short story, but he never gets upset or overwhelmed.
Mr. Oakhurst's personality is tested when he knew he could be kicked out of Poker Flat. In the short story, the townspeople have developed a committee that decides if someone needs to be banished from Poker Flat or if they can stay in the town. The committee is trying to decide if they need to terminate Mr. Oakhurst out of Poker Flat. Mr. Oakhurst’s profession is …show more content…

Oakhurst's personality continues to be tested when the party wants to stop on their adventure to Sandy Bar. The committee decided to dismiss the Duchess, Mother Shipton, Uncle Billy, and Mr. Oakhurst from Poker Flat. Mr. Oakhurst knew they had to make it to Sandy Bar that day or they would have been caught in snow. In “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” Harte explains, “At noon the Duchess, rolling out of her saddle upon the ground, declared her intention of going no farther, and the party halted” (8). This quote explains that even though Mr. Oakhurst knew that the party did not have time to stop, but his passive personality allowed the Duchess to stop anyways. He thought of life like the way he gambled. When the Duchess decided to stop and get off her horse, he knew it was like giving up in a poker match before it was fully played. Mr. Oakhurst’s personality was tested because he could have just left the party, but instead he stayed even though he knew they probably were going to get caught by the

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