Compare And Contrast The Outcasts Of Poker Flat

“The Outcasts of Poker Flat” by Bret Harte and “The Passing of Grandison” by Charles Chesnutt are both local color stories, meaning they are both “…are a pleasant and often sentimental presentation of typical life in a certain, definite locality that has characteristic speech, manners, and customs peculiar to itself. The pleasant portrayal of manners in the chosen locality is the primary aim of the local colorists or regionalists” (Local Color (Regionalism)-2 Notes). These two stories expressed heroism in different ways, and as a result of the different methods of expression, “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” is the better story, more worthy of study, than “The Passing of Grandison.” Although “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” and “The Passing of Grandison”

Both stories have powerful lessons of not doubting people because they are different. Throughout “The Passing of Grandison,” Dick Owens believes that Grandison is a dumb, loyal slave and that is the reason he is not leaving at every chance Owens is giving him. When in reality Grandison is just waiting for the perfect moment to escape with his family, including, “…his wife, Betty the maid; his mother, aunt Eunice; his father, uncle Ike; his brothers, Tom and John, and his little sister Elsie…,” which showed Dick Owens and Colonel Owens doubt of Grandison just because he was their slave (Chesnutt 650). In “Outcasts,” everybody exiled Oakhurst, Mother Shipton, the Duchess, and Uncle Billy because they seemed like unworthy people; however, as the reader continues with the story, they learn that most of these characters are good people.The reason that “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” is a better story is because it has an additional lesson of working together and sacrificing things for the ones you love. As stated in the second paragraph Mother Shipton makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Piney Woods, however, there are many more examples of sacrificing in this story. One example is when John Oakhurst gives Tom Simson his “…pair of snowshoes, which he had fashioned from the old pack saddle,” in order “…to save her yet," he said, pointing to Piney; "but it's there," he added, pointing toward Poker Flat. "If you can reach there in two days she's safe”” (Harte 490). John Oakhurst could have kept the boots and save himself, however, he knew he was never be allowed back in Poker Flats and the only two who were going to be able to survive the situation if there was help found was Piney and Tom. Overall, “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” has an overall better lesson than “The Passing of