The Outcasts of Poker Flat Bret Hart Born

The Outcasts of Poker Flat

Bret Hart Born 1836 Albany, NY Traveled West in 1854 An observer of the Gold Rush Worked as a teacher, tutor, clerk, and prospector and eventually, journalism as a typesetter, just like Mark Twain Eventually helped to launch Mark Twain’s career

Bret Harte Early writing Editor of Overland Wrote 6 -8 stories on which his reputation lays In 1871 was one of the most well-paid writers, headed east to write stories for The Atlantic Monthly Unfortunately, was unable to break from his formulaic stories Moved oversees to act as a consulate

Why Study this Author? Bret Harte is attributed with developing the Western genre Most of the Western character stereotypes came from him Capitalized on the nation’s romantic idealism of gold rush days http: //www. youtube. com/ watch? v=9 Qu. V 6 u-y 3 BM

The Outcasts of Poker Flats

Characters/ Sterotypes John Oakhurst: The Gambler Duchess: The prostitute with a heart of gold Mother Shipton: The Madame (prostitute) with actual mothering instincts Uncle Billy: The drunk/thief Tom Simson/The Innocent: Guileless youthmale Piney Woods: Innocent female (The Virgin)

Style Setting “Local Color” Genre Comic Relief

Themes Appearance and Reality Hypocrisy Change and Transformation Hidden Goodness/ Heroism Fate and Chance