Realism In Poke Flat

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Realism The short story "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" by Bret Harte displays several characteristics of realism. The characters in the story are depicted with a predetermined moral judgment. John Oakhurst is judged as a gambler and Uncle Billy as a suspected robber and a confirmed drunkard. Uncle Billy gave substance to this judgment when he stole the mules from the camp and left by himself. Tom Simson is referred to as Innocent in the story pointing to his character of innocence. One of the examples of common actualities is reflected at the beginning of the story when the two men stop their conversation on seeing John Oakhurst and exchange glances. The way John Oakhurst accepts his sentence in a cool, calm and collected manner like a poker player is another example. Venting of feelings by the Duchess, bad language by Mother Shipton and abusive words from Uncle Billy are valid reactions of people thrown into exile. The sacrifice of John Oakhurst in order to save the Duchess and Piney is also an example of common actuality. The exaggeration of the description of the geographical area to capture the local color is evident in this short story. The spot where the party halted on the first day is called singularly wild and impressive. It is described as a wooded amphitheatre surrounded by cliffs of granite on three sides and sloping over another cliff overlooking the valley. The use of words after the midnight storm and the sunrise on the third day - rolling of the clouds, the glittering of the stars, the coming out of the sun over the snow covered valley, the description of the snow - point to the picturesque. Psychological penetration is displayed in the thoughts and actions of John Oakhurst when the party halts on the first day. It draws a connection between the reader and the character and the gloomy natural scene gives a clue to
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