Reflection on "The Outcasts of Poker Flats"

While reading "The Outcasts of Poker Flats," I was impressed with the way in which the author presented the idea that no matter how strong or weak, good or bad a person may be, everyone faces death of their lives on earth. The author presented characters each unique from each other such as "the innocent" Piney, the adulterous Duchess, the quarrelsome Uncle Billy, and the calm Mr. Oakhurst. These characters were each very different form each other presenting multiple foils to each other in both intellect and physical abilities. The one thing they did all have in common was the world's rejection of themselves and their ironic strikes of bad luck. Harte uses the characterization of all of the characters in his story to show now matter how different man may seem from each other, they are closer to each other than they may seem.

Harte continues with his idea about man's fate and equality when Mother Shipton, the supposed strongest of the group, perishes. This contrast to the idea of the stronger will survive is extinguished as Harte reinforces the fragility of human life.In the end, Duchess and Piney, two completely opposite characters morally, die in each other's arms. Though direct foils of each other in virtually every aspect, the two suffer the same fate. Later, the cool headed Mr. Oakhurst is found dead after a successful suicide attempt. Before the unfortunate event of being outcast took place, the fate of the characters would never have been guessed to have such an unfavorable outcome.

By giving all the characters in his story such a terrible fate, Harte reinforces the idea that humans are immortal. We all share a common thread, just like the characters in the story were all outcasts. Through the use of characterization, Harte shows that everyone will eventually die here on this sinful earth: "But all human stain, all trace of earthly travail, was hidden beneath the spotless mantle mercifully flung from above" (Harte 541). The author shows his readers exactly how fragile life can be and the fate of human immortality. Whether we consider death the actual "end" or the start of a new life, however, is left up to the readers.