The Outcasts of Poker Flat is a short story written by Bret Harte. The title itself is quite intriguing, as it suggests that the story is about people who are not accepted by society and have been cast out from it. However, the irony lies in the fact that these outcasts are actually more morally upright and honorable than some of the other characters in the story who are considered to be upstanding citizens.
The story takes place in a small town called Poker Flat, which has decided to banish a group of people they consider to be “undesirable” from their community. The group includes two professional gamblers, a prostitute, and a drunkard. They are sent off into the mountains with very little food and supplies.
As the group makes their way through the wilderness, they come across a young couple who have also been cast out from their community for getting married against their parents’ wishes. The outcasts take pity on them and decide to help them by sharing their meager supplies.
As they continue on their journey, they encounter unexpected challenges such as harsh weather conditions and a potential attack by Native Americans. Despite these obstacles, the outcasts display courage and selflessness in helping each other survive.
Eventually, however, tragedy strikes when two members of the group die due to exposure to the cold weather. The remaining members realize that they must leave their deceased companions behind if they want to have any chance of survival themselves.
In a twist of fate, however, it is revealed that some of the townspeople who had banished them from Poker Flat have come looking for them in order to rob them of their meager possessions. In an act of selflessness and bravery, one of the outcasts sacrifices himself in order to give his companions a chance to escape.
The irony in this story lies in the fact that while these characters may have been considered “outcasts” by society due to their occupations or lifestyle choices, they display qualities such as kindness, selflessness, and bravery that are often associated with heroism. Meanwhile, some of the other characters in the story who are considered to be upstanding citizens are revealed to be selfish and cowardly.
In conclusion, the title of The Outcasts of Poker Flat is ironic because it suggests that the characters who are cast out from society are somehow lesser than those who remain within it. However, the story itself reveals that these outcasts possess qualities that make them far more admirable and heroic than some of the other characters in the tale. This serves as a powerful reminder that our judgments of others based on superficial factors such as occupation or appearance may not always be accurate or fair.
