This essay analyzes the examples of realism in Bret Harte's short story "The Outcasts of Poker Flat". It defines realism as accepting situations as they are and dealing with them accordingly. The story portrays its characters with moral judgments based on their past actions. Examples of realism include John Oakhurst calmly accepting his banishment, the characters expressing valid emotions for their situation, and dealing with problems through sacrifice. Overall, the essay argues that the story effectively uses multiple examples of realism to develop its plot and characters.

1. English Essay

2. The Outcasts of Poker Flat

3. Realism throughout Poker Flat
"The Outcasts of Poker Flat" by Bret Harte is a great story that comprisesof multiple examples of
realism. The layout of this story holds a great role in the outcome of the situations throughout the
story especially towards the end. In order to bring about examples of realism throughout the story
we must set a clear definition of what the word “realism” means in order to discuss why this
specific story shares a lot of characteristics that deal with realism. Realism is defined as the attitude
or practice of accepting a situation as it is and being prepared to deal with it accordingly. "The
Outcasts of Poker Flat" directly shows how four people are punished by being, banished from the
town for authentic acts of crime. John Oakhurst, the main character, is an obsessive gambler and is
in a lot of debt. The rest of the “criminals” are known as a prostitute and one is labeled a drunk and
another being a so called witch. Realism is a widely used aspect of life and writing especially when
connecting it with this short story. The characters in the short story are portrayed with a
predetermined moral judgment based on what they have done in the town. John Oakhurst is
judged as a gambler and Uncle Billy as a suspected robber of many different things. Uncle Billy gave
substance to this judgment when he stole the mules from the camp and left by himself, not telling
anyone and basically leaving it a surprise to the others. One of the examples of common facts is
reflected at the beginning of the story when the two men stop their conversation on seeing John
Oakhurst and exchange glances at one another. The way John Oakhurst accepts his judgment in a
calm and collected manner like a poker player is another example of realism in itself. When he
accepts it, it is a good indication that he is able to accept the situation that he is faced with. The
voicing of feelings by Duchess, bad language by Mother Shipton and abusive words from Uncle Billy
are valid reactions of people thrown into outcast. The sacrifice of John Oakhurst in order to save
the Duchess and Piney is also an example of common actuality and facing up to their problems and
dealing with them in the most difficult ways. The exaggeration of the description of the

4. geographical area to capture the local color is apparent in this short story. Overall, it is easy to fully
understand the examples that realism plays within the short story "The Outcasts of Poker Flat".