The Outcasts of Poker Flat Questions

1. Which character did you admire most? Why?

2. At the opening of the story, what has the secret committee of Poker flat decided? What
motivates the committee to take action against Mr. Oakhurst?
3. Who joins the outcasts at their camp?
4. What effect do the newcomers have on the outcasts?
5. What does Mr. Oakhurst discover when he awakens after his first night at the camp?
6. What do you think happens to Uncle Billy?
7. What does Mother Shipton do with her rations? Why do you think she does this?
8. What explanation does Oakhurst give for his ability to without sleep?
9. Do you think Oakhurst knew their luck was going to run out? Explain
10. What does the rescue party discover?
11. What theme or message might their discovery – and this story – convey?
12. Although the characters in the story have little in common, they band together. For what
reasons do people, who may not know each other, tend to draw together in life? Explain

The Outcasts of Poker Flat

Essays

Choose two of the following three and complete them for homework

1. Harte says that Mr. Oakhurst was the strongest yet the weakest outcast of Poker Flat. Do you
disagree or agree with this statement? Write an essay stating your position, and use details
from the selection to explain it. Give examples of Mr. Oakhurst's actions if you agree, and if you
disagree, tell who you think were the strongest and weakest members of the group. (You may
cite two different characters, if you wish.) Again, support your explanation with several details
from the selection.

2. A two, or the “deuce,” is the lowest ranked card in poker. Why does Mr. Oakhurst choose that
card on which to write his eulogy? How is its use in keeping with his character? Write an essay
that answers these questions, and use details from the selection to support your statements.

3. Some readers are surprised to learn that Mr. Oakhurst commits suicide at the end of the
selection. Did this action seem within or outside of the character's prior behavior? Take a
position in your essay, and support it with details about Mr. Oakhurst and other examples from
the story.