The Outcasts of Poker Flat, Bret Harte: Summary & Analysis

"The Outcasts of Poker Flat" is a captivating short story written by American author Bret Harte (1836-1902) and first published in the Overland Monthly magazine in 1869. The story played a significant role in establishing Harte's reputation as a talented writer, and by 1871, he became the highest-paid author in the country. Set during the California Gold Rush, "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" follows a group of undesirables who are expelled from a mining community and find themselves trapped in a mountain valley as they attempt to reach the next settlement. Plot Summary of "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" The narrative takes place in late 1850, in a mining community in California during the Gold Rush. After a series of crimes, the residents of Poker Flat decide to hang two individuals and banish several other "improper persons" and "objectionable characters" from their community. This group includes John Oakhurst, a skilled gambler; a prosti…