“The Outcasts of Poker Flat” by Bret Harte is a story centered on the characters of a group of citizens banished from the town of Poker Flat. Emphasis is not placed on the crimes committed, which allows the reader to further sympathize with these characters without first making a judgment based on morality. The protagonist, John Oakhurst, together with the company of outcasts, makes his way through a rugged mountain range towards the town of Sandy Bar. At the insistence of the rest of the group, consisting of the Duchess, Mother Shipton and Uncle Billy, they delayed their voyage. During this time, the group meets a young couple Tom Simson and Piney Woods, also known as The Innocent and The Child; none of whom recognize the group as criminal. Mr. Oakhurst wakes up to find that Uncle Billy has abandoned the group and taken the mules with him. The group finds themselves stranded as the weather worsens. With inadequate transportation to cross the snow, the group finds themselves making the most of the few supplies they had. Mother Shipton sacrifices her portions for Piney and starves. Mr. Oakhurst, still the seemingly steadfast leader, encourages The Innocent to make his way through the snow to Poker Flat to find help. The citizens of Poker Flat arrive to find Piney Woods and the Duchess dead in each other's arms. By a nearby pine tree, Mr. Oakhurst is found dead with a bullet in his heart, "he who was at once the strongest and at the same time the weakest of the outcasts of Poker Flat." The theme of "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" illustrates that nature makes no judgment on the individual's character because all humans are susceptible to its power. Harte... middle of the card... is affected by the immaculate and kind-hearted human nature. The death of Piney Woods at the end of the story reconfirms the theme that nature shows no propensity towards moral character. On the other hand, Tom Simson's journey back to Poker Flat represents hope and the advantage of innocence over corruption. Harte's narrative style, word choice, and symbolic characters form a story about human nature and how it can best be observed when survival is the priority. objective. Faced with death, Uncle Billy chooses to save himself at the group's expense. The others, the alleged transgressors of Poker Flat, choose to selflessly turn to each other. Tom Simson and Uncle Billy, the two characters most likely to survive, represent the two opposite paths one can take in life. Death will not show prejudice towards those who are more righteous; even if the goodness of the heart will prevail in life.