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US and World/Bret Harte
1. Provide evidence from the story to validate or invalidate the following statements:
a) When times are rough, people will find scapegoats to blame for their troubles.
A few of the committee had urged hanging him as a possible example, and a sure method of reimbursing themselves from his pockets of the sums he had won from them. “It’s agin justice,” said Jim Wheeler, “to let this yer young man from Roaring Camp-an entire stranger-carry away our money.” Poker Flat had experienced a large loss of money, two valuable horses, and a prominent citizen, and decided to place blame upon “improper citizens” and kicked them out of the town.
b) When times are rough, people will come together and change their ways.
“Tom Simson not only put all his worldly store at the disposal of Mr. Oakhurst, but seemed to enjoy the prospect of their enforced seclusion. “We’ll have a good camp for a week, and then the snow’ll melt, and we’ll all go back together.” The cheerful gayety of the young man, and Mr. Oakhurst’s calm infected the others. The Innocent, with the aid of pine-boughs, extemporized a thatch for the roofless cabin, and the Duchess directed Piney in the rearrangement of the interior with a taste and tact that opened the blue eyes of that provincial maiden to their fullest extent.” When the “improper persons” were kicked out of town, they set out on a journey to Sandy Bar, a nearby town. However, they became caught up in a snowstorm and had to work together to stay alive as long as possible.
Regionalism - the writer captures the atmosphere of a particular region or area by describing the habits, appearance, and customs of its people. The writing includes the speech or dialect of the region.
2. Find and explain two examples of regionalist elements in the story.
“A secret committee had determined to rid the town of all improper persons.”-known as “vigilance committees”, these groups were formed in small Western towns during the 19th century to protect townspeople from threats to property and morality.
"when a man gets a streak of luck,-nigger luck-he don't get tired.”-the phrase “nigger luck” was a term used by westerners to describe an unexpected fortune.
Both these elements can be found in the story.
Euphemisms - the substitution of a mild, indirect or vague expression for one thought to be too harsh or blunt.
Comic Irony - the use of a word or a phrase to suggest the opposite of what is meant, emphasizing the difference between appearance and reality.
3. "It is but due to the sex, however, to state that their impropriety was professional..." (paragraph #3).
a) What does Harte mean by "professional"?
By “professional,” Harte meant the “impropriety” the ladies were being tried for was their occupation.
b) What is the ladies' "impropriety"?
The ladies’ “impropriety” was prostitution.
4. "Mr. Oakhurst did not drink. It interfered with a profession which required coolness, impassiveness and presence of mind..." (paragraph #10).
a) What is the usual meaning of "profession"?
The term “profession” normally refers to one’s occupation or career.
b) What is Mr. Oakhurst's "profession"?
Mr. Oakhurst was a professional gambler.
5. "The Duchess turned away sharply to conceal something that reddened her cheeks through their professional tint..." (paragraph # 20).
a) What does Harte mean by "professional tint"?
The “professional tint” Harte mentioned was the rouge the Duchess was wearing.
b) Why is the "tint" considered "professional"?
The “tint” was considered “professional” because the Duchess was a prostitute, and wearing excessive amounts of makeup was a part of her attire.
1. Provide evidence from the story to validate or invalidate the following statements:
a) When times are rough, people will find scapegoats to blame for their troubles.
A few of the committee had urged hanging him as a possible example, and a sure method of reimbursing themselves from his pockets of the sums he had won from them. “It’s agin justice,” said Jim Wheeler, “to let this yer young man from Roaring Camp-an entire stranger-carry away our money.” Poker Flat had experienced a large loss of money, two valuable horses, and a prominent citizen, and decided to place blame upon “improper citizens” and kicked them out of the town.
b) When times are rough, people will come together and change their ways.
“Tom Simson not only put all his worldly store at the disposal of Mr. Oakhurst, but seemed to enjoy the prospect of their enforced seclusion. “We’ll have a good camp for a week, and then the snow’ll melt, and we’ll all go back together.” The cheerful gayety of the young man, and Mr. Oakhurst’s calm infected the others. The Innocent, with the aid of pine-boughs, extemporized a thatch for the roofless cabin, and the Duchess directed Piney in the rearrangement of the interior with a taste and tact that opened the blue eyes of that provincial maiden to their fullest extent.” When the “improper persons” were kicked out of town, they set out on a journey to Sandy Bar, a nearby town. However, they became caught up in a snowstorm and had to work together to stay alive as long as possible.
Regionalism - the writer captures the atmosphere of a particular region or area by describing the habits, appearance, and customs of its people. The writing includes the speech or dialect of the region.
2. Find and explain two examples of regionalist elements in the story.
“A secret committee had determined to rid the town of all improper persons.”-known as “vigilance committees”, these groups were formed in small Western towns during the 19th century to protect townspeople from threats to property and morality.
"when a man gets a streak of luck,-nigger luck-he don't get tired.”-the phrase “nigger luck” was a term used by westerners to describe an unexpected fortune.
Both these elements can be found in the story.
Euphemisms - the substitution of a mild, indirect or vague expression for one thought to be too harsh or blunt.
Comic Irony - the use of a word or a phrase to suggest the opposite of what is meant, emphasizing the difference between appearance and reality.
3. "It is but due to the sex, however, to state that their impropriety was professional..." (paragraph #3).
a) What does Harte mean by "professional"?
By “professional,” Harte meant the “impropriety” the ladies were being tried for was their occupation.
b) What is the ladies' "impropriety"?
The ladies’ “impropriety” was prostitution.
4. "Mr. Oakhurst did not drink. It interfered with a profession which required coolness, impassiveness and presence of mind..." (paragraph #10).
a) What is the usual meaning of "profession"?
The term “profession” normally refers to one’s occupation or career.
b) What is Mr. Oakhurst's "profession"?
Mr. Oakhurst was a professional gambler.
5. "The Duchess turned away sharply to conceal something that reddened her cheeks through their professional tint..." (paragraph # 20).
a) What does Harte mean by "professional tint"?
The “professional tint” Harte mentioned was the rouge the Duchess was wearing.
b) Why is the "tint" considered "professional"?
The “tint” was considered “professional” because the Duchess was a prostitute, and wearing excessive amounts of makeup was a part of her attire.