Introduction & Overview of Outcasts of Poker Flat by Bret Harte

Outcasts of Poker Flat Introduction

"The Outcasts of Poker Flat" was first published in January, 1869, issue of the Overland Monthly magazine, which Bret Harte edited. At the time, Harte was on the threshold of national fame The success of his short story "The Luck of Roaring Camp" the year before had elevated the twenty-nine-year-old writer to a position of literary prominence. Critics praised "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" as a suitable follow-up that confirmed Harte's stature as one of the most promising new authors In the United States By 1871 Harte was not only the highest paid writer in the country, but also one of the most popular. He was a regular contributor to the Atlantic Monthly, one of the most popular magazines of the day.

Although both Harte's popularity and critical admiration for his work have declined In subsequent years, "The Outcasts of Poker Flat" remains an important piece of American literature...
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