The short story “The Outcasts of Poker Flat” is one major journey, not physically, but mentally for the characters. Though the story ends in tragedy, most of the characters go through major mental changes before their untimely deaths. Most of these changes were good changes, though some of them were negative such as Oakhurst becoming weak and Piney turning her back on her religion. However Piney becoming stronger and Oakhurst showing the extent of his compassion were major changes that proved to be positive for the characters. Though even some of the positive changes had negative consequences, such as Mother Shipton starving herself for her compassion of Piney, and Oakhurst making it impossible to survive by ensuring Tom made it to the canyon. But the characters knew there sacrifices were necessary for the potential survival of the rest of the group. Though it was their undoing, their compassion was not a weakness, but it was a strength that manifested itself in the ones they cared for. That manifestation of strength shows itself in Piney near the end of the story. Though not all changes were positive, the character John Oakhurst, Mother Shipton, The Duchess, and Piney Woods all undertook major changes throughout the progression of the story.
Of the many characters that were developed throughout the story mentally, John Oakhurst was by far the most changed. Of the good changes that John Oakhurst went through, the most important was him showing compassion for…