Bret Harte "Plain Language from Truthful James"

1. What was the major theme in this poem?

2. What can we learn from the characters in the poem about the people of this time period.

3. What lesson can be learned from the plot if this poem.

4. What message was Hate trying to convey throught this work.

5. From reading this poem, do you think Harte was comfortable with the newly developed culture of the West? What was his reaction to America's expanding society versus it disappering frontier?

Since no one has answered since you first posted this question, you can safely assume no one here has read this story.

If you read these questions carefully, you'll see that all of them require YOUR OPINION and YOUR THOUGHTS about the story. You cannot write about what other people think. You must write about what YOU THINK about this story.

And that prompts this question from me: Have you read the story?

To answer your questions about Bret Harte's poem "Plain Language from Truthful James," we can examine the text and analyze the themes, characters, and plot to understand the author's message and perspective. Let's dive in!

1. The major theme in this poem is the idea of deception and betrayal. It explores the consequences of dishonesty and the contrast between appearances and reality. The characters' deceitful actions and the consequences that follow demonstrate this theme.

2. The characters in the poem offer insights into the people of that time period. For example, Truthful James, who presents himself as a trustworthy and honest person, is eventually revealed to be devious and manipulative. This can be seen as a commentary on the prevalence of deception and hypocrisy during that era.

3. The plot of the poem teaches us a lesson about trust and the consequences of deception. The character of Bill reveals the truth about the deception, highlighting the importance of veracity and the dangers of being misled.

4. The message that Bret Harte intended to convey through this work is that appearances can be deceiving, and it is essential to approach others with skepticism and critical thinking. The poem serves as a critique of the prevalent dishonesty and the need to unmask hidden motives.

5. From the poem alone, it is difficult to determine Bret Harte's personal comfort level with the newly developed culture of the West or his reaction to America's expanding society and disappearing frontier. To understand his perspective more fully, it would be helpful to explore his other works and writings, as they might provide more insight into his feelings about these subjects.

Remember, to gain a deeper understanding of any literary work, it is beneficial to read the poem carefully and analyze the author's style, symbolism, and historical context. Additionally, exploring related works and research on the author's life and beliefs can enrich your comprehension further.