Question

1. which of these quotes from bret hartes \the outcasts of poker flat\ is most characteristic of the western genre?

there was a remembrance of this in his boyish and enthusiastic greeting of mr. oakhurst.
a secret committee had determined to rid the town of all improper persons. this was done permanently in regard of two men who were then hanging from the boughs of a sycamore in the gulch.
he started to his feet with the intention of awakening the sleepers, for there was no time to lose.
two or three men, conversing earnestly together, ceased as he approached, and exchanged significant glances.

Explanation:

🆕 New Concept Discovered: Identifying literary genre characteristics

Step 1: Understand the Western genre characteristics

The Western genre of American literature typically focuses on life on the frontier, frontier justice, lawlessness, vigilante committees, and the harsh realities of settling the American West. Key elements often include local color, rough frontier towns, and swift, extrajudicial punishment (like hanging or banishment) to maintain order.

Step 2: Analyze the given quotes

• Quote 1: "There was a remembrance of this in his boyish and enthusiastic greeting of Mr. Oakhurst."
• This quote describes a personal interaction and character emotion, which is common to many genres and not uniquely characteristic of the Western genre.

• Quote 2: "A secret committee had determined to rid the town of all improper persons. This was done permanently in regard of two men who were then hanging from the boughs of a sycamore in the gulch."
• This quote directly depicts frontier justice, vigilante action ("a secret committee"), and the harsh, violent reality of early Western settlements ("hanging from the boughs of a sycamore in the gulch"). These elements are highly specific and defining characteristics of the Western genre.

• Quote 3: "He started to his feet with the intention of awakening the sleepers, for there was no time to lose."
• This describes an urgent action, which is a common plot device in suspense, adventure, or drama, but not uniquely defining of the Western genre.

• Quote 4: "Two or three men, conversing earnestly together, ceased as he approached, and exchanged significant glances."
• This describes a suspicious or secretive social interaction, which is a general narrative technique used in many genres of fiction.

Step 3: Select the most characteristic quote

The second quote is the most characteristic of the Western genre because it highlights the themes of lawlessness, vigilante committees, and frontier justice that define Western local color fiction.

Answer:

A secret committee had determined to rid the town of all improper persons. This was done permanently in regard of two men who were then hanging from the boughs of a sycamore in the gulch.