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Author Bret Harte

Prepared by Jack Urso, Technology Integrationist for the Virtual Learning Training Center.

Author Bret Harte (1836-1902) was born and raised in Albany, NY. Although not widely known today his short stories are filled with characters and situations from the 19th century American West and are similar to Mark Twain's early short stories. This Web Quest will familarize you with Harte and some of his short stories.

Task 1: Read about Bret Harte's life at the following links

• http://encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?z=1&pg=2&ti=761575496
• http://marist.net/~amlit/hoynne11.html
• http://search.biography.com/cgi-bin/frameit.cgi?p=http%3A//search.biography.com/print_record.pl%3Fid%3D15631

Task 2: Read about the connection between Mark Twain and Bret Harte? Read this short Mark Twain biography to find out.

• http://encarta.msn.com/find/Concise.asp?z=1&pg=2&ti=761555419

Task 3: Assignment

A) At the link below you will find three short stories by Bret Harte in the following order; The Luck of Roaring Camp, The Outcasts of Poker Flat and Tennesee's Partner. Check with your teacher about which one to read for this assignment.

• http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/harte2.html

B) Answer the six study questions at the following link.

• http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/harteques.html