I believe that Penelope devised the contest with the bow and arrows in order to buy both herself and Odysseus more time. He was gone for a long time, but she kept believing he would return to her and they would be happy again. However, he was gone for more than 10 years, and many suitors now came to Ithaca in order to marry Penelope and rule there. She obviously didn't want that, so she created this contest knowing that nobody could win it besides Odysseus who is the best archer ever. What it reveals about her is her absolute faithfulness and devotion to her husband whom she hasn't seen in over a decade.
The main message of the story " The Outcasts of Poker Flat" would basically be : punishment without justice is as bad as the crime.
Hope this helps. (:
Explanation:
I think it is true I'm not sure