The Controversial Ending of Huckleberry Finn Samuel Clemens published The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in December 1884 under the pseudonym Mark Twain. This novel currently sells around 200,000 copies a year. Perhaps had he been informed it would rise to such popularity, Clemens might have written a more fitting ending. Excluding the ending, the majority of the novel is beautifully written, telling the story of a boy and a slave who are both seeking their own version of freedom. But this well written story falls flat in the end. Although there is popular belief that Huck, Tom, and Jim received the happy ending they deserved, ultimately the ending of the novel was inappropriate due to its unrealistic and uncharacteristic nature. Despite
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They claim that the ending is suitable because the good characters get their happy ending. “...[They] fixed him … and give him all he wanted to eat, and a good time, and nothing to do … and Tom give Jim forty dollars …” (Twain 220). Although the characters appear to get happy endings, it is only superficially so. Jim’s primary motivation throughout the entirety of the novel is his family. And while he is rewarded materially, it is never revealed what happens to him, and if he ever does see his family again. And it is impossible to ignore Sally and Silas’ rapid character growth that seemingly happens overnight. These two characters in particular have been portrayed as extremely racist. This cannot miraculously be erased, or at least not realistically. While the entire novel does call for a sense of extended disbelief, the ending is too perfect to be appropriate. Good does prevail over evil, but realistically there is a cost. Good does not naturally assert itself over evil. However, it is portrayed that way in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Tom, Huck, and Jim pay no
They claim that the ending is suitable because the good characters get their happy ending. “...[They] fixed him … and give him all he wanted to eat, and a good time, and nothing to do … and Tom give Jim forty dollars …” (Twain 220). Although the characters appear to get happy endings, it is only superficially so. Jim’s primary motivation throughout the entirety of the novel is his family. And while he is rewarded materially, it is never revealed what happens to him, and if he ever does see his family again. And it is impossible to ignore Sally and Silas’ rapid character growth that seemingly happens overnight. These two characters in particular have been portrayed as extremely racist. This cannot miraculously be erased, or at least not realistically. While the entire novel does call for a sense of extended disbelief, the ending is too perfect to be appropriate. Good does prevail over evil, but realistically there is a cost. Good does not naturally assert itself over evil. However, it is portrayed that way in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Tom, Huck, and Jim pay no