For many readers, the ending of a novel largely influences their perception of the book. While different readers prefer different endings, the desire for satisfaction is undeniable. According to editor Steve Moyise, “the most satisfying resolution occurs when an ending sums up, echoes, or refers to earlier moments in the story” (103). Unfortunately, in Mark Twain’s controversial novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, the ending only satisfies some; the appropriateness of the conclusion is often questioned. Despite Jim and Huck’s seemingly unnecessary trip down the Mississippi River, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has an appropriate ending that connects back to the beginning of the novel and keeps consistent character personalities.
In terms of Huck’s adoption, Twain does an exceptional job at connecting the ending of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn back to the beginning. In the beginning of the novel, Huck lived with Widow Douglas who made it her goal to civilize Huck. As part of his lessons, Huck begrudgingly learned about religion and manners. At the end of the novel, Tom’s
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Though Miss watson had many rules for Huck in the beginning of the novel, she meant well. This positive aspect of her personality was upheld in her decision to free Jim. According to Aunt Sally’s nephew Tom, she was so “ashamed” (Twain 289) she considered selling Jim away from his family that she “set him free in her will” (Twain 289). Similarly, Tom, an adventurous character always searching for his next thrill, remained true to himself by cherishing the bullet shot into his leg as a token of the experience. According to Huck, Tom wore the “bullet around his neck” (Twain 293). Tom enjoyed remembering the adventure as much as he loved partaking in it. Having an ending that kept the characters true to themselves enhanced the reader’s perception of the ending and made it appear more