HF is a great novel that challenges the ideals of the South in both the post and pre civil war years. When reading the novel one question continues to come up, “’What went wrong with Twain’s novel?’”(Marx 291) The ending of HF has been a subject of discussion since the book was published. It doesn’t seem to fit with the rest of the story nor does it give closer to the readers.
HF is divided into several story arches that are stories in and of themselves but at the same time is part of the over all story. All the arches are interconnected with common themes, and with each one Huck ideas are developing and changing. However at the end none of Huck’s growth has anything to do with the ending and the story closes without ever giving closure to any of the complex issues that it raises. It is a force happy ending that no one is really happy about.
Marx, Leo. “Mr. Eliot, Mr. Trilling, and Huckleberry Finn.” Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. 2nd edition. Ed. Gerald Graff, James Phelan. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2004. 289-304.
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This sounds really great so far. I never even thought about this part "However at the end none of Huck’s growth has anything to do with the ending and the story closes without ever giving closure to any of the complex issues that it raises" You're totally right. It's like all the lessons Huck's learned are for no reason. This is going to be a really good paper, look forward to reading the rough.
ReplyDeleteInteresting idea, the ending lacks coherence with the rest of the book in the same way that other parts (or episodes) of the book stand alone. I think that's what you are saying. What makes the ending different, I think you are saying is that unlike the other parts of the book which are strung together with overarching themes, the ending has nothing to do with the balance of the novel. Question I have is: what is missing from the ending that the other parts possess?
ReplyDeleteNicely written. Thanks Jonny.