Clemens, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Finish) -- American Literature, 1800-1915 (EL 266)
In the last chapter, we see everyone return home safely from the trip. Huck is now emancipated--meaning that his Pap, who left, ain’t ever returning, so that leaves Huck alone. Tom Sawyer is back home, and is looking forward to perhaps having more adventures. And Finally Jim is home, safe and sound, and $40 richer (which in those days--that was a lot). He also was taken “prisoner” by Huck and Tom, but now is safe, apologized to, and obviously as said above, given money too. Tom and Huck also made sure that was paraded around town by the other blacks in the area. The ending was a happy one, but it wasn’t happy in a sappy kind of way.
Posted by lougagliardi at October 31, 2005 11:15 AM | TrackBackYes, the cheese factor was minimal and I think that Clemens was really brave in his political statements at this time. Jim was my favorite character and i'd been rooting for him the whole time, so the ending and the lessons it taught really made the reading worthwhile. Did you get to the readings in the back where Hemingway criticized the ending severely?
Posted by: Erin at November 1, 2005 01:32 PMGreat point about the use of the ending Lou. The ending wasn't cheesy or sappy, it was meaningful, and really taught a lesson to the readers. Don't take for granted what has already been given to you. Notice that all of the white folk (except Tom and Huck) were greedy bastards. And Jim, who is obviously the protagonist, simply wanted his own freedom, and to be with his wife and kids. I love that he gets that, I love that pap is gone, and I love that Twain makes this ending meaningful, instead of really, really cheesy.
Posted by: Jason Pugh at November 1, 2005 11:26 AM