by Graydyl

Created on: May 18, 2010

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Consistency between the Beginning and the Ending

            Many readers regret having read The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain on account of the novel’s alleged inconsistency between its earlier themes and later themes. This inconsistency is best portrayed in Bernard De Voto’s description of the ending as abrupt and chilling (Marx 292). Voto is referring to the sudden shift in the plot where Tom’s role at the Phelps farm overshadows Huck’s role. Although the novel does end in a rather abrupt way, it is actually very consistent with the themes portrayed in the earlier sections. For example, several critics such as T.S. Eliot have described the ending as apt and necessary (Twain 280). In fact, many critics have argued that the novel could not have ended in any other way. The ending is very appropriate for the novel and reiterates the themes present in the earlier sections. Such aptness is depicted best by the actions of the Tom Sawyer, Huck Finn and Jim.

            The first major consistent theme is Tom’s dominance. Tom’s dominance of the plot is present in both the opening chapters and the closing chapters. His influential role in the plot first occurs in the formation of Tom Sawyer’s Gang. Tom dismisses any challenges to his plans and corroborates his ideas with factual information from books. In a disagreement with one of the gang members, Tom says the following: “Don’t I tell you its in the books? Do you want to go to doing something different from what’s in the book, and gets things all muddled up?” (Twain 38). Tom claims that if things are not done his ways then everything will “muddle” or mess up. Tom’s knowledge of books and literature separates him from other characters in the novel which allows him have such an influential role in the plot. Similarly, the ending chapters of the novel reiterate Tom’s dominance over other characters. Tom dismisses almost all of Huck’s inputs and labels them as “not regular”. Upon hearing Huck label Tom’s idea as foolish, Tom responds accordingly: “It don’t make no difference how foolish it is, it’s the right way—and it’s the regular way. . .and I’ve read all the books that gives any information about these things”

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