The paper explains that, upon stripping away the novel's main plot line and organizing it instead into theme-based instances,
the novel's ending makes perfect sense because, although Huck and Tom are best friends, Twain uses Tom as a counterpart to Huck, not a compliment. The author argues that the true gauge of a novel's success comes from an
understanding of the author's intent. Although Twain was famous for his ironic humor, when motive, moral, and especially plot, are taken away from "Huckleberry Finn", what is left is merely a comment on life. Morals or ethics create the controversy about racism; thus, Twain critiques
civilization. The paper stresses understanding Twain's ultimate comment: without change, civilization will destroy itself. With this understanding, the reintroduction of Tom and his fabulously intricate adventure at the end of the novel creates the perfect finish to Huck's wonderful quest for freedom down the Mississippi.