We sure can't accuse Twain of leaving us hanging at the end of this novel. The Southern gentleman courteously includes an entire "Conclusion" devoted to filling us in how everything turned out for Pudd'nhead, Roxy, and the rest of the Dawson's Landing crew.
And, of course, he saves the best for last:
As soon as the Governor understood the case, he pardoned Tom at once, and the creditors sold him down the river. (Conclusion.8)
Wow. Let's all take a minute to let that sink in.
Okay, now, we might be tempted to laugh our heads off at this final line, delighted by the irony that the guy who had the gumption to sell his own mother down the river has gotten a taste of his own medicine. That's called justice, right?
On the other hand, we may not be so quick to burst into a giggle fit. After all, by the time we get to the end of this book, we've gotten a pretty good sense of just how cruel and absurd the institution of slavery was. And we may question whether anyone—even Tom—is deserving of it.
What do you think? Is this a happy or tragic ending?