The concluding portion of Edith Wharton’s unfinished novel, The Buccaneers, provides narrative closure to the intertwined lives of its main characters. The resolution, whether conceived by Wharton herself or completed by a subsequent author, aims to tie together the various romantic, social, and personal arcs that have developed throughout the story. This element is often crucial to understanding the overall message and impact of a literary work.
Its significance lies in offering a sense of finality and thematic resonance. A well-crafted culmination to a narrative provides the reader with a lasting impression of the author’s intent. It contextualizes earlier events and actions, potentially altering the interpretation of preceding plot points. In the context of historical fiction, it can also serve to comment on the societal norms and expectations of the era depicted.
