# XXVI: How It Ended explained — Black Beauty

> Chapter companion for Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

## What happens

After Reuben Smith's drunken ride leads to his fatal fall from Black Beauty, the horse is found with severe injuries. An inquest clears Black Beauty of blame, and Reuben's widow Susan is left destitute, forced to enter the workhouse with her six children.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Cycle of Misfortune

Reuben's death from drink leads to his family's destitution, continuing the pattern of suffering that follows from human vices.

### Animal Welfare and Cruelty

Black Beauty is severely injured due to Reuben's reckless drunkenness, highlighting the physical toll on horses from human negligence.

## Character check-ins

### Black Beauty

Suffers severe cuts to knees and hoof after falling with Reuben Smith; limps home in great pain and undergoes painful treatment.

### Ginger

Returns with the dogcart and stands still as a stone during the grim task of loading Reuben's body.

### Reuben Smith

Found dead on the road after a drunken ride; his body is taken home in the dogcart.

### Robert

The groom who leads Black Beauty home, speaking kindly and tending to his wounds.

### Ned

Assists Robert; drives the dogcart carrying Reuben's body back to Earlshall.

### Susan

Reuben's widow, grief-stricken and forced into the workhouse with her six children after his death.

## Key lines

> It is Reuben, and he does not stir!

One of the men identifies the body as Reuben and notes he is motionless.

_Discovery of Reuben's body on the road._

> He's dead, feel how cold his hands are.

The other man confirms Reuben is dead, noting the coldness of his hands.

_Confirmation of Reuben's death._

> Why, the horse has been down and thrown him! Who would have thought the black horse would have done that?

Robert expresses surprise that Black Beauty, known for sure-footedness, could have fallen and thrown Reuben.

_Initial assumption that Black Beauty caused the fall._

> I'm afraid it has been the old thing over again.

Robert suspects Reuben was drunk again, as had happened before.

_Recognition of Reuben's recurring drunkenness._

> Oh! he was so good—so good! It was all that cursed drink; why will they sell that cursed drink?

Susan laments her husband's goodness and blames alcohol for his downfall, questioning why it is sold.

_Susan's grief and condemnation of drink._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters/part-ii-xxvi-how-it-ended
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/black_beauty_se/chapters