What Happens at the End of The Broken Locket?

George Peabody is a young man who has been giving free rein to his inclinations, the principal one being drink. One might have concluded he was lost, but there was the chance which the hand of Providence always bestows in the person of pretty little Ruth King, who had secretly loved George since their childhood days. She succeeds in persuading him from his reckless life, and he determines to cut off from his old loose companions by going out West and making a man of himself. Bidding Ruth and her mother good-bye, he realizes that he loves his little preserver and promises to return worthy of her love and confidence. They plight their troth with their first kiss and a heart shaped locket, which Ruth wears, she breaking it in two, giving George one side while she retains the other, which symbolized the reunion of their hearts with his return.

D.W. Griffith's narrative builds toward a resolution centered on Frank Powell (George Peabody)'s journey. One might have concluded he was lost, but there was the chance which the hand of Providence always bestows in the person of pretty little Ruth King, who had secretly loved George since their childhood days.

How Does Frank Powell (George Peabody)'s Story End?

• Frank Powell: Frank Powell's storyline wraps up in the final act, though some viewers have found the resolution more ambiguous than expected.
• Mary Pickford (Ruth King): Mary Pickford's role in the climax proves pivotal to how the central conflict resolves.
• Kate Bruce (Ruth's Mother): Kate Bruce's character undergoes a significant shift in the final act.

What Does the Ending of The Broken Locket Mean?

The ending of The Broken Locket brings the narrative to a close, though viewer reception has been mixed. The resolution of Frank Powell's story may not satisfy all audiences.