The ending to Podkayne of Mars must be one of the most contested ending of any of Heinlein's works. But for once, not contested by scholars nor by critics, but by the fans of Heinlein, the ones that love and understood his work the best.
When Podkayne was first submitted to his editor, Heinlein knew that he would have to change the ending of Poddy to make it acceptable for the readers. For who wants to read a story about a charming (if silly) heroine that dies rather pointlessly at the end? Who wouldn't rather have our beloved Poddy live, albeit in a coma, hooked up to machines, while we breathlessly awaiting for her to awaken, once again, to bring joy and love into our lives? Who indeed...
I for one, believe that dear, beloved, adorable Poddy must die.
No, wait! Don't snarl at me! Poddy must die. Not because I am a purist and this is what Heinlein originally wrote. Not because I'm sadistic and wants to see such a darling kitten of a girl to die. It is because, only with her death could Poddy do the one thing that she strived for while alive. To save her brother Clarke's immortal (and immoral) soul.
Clarke is the annoying younger brother that is the bane of Poddy's, otherwise perfect, existence. With a father trapped in the past, and a mother trapped in the future, Poddy becomes Clarke's sole parent and moral compass. But Poddy herself is merely a child and although she tries her best, she can not instill the mores and values into her strange brother. Values and mores that seem so apparent to her. Through out the story, she keeps an eye out for Clarke, and in her own clumsy way, tries to protect him and shield him from the dangers of the "evil" that is growing within him.
Clarke is a frightening individual. He has a complete lack of morals and a casual disregard for anyone beyond himself. He routinely finds ways to disobey authority and does not seem to think that rules, laws, nor morals apply to him. The only aberration from his alarming sociopathic behavior, is his attitude toward his sister, Poddy. Although he shows disrespect toward her intelligence and at times dismisses her harping, Clarke obviously loves his sister, and cares about her well-being and survival beyond his own.
While on the ship, Poddy complains to Clarke about Mrs. Rogers' horrendous remarks about her and their family, Clarke flew into a cold rage and "avenged" Poddy for her. And later, when they were escaping the clutches of Mrs. Grew, he gave her the tracker and the gun, giving her a better chance at survival. This self-sacrifice is not typical Clarke behavior. And finally, when they find Poddy and the little baby fairy, Ariel, Clarke, against everything we have learned about him, takes care of the baby, as a reminder of Poddy. Even though Clarke attempts to "explain away" his actions, they are incredibly paltry when measured up against his normal actions. He had a softness and begrudging respect for his sister, who he admits "can be sensible about things". She was his last bastion of humanity.
Podkayne Fries, appropriately named after the Martian saint of salvation, had to die because her death would be the only thing that could jar Clarke out of his anti-social behavior so he may rejoin the human race. Podkayne had to be the savior that she was named after, because she was the only force that can redeem Clarke and hold him accountable for his actions. When they finally find Poddy and Uncle Tom tries to console him, Clarke admits that he wishes that Uncle Tom would hit him. Such an action would allow him to reject the remorse he felt. but Uncle Tom does not, and eventually admits that he wishes that he knew how to cry. He shows that he has learned his lesson, and that he will attempt to grow up to be the person that Poddy wished for him to be while she was alive by taking care of the baby fairy, Ariel, and showed her the tenderness and care that he had shown only to Poddy before.
With her alive, he is able to do as he wishes, for he knows that Poddy will accept all responsibility for his actions. She was his conscience and his guardian angel. With her death, he has no choice but to find within himself a conscience and to accept the morals that he so carelessly defies.
I adore Poddy, and in many ways, wish that I could be such a strong and charming creature such as her, but because I understand her character so well, I understand and accept that Poddy's death is inevitable. Poddy understood that she was dying during the tape that she made before her death, telling Clarke to care for the baby fairy, and telling everyone that she loved them. Clarke understood the message that she was saying, and only with her death, would he understand the full impact of Poddy's sacrifice.
Poddy, I'm sure, would agree...