The ending of George Orwell’s 1984 is one of the most devastating conclusions in modern literature. After resisting the Party’s control, Winston Smith is captured, tortured, and reconditioned until he not only obeys Big Brother but genuinely loves him. The final line, “He loved Big Brother,” is not a declaration of freedom but proof of total defeat. Understanding the ending is crucial because it reveals Orwell’s warning about the terrifying potential of absolute power and psychological control.
Winston’s Journey Toward Rebellion
The ending cannot be understood without tracing Winston’s path from resistance to submission.
Early defiance
Winston begins the novel with small acts of rebellion.
- He secretly writes in a diary, seeking truth beyond Party propaganda.
- He pursues a love affair with Julia, hoping to assert his individuality.
The illusion of hope
For a time, Winston believes resistance is possible.
- His relationship with Julia gives him strength.
- The idea of the Brotherhood offers the possibility of organized rebellion.
Orwell builds this sense of fragile hope to make Winston’s ultimate defeat even more devastating.
The Role of the Ministry of Love
Winston’s transformation occurs within the Ministry of Love, where torture and reeducation erase his resistance.
Torture as reprogramming
The Party uses pain not just to punish but to break identity.
- Physical suffering forces Winston to betray Julia.
- His love and loyalty are redirected toward Big Brother.
O’Brien as the enforcer
O’Brien, once seen as an ally, embodies the Party’s manipulative power.
- He convinces Winston that truth itself is malleable.
- He explains that the Party seeks power for its own sake, not for progress or justice.
Room 101 and the Fear of Betrayal
Room 101 is the novel’s most terrifying symbol, representing the thing each prisoner fears most.
Winston’s greatest fear
For Winston, Room 101 contains rats.
- Confronted with this primal terror, he abandons his last loyalty.
- He begs the torture to be inflicted on Julia instead of him.
The collapse of resistance
This moment is the climax of Winston’s defeat.
- Betrayal destroys his bond with Julia.
- With no personal ties left, Winston becomes fully devoted to the Party.
The Final Scene in the Chestnut Tree Café
The novel closes with Winston sitting alone, drinking gin at the Chestnut Tree Café.
Emptiness and despair
Winston is physically alive but spiritually hollow.
- His rebellion has been erased from memory and meaning.
- He embodies the Party’s ability to destroy the self while keeping the body alive.
The final acceptance
The last line, “He loved Big Brother,” confirms his complete transformation.
- It is not sarcasm or irony but genuine submission.
- The Party has succeeded in controlling not just Winston’s actions but his very thoughts.
What the Ending Reveals About Orwell’s Message
Orwell’s conclusion is deliberately bleak, serving as a warning rather than a resolution.
The triumph of totalitarianism
The Party’s victory demonstrates how a regime can annihilate individuality.
- Resistance is crushed not only physically but psychologically.
- Love, truth, and loyalty are redefined to serve power.
Power for its own sake
O’Brien’s speeches clarify the Party’s philosophy.
- The goal is not wealth or stability but absolute control.
- The ending proves this philosophy works: Winston is living proof.
Why the Ending Still Resonates Today
The conclusion of 1984 is relevant because it highlights the dangers of manipulation, propaganda, and surveillance.
Modern implications
- The erosion of truth in media echoes Orwell’s warnings about controlled narratives.
- Mass surveillance technologies reflect the “Big Brother” society.
Universal lesson
The ending teaches that freedom requires constant vigilance.
- Without resistance, even human thought can be reshaped.
- Orwell warns that submission to unchecked authority leads to spiritual annihilation.
FAQs: Understanding the Ending of 1984
Here are some questions and answers about the conclusion of George Orwell’s 1984.
Why does Winston betray Julia?
Winston betrays Julia because the Party uses his greatest fear—rats in Room 101—to break him. Under extreme terror, he begs for Julia to take his place, destroying their bond.
Does Winston die at the end?
Winston does not die physically, but he suffers a symbolic death. His individuality, rebellion, and humanity are erased, leaving only loyalty to Big Brother.
What is the significance of “He loved Big Brother”?
The final line signifies complete surrender. Winston no longer pretends or resists; he genuinely loves Big Brother, proving the Party’s total dominance.
What does Room 101 represent?
Room 101 represents the ultimate fear of each prisoner. By exploiting personal phobias, the Party ensures absolute submission and betrayal of personal loyalties.
Why is the ending of 1984 so bleak?
Orwell wanted to warn readers about the dangers of unchecked authoritarian power. The hopeless ending drives home the message that freedom and individuality are fragile and can be destroyed.
Key takeaway: The ending of 1984 shows Winston’s complete psychological defeat, transforming him from a rebel into a loyal servant of Big Brother. Far from offering hope, Orwell delivers a stark warning about the terrifying strength of totalitarian systems—and the human cost when truth and individuality are erased.