Reflection on “1984” Ending

Through moments of great suspense and endless monotony, George Orwell’s 1984 proved a very eye-opening book. The novel was increasingly difficult for me to read and by the close of it I felt wholly defeated. I realized that this reaction is very appropriate and even expected because Orwell’s depiction of a totalitarian society based in hatred and war hysteria is not meant to be a hopeful one. Orwell served his purpose in outlining all of the issues with dictatorial regimes, like Nazi Germany or Communist Russia that were in power during the publication of 1984. Orwell’s purpose was to show the reader the (mostly) average citizen of this society, that being Winston, and his desire to break free of the oppression he has been placed under. The first part of the book outlined the workings of the Party society, the second showed Winston’s beginnings of serious rebellion and the third divulged into his punishment at the Minilove facility where he was beaten down, both physically and in spirit.

I saw the novel as a solid critique of totalitarian regimes, specifically it’s citing of the USSR’s violations of human rights. 1984 proved difficult for me to read seeing that the culture of the Party-world was based in a strict class hierarchy and demanded readers believe that all humans being selfish and power-hungry. This reading is necessary though because denying there is greed and oppression in the world only serves to further hide the existence of greed and oppression.

Ultimately, the ending the of book for me was a difficult one to process. Winston sits in a bar, alone and alcoholic, a human devoid of hope. Upon hearing the news of a great victory for Oceania, Winston leaps up and celebrates wholeheartedly. The final lines of the book prove it’s most powerful. Winston thinks to himself “…everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.” (298). I found the end to be almost ironic in that the reader is lead to believe that Winston might still have some spark in him. Possibly he is celebrating the victory because it may end the endless war, but in actuality Winston has truly attained doublethink and his acceptance of his dictator’s power is the cherry on top of his repentance dessert.