How many of you were satisfied with the ending? I've just finished the book this very day and i myself love the book but i have just want to know how other people feel about the entire book. I'm talking about how satisfied you were all together with the ending or if you thought you could have done better?
I loved the book, I was glad I read it, but I'm not sure I'm following you. Are you asking about the ending in particular, or the feeling one has after reading the ending and having finished the book?
The ending in itself is nice, perfectly fit for the story, and the book is great. I think that Orwell knew exactly what he was doing when he wrote it (i.e. everything he wanted to tell it's there). So, considering what the book was supposed to be, then no, I don't think it's missing anything. On the other hand, regarding what it could have been, then yes, I believe there was room for improvement, but there's no discernable way to tell, really.
Ningún hombre llega a ser lo que es por lo que escribe, sino por lo que lee.
- Jorge Luis Borges
Yes I agree with Crisaor. The fact that Orwell end the story by telling readers that eventually Winston loves the BB is a shocking thing IMO. It'd be different if Winston thought that he loved the BB and went on living.. there's nothing special about it.
The ending had to be as it was, because without Winston admitting that he loved Big Brother, he would have kept on being defied and his attempts at individuality and difference would all be quashed by the undeniable loyalty to Big Brother that everybody around him shared. The book would consequently ramble, and not be as shocking and gut-wrenching as it is today. I consider 1984 to be Orwell's most defining work, though not as easily accessible to readers as Animal Farm. With 1984, Orwell followed in tradition with the more subtle Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley. And Orwell also paved the way for yet another classic (at least for me), by a much more diversified author, Ray Bradbury and Fahrenheit 451. All three had excellent endings, in my opinion, and I would recommend any one of them to someone who wanted a controversial read.
Yes, 1984, Fahrenheit 51, and Brave New World are all awesome. But speaking of endings, I didnt understand exactly what happened in the ending of Brave New World. I would ask about it, but that would lead to spoilers...maybe I'll just go to the Brave New World forum and ask, lol.
Was anybody else reminded of McMurphy's lobotomy when Winston said that he loved Big Brother? It's almost like O'brien gave him a spiritual lobotomy.
Yes, but One Flew Over the Cuckoos nest was much sadder I felt.Originally Posted by deezee84
i think that the ending is very logical one...it couldn't be any other ending because the latter refers to the reality, to what is going on nowdays...
The end is different to the conventional heroic stories and I beleive this is what made 1984 so big and popular, it was something out of the unexpected and the end where he looses his feelings for Julia and admits he loves big brother.... people could argue that this is another example of doublethink and he only said he loved big brother so he wouldn't get killed? is anyone with me here?
Nope.
Winston's mind has been completely destroyed and re-programmed.
Orwell could not have made that clearer.
Go to work, get married, have some kids, pay your taxes, pay your bills, watch your tv, follow fashion, act normal, obey the law and repeat after me: "I am free."
Anon
hmm true but is this more than an assumption? Is there extract from the text itself that backups your point Atheist?
Sure.
If you haven't read Orwell's essay, Politics and the English Language, I suggest you check it out. I'd bet on it being in any Orwell anthology at a public library - in reality, it's probably his greatest work.
Orwell didn't like misdirection, he hated vagueness and self-confessedly used English as a surgeon's scalpel. (with the same precision)
The last paragraph in the book is unequivocal:
I just can't see any way of reading that than as complete victory. Even when he was wrong, Orwell was totally convinced of his moral and intellectual opinion - that's one of the things which set him apart from most other writers.He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark mustache. O cruel needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self-willed exile from the loving beast. Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.
The other thing is, it isn't a horror story without Winston being utterly destroyed, and Orwell most assuredly wanted it to be a horror story. Unlike Animal Farm, where you can almost extrapolate a happy ending - and thanks to modern [?] Russia, we can see evidence that a happy ending is a possibility - Orwell doesn't want us to see that in 1984 a happy ending is even the minutest chance, he wants us to be good and scared of the prospects of totalitarianism.
Worked!
Go to work, get married, have some kids, pay your taxes, pay your bills, watch your tv, follow fashion, act normal, obey the law and repeat after me: "I am free."
Anon
the end is extremely depressing, yes, and it tends to make people dislike the book. but honestly, i think it's the best ending that could've been. it's not some fantasy where the hero always prevails, and everyone lives happily ever after. his spirit is broken...it's what would happen. it's what does happen a lot more than people would like to think. i really believe that the ending given was incredible. not necessarily a happy one or a heart warming one to anyone but party-like freaks, but a good one nonetheless.
proud thoughtcriminal
"under the spreading chestnut tree/i sold you and you sold me/there lie they and here lie we/under the spreading chestnut tree
freedom is the freedom to say 2+2=4
i understand how, i do not understand why
Julia: "I'm not interested in the next generation, dear. I'm interested in us.
Winston: "You're only a rebel from the waist downwards."
I'm looking to write songs based on 1984. if you want to help or think you can give some insight let me know.
I am with you, i believe that this is an example, and that it is doublethink.
Agree entirely. It was the best way of underlining the invincibility of the Party.
Go to work, get married, have some kids, pay your taxes, pay your bills, watch your tv, follow fashion, act normal, obey the law and repeat after me: "I am free."
Anon
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