Book 3 Chapter 4-6

"He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark moustache. O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self-willed exile from the loving breast! 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" (Pg. 245)

Response:

                 I've never actually discovered an ideal ending of a story. At least for me there is no such thing as an ideal ending. In 1984, Winston survived room 101, the living hell room. But did he really survive? No. Physically he was fine, but mentally he was dead. The character was basically dead. He no longer possessed any beliefs or original opinions. He longer had any more freedom. It just ruined the entire story, and made me get a little agitated because all the development of the character was just gone, and the whole story turned 180 degrees. I would still be unsatisfied even if Winston died with his beliefs, but watching him lose his individuality was kind of worse in a way. In essence, I lost interest in the book and hated the ending. Maybe if it had an ending where Winston creates a secret underground movement and dies from lukimia a couple years later, or something like that, would provide satisfaction for me. But as far as how things ended, my ratings went down to 3.9 stars.