Literature

If I could rewrite the ending of a famous novel, I would choose “1984” by George Orwell. The original ending is bleak, with Winston Smith ultimately getting broken by the oppressive regime of Big Brother, leading to his complete submission and loss of individual thought.

Original Ending

In the original ending, Winston is tortured into betraying his lover Julia and finally comes to love Big Brother, signifying the regime’s absolute power and the futility of resistance. The novel closes with a sense of hopelessness, as Winston’s spirit is utterly crushed.

Revised Ending

In my version, the ending would offer a glimmer of hope. Instead of fully succumbing to the regime, Winston manages to retain a small part of his rebellious spirit. Here’s how I would change it:

After enduring intense torture, Winston is released, seemingly broken. However, instead of a complete transformation, he retains a hidden spark of resistance. This is revealed through subtle actions and thoughts. For instance, while he publicly conforms and expresses love for Big Brother, he secretly begins to write a journal again, documenting the truth as he sees it. This time, he uses a more secure method, such as coded language or a hidden location.

Julia, too, is shown to have retained some of her rebellious nature. The novel ends with a clandestine meeting between Winston and Julia, where they exchange a fleeting, meaningful glance, suggesting a mutual understanding and a continued, albeit covert, resistance.

Impact

This revised ending would still acknowledge the tremendous power and reach of totalitarian regimes, but it would also emphasise the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring possibility of resistance. It would leave readers with a sense of hope and the idea that, even in the darkest of times, the fight for freedom and truth can continue in small, seemingly insignificant ways. This subtle act of defiance would suggest that while the regime can control actions, it cannot completely extinguish thoughts and the innate desire for freedom.