Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of Eileen. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Eileen Dunlop helps her glamorous new coworker Rebecca after Rebecca kidnaps the mother of a boy at the prison where they work, a mother who allowed her son to be abused. After the confrontation turns violent, Eileen leaves her town for good and never sees Rebecca again.
Quick facts
– Book: Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
– First published: 2015
– Type: A psychological literary novel
– Tone of the ending: Dark and strange
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
In 1964, twenty-four-year-old Eileen works at a boys' prison in a small Massachusetts town and lives with her alcoholic father, a former police officer. She is lonely, self-hating and full of dark fantasies. Rebecca Saint John, the prison's new education director, befriends her, and Eileen becomes obsessed with her.
What Happens at the End of Eileen
One winter night, Rebecca invites Eileen to her house, where she has tied up Mrs. Polk, the mother of a prisoner named Lee. Rebecca believes Mrs. Polk let her husband abuse Lee. Eileen brings her father's gun. The situation escalates, and Mrs. Polk is shot. Rebecca asks Eileen to help cover it up. Eileen agrees but then drives away, leaving town. Decades later, the older Eileen reflects on her escape.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Rebecca's plan is revenge on an abuser.
- Eileen uses the moment to escape her life.
- The violence frees her from her town.
- The older Eileen narrates without regret.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Eileen Dunlop | Leaves town forever |
| Rebecca Saint John | Left behind with the crime |
| Mrs. Polk | Shot during the confrontation |
| Eileen's father | Left alone |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows Eileen breaking free from her stifling life, though in a violent way.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Some readers find the ending abrupt, while others see it as a dark coming-of-age story. Eileen's narration is unreliable.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Escape. Eileen's goal is to leave her life.
Obsession. Her fixation on Rebecca drives her.
Abuse. The story deals with family cruelty.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of Eileen as dark and strange. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Ottessa Moshfegh to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are dark and strange will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Ottessa Moshfegh closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2023 film with Thomasin McKenzie and Anne Hathaway changes some details of the ending.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading Eileen with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about escape, and do you agree with Ottessa Moshfegh's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as dark and strange, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces escape and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Ottessa Moshfegh leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in Eileen often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of Eileen earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of Eileen on Amazon
Books to Read After Eileen
- My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
- The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Related: Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like Eileen You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of Eileen?
Eileen Dunlop helps her glamorous new coworker Rebecca after Rebecca kidnaps the mother of a boy at the prison where they work, a mother who allowed her son to be abused. After the confrontation turns violent, Eileen leaves her town for good and never sees Rebecca again.
Is the ending of Eileen happy or sad?
Most readers call it dark and strange.
What does the ending of Eileen mean?
The ending shows Eileen breaking free from her stifling life, though in a violent way.
Is the ending of Eileen the same in the adaptation?
The 2023 film with Thomasin McKenzie and Anne Hathaway changes some details of the ending.
Who wrote Eileen and when was it published?
Eileen was written by Ottessa Moshfegh and first published in 2015.
Is Eileen worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy psychological literary novels. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Ottessa Moshfegh prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read Eileen before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.