Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Day of the Jackal. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Bookish Wisdom earns from qualifying purchases. This doesn't change our picks or your price.
Quick answer: The Jackal, an English assassin hired by the OAS to kill French President Charles de Gaulle, gets within one shot of success on Liberation Day in Paris in 1963, but de Gaulle bends forward at the last moment and the bullet misses. Detective Claude Lebel bursts in, and the Jackal is shot dead; his true identity is never confirmed.
Quick facts
– Book: The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth
– First published: 1971
– Type: A political thriller
– Tone of the ending: Tense and satisfying
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
The OAS, a French paramilitary group angry about Algerian independence, hires a professional assassin known only as the Jackal. He prepares meticulously, obtaining a custom rifle and false identities. French police, led by the dogged Deputy Commissioner Lebel, try to identify and stop him.
What Happens at the End of The Day of the Jackal
Lebel, given full powers in secret, works patiently with police across Europe and identifies the Jackal as an Englishman travelling under false names. But the Jackal stays one step ahead: he murders a woman who discovered his identity and a man who recognized him, and he changes disguises. On August 25, Liberation Day, he enters Paris disguised as a one-legged French veteran with the rifle hidden in his crutch, and he takes a position in an attic overlooking a medal ceremony. He fires, but at that instant de Gaulle leans forward to kiss a veteran on both cheeks, as is French custom, and the bullet misses. Lebel and a police officer break in, and Lebel kills the Jackal with a submachine gun. Later, British police find that the man they suspected, Charles Calthrop, is alive, so the Jackal's real identity remains unknown.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- The assassination fails.
- Lebel kills the Jackal.
- The Jackal's identity is unknown.
- Lebel retires.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| The Jackal | Killed |
| Claude Lebel | Kills the Jackal |
| Charles de Gaulle | Survives |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows the power of persistence over cunning.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers love the procedural detail of both the assassin's preparations and the police hunt, even though everyone knows de Gaulle survived in real life. The suspense comes from how, not whether.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Determination. Lebel never gives up.
Skill. The Jackal's skill.
Identity. The Jackal's identity.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Day of the Jackal as tense and satisfying. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Frederick Forsyth 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 tense and satisfying will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Frederick Forsyth 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 1973 film follows the ending closely.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Day of the Jackal 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 determination, and do you agree with Frederick Forsyth'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 tense and satisfying, 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 determination 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 Frederick Forsyth 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 The Day of the Jackal often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Day of the Jackal 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 The Day of the Jackal on Amazon
Books to Read After The Day of the Jackal
- The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth
- The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
Related: The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like The Day of the Jackal You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Day of the Jackal?
The Jackal, an English assassin hired by the OAS to kill French President Charles de Gaulle, gets within one shot of success on Liberation Day in Paris in 1963, but de Gaulle bends forward at the last moment and the bullet misses. Detective Claude Lebel bursts in, and the Jackal is shot dead; his true identity is never confirmed.
Is the ending of The Day of the Jackal happy or sad?
Most readers call it tense and satisfying.
What does the ending of The Day of the Jackal mean?
The ending shows the power of persistence over cunning.
Is the ending of The Day of the Jackal the same in the adaptation?
The 1973 film follows the ending closely.
Who wrote The Day of the Jackal and when was it published?
The Day of the Jackal was written by Frederick Forsyth and first published in 1971.
Is The Day of the Jackal worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy political thrillers. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Frederick Forsyth prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Day of the Jackal before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.